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The Scarlet Pimpernel: Novel Study and Essay

In this fun English class, we read "The Scarlet Pimpernel," trace the lineage of Batman and other heroes, and write a compare-contrast essay.
Tassie Bauman Smith
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(412)
Class

What's included

4 live meetings
3 hrs 40 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

The Scarlet Pimpernel is a fun romp through 18th century France and England.  Baroness Orczy was one of the primary contributors to the development of the masked hero.  This novel from 1905 even predates Zorro.  In this fun class, we will read through the novel, improve our vocabulary, and work on writing a compare/contrast essay.  

Students will read the book the Scarlet Pimpernel across the course of four weeks.  We will discuss important vocabulary words from the chapters we read, discuss the plot and character development and continue preparing/working on our compare/contrast essay for the last class. 

Week 1: Students will read the assigned chapters before class.  We will discuss the plot, characters and vocabulary and pick topics for our essays.
Week 2: Students will read the assigned chapters before class.  We will discuss the plot, characters and vocabulary and learn more about the structure of a compare/contrast essay. Students will turn in an outline for homework.
Week 3: Students will finish the novel and one of the movie options before class.  We will discuss the plot, characters and vocabulary and learn more about the development of masked heroes.  Rough drafts of the essay are due this week. 
Week 4: Students will present their essays to the class.  We will have a final discussion comparing and contrasting Batman and The Scarlet Pimpernel if there is time.

Learning Goals

Students will gain a new appreciation for the novel the Scarlet Pimpernel, recognize its role in bringing forward our modern day superhero culture, and write a compare/contrast essay.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
There is a significant amount of melodrama, violence and romance in the book. There is heavy use of euphemism and some British curse words in the book (For example, "zounds" and "gads.") I would the books rating on a modern scale of around PG-13. There is also a prejudiced/very negative depiction of an elderly Jew by the antagonists. The book's take is to make fun of their prejudice. We will discuss the issue of anti-semitism briefly.
Supply List
Students will need to purchase a copy of the Scarlet Pimpernel.  Students can purchase, rent or use Youtube to watch the movie.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined September, 2019
5.0
412reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I teach all kinds of English classes including writing, grammar, literature, and ESL.  I am an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction especially poetry, science fiction, and fantasy. 

I have been teaching for more than 10 years.  I taught English as Foreign Language in three different Chinese universities for a total of eight and a half years.  These classes included comprehensive English, listening and speaking, writing, and pronunciation.  I taught BA, MA, and Ph.D. students.  Since we have returned to the United States, I have taught childbirth classes, online ESL through VIPkid, and Sunday School.   

I am also a professional writer.  I have a traditionally published book, another at my publisher waiting to be edited, and a novel in its second draft.  I love giving students the chance to communicate, write, and learn in community with others. 

I balance all this with being a homeschool mom. I have homeschooled my two daughters a total of  fifteen years. My older daughter attended our local public high school, so I am familiar with public school needs and requirements as well. 
 
I love sharing the wonder of language with learners young and old--both those who are learning English for the first time and those who are diving into the joys of literature. 

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$40

for 4 classes
1x per week, 4 weeks
55 min

Completed by 12 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
3-8 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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