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The Notables Book Club: Discuss the Top High School Novels in Socratic Seminars

Completed by 8 learners
Ages 14-18
Live Group Class
Join us for a novel study of a classic or notable novel! High school students will read the top books of all time, seeking to answer an essential question and participating in a discussion.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(686 reviews)
Popular
Rising Star

Live video meetings
1x per week
3-8 learners per class
45 min

What's included

1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per week
Homework
4+ hours per week. Students will do all of the reading outside of class. This will require 20-30 minutes of reading each day.
Assessment
Upon request, I can provide you with an English / Literature grade based upon participation in the discussion and a written response to the literature in a paragraph answering the essential question. If you need a grade for more formal essay writing, I can provide that if students add on "Essay Writing 911." Just reach out with your request.

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner - Advanced Level
An essential part of high school English is the study of notable novels. These works of literature may be notable for the longevity of their influence, exceptional quality, contribution to culture, or typical of an era, people, or movement. Learners explore the pages of literary masterpieces that have shaped cultures, stirred emotions, and inspired generations. In this ongoing class, we work through notable novels, and the teacher gives learners essential questions to answer as they read. In the live class, we come together for discussion. The idea is to read broadly, deeply, and regularly while thinking about deeper life questions that literature brings to bear. The live meetings provide accountability for students to read as well as the opportunity to intelligently discuss literature and how what they read has modern-day applications in understanding themselves or the world in which they live. Students are not expected to "learn a lesson" from each novel; rather, we want them to think about the issues presented by the author and determine whether or not they agree or disagree with the author's worldview. Students will analyze literary devices, figurative language, story elements, characterization, theme, the author's craft, etc., and attempt to answer the essential questions. 

**𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛𝙛-𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙨!**

🤓 HOMEWORK / READING EXPECTATIONS: 
Students will do all of the reading outside of class, and they will complete their book according to the reading schedule. 


📆 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝑪𝑯𝑬𝑫𝑼𝑳𝑬: 
If you think we're missing some obvious titles, they are likely in our other book club aimed at readers ages 12-15: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘊𝘭𝘶𝘣: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘰𝘱 100 𝘕𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦. 
https://outschool.com/classes/the-bucket-list-book-club-the-top-100-novels-of-all-time-Txn3SbcZ?usid=0BAnv5zn&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link

🧛‍♂️ 𝕋ℍℝ𝕀𝕃𝕃𝔼ℝ𝕊:
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
NO CLASS
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
NO CLASS
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
NO CLASS
Deathwatch by Robb White
NO CLASS
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Duman
NO CLASS
Dracula by Bram Stoker
NO CLASS
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
NO CLASS
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
NO CLASS


🌄 𝔸𝔻𝕍𝔼ℕ𝕋𝕌ℝ𝔼𝕊:
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fennimore Cooper
NO CLASS
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Duman
NO CLASS
Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
NO CLASS
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket by Edgar Allan Poe
NO CLASS
The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
NO CLASS
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
NO CLASS
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
NO CLASS
Ivanhoe by Walter Scott
NO CLASS
King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard
NO CLASS

🔥 𝔻𝕐𝕊𝕋𝕆ℙ𝕀𝔸ℕ:
1984 by George Orwell
NO CLASS
Animal Farm by George Orwell
NO CLASS
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
NO CLASS
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
NO CLASS
Divergent by Veronica Roth
NO CLASS
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
NO CLASS
Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
NO CLASS

💙 ℂ𝕃𝔸𝕊𝕊𝕀ℂ𝕊:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
NO CLASS
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
NO CLASS
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
NO CLASS
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
NO CLASS
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
NO CLASS
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
NO CLASS
The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
NO CLASS
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
NO CLASS
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
NO CLASS

🧬 𝕊ℂ𝕀𝔼ℕℂ𝔼 𝔽𝕀ℂ𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ:
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
NO CLASS
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
NO CLASS

HISTORIAL FICTION: 

MYSTERY: 

JOURNEY: 

COMEDY: 

AMERICAN HISTORY / FOUNDING DOCUMENTS:

Learning Goals

Read broadly and deeply.
Discuss novels with peers in a Socratic Seminar.

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Many high school novels have mature themes, such as murder, violence, suicide, revenge, licentiousness, alcohol, death, prejudices, racism, guilt, betrayal, etc., and are intended for mature secondary students. The literature we do read is classic and is commonly read in high schools. The novels help students understand the world in which they live as they ponder deep questions that are as relevant now as they were then. Through experience, training, sensitivity, and compassion, I choose quality literature that helps students understand themselves and the world in which they live a little better as they consider various cultures, perspectives, and ideas. Sensitive material and themes are handled with respect for the humanity and dignity of all individuals. Historical context is important and the way ideas change over time can be considered. A particular religion or a belief system is neither favored nor advanced by me as I strive for neutrality; however, students are freely allowed to share their own opinions and worldviews. And they will be respected. It is my job to get students thinking, not to indoctrinate. Parents are welcome to listen in to class or to watch the recording, which I automatically post. I encourage students to talk to their parents about the literature and the issues we discuss. Novels are written with a Lexile score between 700-1400. Parents are welcome to listen in to class or to watch the recording, which I automatically post. I encourage students to talk to their parents about the novels and the issues we discuss.
Supply List
Please look at the schedule of novels in the listing. Students will need to borrow or buy each book.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Offered by

Joined June, 2020
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686reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Alaska Teaching Certificate in Foreign Language
Becky Padgett
New York Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Kimberly Parinisi
Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Kimberly Parinisi
Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Jenn Riale
Washington Teaching Certificate in Foreign Language
Karen Lemons
Washington Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Karen Lemons
Washington Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Karen Lemons
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Makenna Spry
Missouri Teaching Certificate
Ali Marie
Tennessee Teaching Certificate in Science
Danielle Mortimore
Master's Degree in Education from Liberty University
Karen Lemons
Master's Degree in Education from Western Governors University
Danielle Mortimore
Bachelor's Degree from Purdue University
Becky Padgett
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Philadelphia College of Bible
Kimberly Parinisi
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Millersville University
Jenn Riale
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Liberty University
Kristen Freeman
Bachelor's Degree in English from Florida State University
Karen Lemons
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Catawba College
Makenna Spry
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Missouri State University
Ali Marie
Bachelor's Degree in Music from Western Connecticut State University
Blake Dahlmeyer
Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Government from Patrick Henry College
Brian Smyth
Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from Middle Tennessee State University
Danielle Mortimore
Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from University of Northwestern - St. Paul
Kendra Mancuso
Mrs. Lemons has a B.A. in English/Literature and an M.Ed in Education Administration. She has a teaching and principal's license and is endorsed to teach English and History. She has many years of experience teaching in public and private schools at every level, including undergraduate and graduate students at Colorado Christian University seeking their teaching licenses. She is a teacher of teachers. 

As we approach sensitive topics and issues, I fall back on my English literature education degree, teacher training, and years of English teaching experience. We analyze the historical context in which novels were written, the author's background and worldview, and the story's time period. Discussion is focused on what the characters believe, what the author believed, and what beliefs were central to literary periods of time, such as the romantics or even the dark romantics. Students' various ideas and opinions are respected. 

Reviews

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