The Mysterious Benedict Society, Book One Novel Study (Flex Class)
In this five-week flex study class, students will read the first book in The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart, learn vocabulary, and participate in the study and analysis of the book.
Kara Ferguson
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:(3)
What's included
Class Experience
There are NO live meetings for this class. Each week for five weeks, students will be guided through a study of The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart with videos that I have pre-recorded, along with games and quizzes (on Nearpod), group discussions, and more! The materials will be posted weekly, and you can view them during the week at your convenience. From Amazon.com: "For fans of Lemony Snicket and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, this first book in the bestselling, award-winning Mysterious Benedict Society Series is not to be missed! "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children--two boys and two girls--succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. But what they'll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies. So, if you're gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably use your help." Classes include (lessons are posted weekly): +weekly recorded videos +activities and discussions posted throughout the week (most are completed in Nearpod) +learners can post in the classroom or message the teacher The entire world is struggling with The Emergency. What is The Emergency, exactly? No one knows for sure, but it's terrible! Mr. Benedict, a kind and brilliant man, and his team are assembling an extraordinary group of secret agents (children!) to infiltrate the institute he suspects is causing The Emergency. Can the children determine the source of broadcasts Mr. Benedict thinks are causing The Emergency? Will they be discovered? Let's find out together! We'll study vocabulary, characters, and their relationships, and discuss themes in the book. Our classwork (homework and activities) will be available on Nearpod unless otherwise noted in the classroom. All videos will be posted by 12 pm (central time) each Monday during our flexible schedule class. Week One +Classroom introduction, prereading activity, and handout +Pre-reading blog: Wikipedia & Scientific American (topic: subliminal messaging) +Video instruction with Outschool class discussion about irony +Independant reading of chapters 1-4 +Classwork including vocabulary study, poll, and concept checking questions +Interactive web activities: vocabulary review, Kate's bucket activity +Quiz Week Two +Video instruction with Outschool class discussion about cliffhangers and spatial descriptions +Independant reading of chapters 5-11 +Classwork including vocabulary study, story boards, and concept checking questions +Interactive web activities: vocabulary review, morse code +Project: institute map Week Three +Video instruction with Outschool class discussion about characterization +Independant reading of chapters 12-19 +Classwork including vocabulary study, characterization Venn diagram, and concept checking questions +Interactive web activities: vocabulary review, word search, and prediction poll +Quiz Week Four +Video instruction with Outschool class discussion about flashbacks and foreshadowing +Independant reading of chapters 20-31 +Classwork including vocabulary study, cause and effect, foreshadowing, and concept checking questions +Interactive web activities: vocabulary review, crossword +Project: Identifying Gifted Children Week Five +Video instruction with Outschool class discussion about final chapters +Independant reading of chapters 32-39 +Classwork including vocabulary study, story elements, sharing opinions, and concept checking questions +Interactive web activities: vocabulary review, matching game +Final quiz In my classroom, we practice the THINK! philosophy: T — Is it true? H — Is it helpful? I — Is it inspiring? N — Is it necessary? K — Is it kind? ! — We treat others how we want to be treated! ***Nearpod*** Nearpod is required to participate in class. Detailed instructions and a class code with be provided prior to class.
Learning Goals
Students will practice independent reading, then analyze and discuss the text by discussing vocabulary, setting, plot, and characters.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
***Nearpod***
Nearpod is required to participate in class. Detailed instructions and a class code with be provided before class.
The Mysterious Benedict Society, Book One, is recommended for ages 9+. Common Sense Media also recommends age 9+. They rate it as a two out of five for violence and scariness but note that it stands out for positive messages and role models. You can read the complete CSM review here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-mysterious-benedict-society
***Wikipedia*** As part of our pre-reading activity, students will review this article (subliminal stimuli: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subliminal_stimuli ). It will be provided via Nearpod, and students will not need to sign in to Wikipedia or visit the site directly.
As part of our week two activities, students will review this article (Morse code: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morse_code). It will be provided via Nearpod, and students will not need to sign in to Wikipedia or visit the site directly.
***scientificamerican.com*** As part of our pre-reading activity, students will review this article (A Short History of the Rise, Fall and Rise of Subliminal Messaging: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-short-history-of-the-rise-fall-and-rise-of-subliminal-messaging/ ). It will be provided via Nearpod, and students will not need to create an account or sign in to Scientific American.
***history.com*** As part of our week two activities, students will review this article (Morse Code & the Telegraph: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-short-history-of-the-rise-fall-and-rise-of-subliminal-messaging/ ). It will be provided via Nearpod, and students will not need to create an account or sign in to Scientific American.
Supply List
The Mysterious Benedict Society (book one) by Trenton Lee Stewart (buy a copy or check it out from your local library) Nearpod (details will be provided before class begins) handouts may be provided by the teacher Wikipedia scientificamerican.com history.com
3 files available upon enrollment
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
The Mysterious Benedict Society (book one) by Trenton Lee Stewart (buy a copy or check it out from your local library)
Nearpod (details will be provided before class begins)
handouts may be provided by the teacher
Wikipedia
scientificamerican.com
history.com
Joined August, 2021
4.7
3reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I love sharing my passion for English, Art, and learning! I have a Bachelor's of Liberal Studies with concentrations in English and Art History. In addition to my degree, I have a 120-hour TEFL (Teaching English as Foreign Language) certification. During the school year, I work as a K-12 substitute teacher.
As a freelance editor and conference speaker, I have helped people improve their English since 2015. I have worked one-on-one with native and non-native English speakers within the tech industry to improve their written English. As a conference speaker, I lecture on grammar, usage, and the evolving nature of language. I have even given a conference talk on a cruise ship in international waters! In 2020, I began teaching English as a Foreign Language to children and working with teenagers and adults on their conversational English.
My favorite hobby is reading, but I also enjoy playing board games, spending time outdoors, and working in my garden. I recently decided to test my green thumb by expanding my garden beyond flowers and ornamental plants; now, I have a vegetable and herb garden!
In my classroom, we make mistakes (that's how we learn things). My classroom uses the THINK philosophy:
T -- Is it true?
H -- Is it helpful?
I -- Is it inspiring?
N -- Is it necessary?
K -- Is it kind?
I want my students to enjoy their time with me, and I hope when they leave my classroom, they do so with a spark of passion for whatever topic we've explored together.Reviews
Live Group Class
$12
weekly5 weeks
Completed by 1 learner
No live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
