The Secret Garden Book Club FLEX
In this 5-week flexible schedule book club, we will read and discuss The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Students will also keep a reading journal to better understand and reflect on what they are reading each week.
Linda Lu
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(88)
What's included
Homework
2-4 hours per week. Students need to read the book independently. Students can decide to read the book in print, a digital version, or listen to the book on audio. Some students enjoy reading along while listening to the audiobook. Whatever works for your learner is great. If you find your child is struggling to keep up with the pace of the class, please let me know and I will work with you to find a solution that will best fit the needs of your child. Individual tutoring is also available for students who need any additional support.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
Let's read and discuss The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Students will answer reading comprehension questions, consider discussion questions, analyze characters, and learn new vocabulary terms. Students will also keep a reading journal. **This is a flex class. There are no live meetings. This format works well if you learner prefers to work independently or is uncomfortable with live video chat. ** Weekly Tasks Each week students will do the following: - read the assigned chapters of The Secret Garden - view the recorded lesson - take a quiz using the link in the classroom from Kahoot to check their comprehension - write a reading journal entry About the Video Lessons Each weekly video lesson will include the following: - brief summaries of each chapter - the definition and examples of one important vocabulary word from each chapter - character analysis of the main characters - explanation of the social structure and culture of the time period in the book - discussion questions to write about in the Outschool Classroom or to talk about at home About the Reading Journal Students will keep a reading journal as they read The Secret Garden. I recommend writing in the journal at least once a week. A reading journal provides students with the opportunity to record the pages they have read, write down new vocabulary words they learned, summarize what they read, and answer questions about what they are reading. The benefits of keeping a reading journal include the following: - helps keep track of what students have read and when students read it - helps students capture ideas and inspiration that come to mind when reading - more time to reflect on the text - opportunity to record quotes and insights from the text for future reference - gain a sense of accomplishment from seeing how much you have read The reading journal is a PDF file that you will receive on the first day of class. Students can print out the reading journal and write by hand or can type their answers on the computer. Do what is best for your learner. If you need help with the reading journal at any point during the class, please let me know. Class Schedule Week 1 About the Author & Background Information Chapters 1-9 Kahoot Reading Comprehension Quiz Write in the Reading Journal Week 2 Chapters 10-18 Kahoot Reading Comprehension Quiz Write in the Reading Journal Week 3 Chapters 19-27 Kahoot Reading Comprehension Quiz Write in the Reading Journal Week 4 Whole Book Review of Characters, Plot, & Themes Whole Book Kahoot Reading Comprehension Quiz Write in the Reading Journal Week 5 Compare the Book and the Movie Write in the Reading Journal (There are several versions of the movie. My favorite is the 1993 version. There is a version that was made in 2020. However, changes made to the ending of the movie alter the theme and mood of the story, in my opinion. There are many other versions of this movie. Watch any one you like.) ***Please note: This is a flexible schedule class. There are no schedule live video chats. Students will complete view the recorded lesson, take online quizzes from the website Kahoot using the link posted in Outschool Classroom, and participate in online discussions in the Outschool Classroom discussion board at their own pace by the end of the week. This course format works well if your learner prefers independent work or is uncomfortable with live video chat.***
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Secret Garden is a classic novel that was published in 1911. It The novel takes place during 1901. The novel takes place during the time period when England colonized and ruled over India.
While the overall message and themes of the story are timeless and wonderful, there are some aspects of this book that may be offensive to some readers today. For example, the maid expresses excitement about meeting a "black" from India and the main character gets very offended by this. There is also a boy who is physically disabled and is referred to with terms such as "cripple" that we no longer use today. This kind of language will be addressed when and if it is encountered during close readings of the text in class.
The main character also deals with neglect from her parents at the beginning of the story. She is also somewhat neglected by the uncle she is sent to live with after the death of both her parents. The first chapter has a scene where the main character is left alone in a house after everyone who lives there dies of illness or leaves suddenly.
The novel deals with themes of illness, despair, and death. It also deals with themes of new beginnings, becoming a nicer person, showing empathy, finding happiness after loss, and hope.
Supply List
A copy of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett in print or digital format. Listening to the audiobook is also fine. This book is in the public domain. You can read it for free at projectguttenburg.com.
Language of Instruction
English
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Teaching Certificates
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in English to Speakers of Other Languages
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of North Carolina Wilmington
I am certified to teach English Language Arts and social studies. I will talk a bit about the background of the novel and address outdated language as sensitively as possible as it comes up. I will help put this language in context.
It important to remember that this book was published in 1911, over 100 year ago. I acknowledge that some of the language is insensitive and hurtful to some readers. This is addressed in the video lessons.
However, it is also worth noting books and movies we enjoy today may be considered offensive to people living in the future. This is something we may discuss in class as we deal with scenes and/or language that feel outdated and even offensive by today's standards. Reviews
Live Group Class
$12
weekly or $60 for 5 weeks5 weeks
Completed by 1 learner
No live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
