The Secret Garden Novel Study (4th & 5th Grade Reading Comprehension)
Linda Lu
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(84)
In this 6-week novel study, we will read and discuss The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. We will focus on building reading comprehension skills for learners who read at the 4th grade or 5th grade reading level.
Class experience
US Grade 4 - 5
Let's read and discuss The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This novel study will focus on the powerful story of healing, the power of our thoughts, nature, personal growth, and friendship. This class will meet 1 time a week for 6 weeks. Each week we will read aloud from the novel. As we read, we will discuss the text. The teacher will ask reading comprehension questions, discuss character development, the plot, and themes from the novel. We will read some of the novel during...
Students will improve reading comprehension skills. Learners will be able to describe characters, setting, and events in a story. Learners will also be able to compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story. They will also be able to determine the theme of a story based on details from the text. These goals are based on the Common Core Standards for reading literature in grades 4 and 5. To learn more, see the following links: Grade 4 ELA Standards for Reading Literature https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/4/ Grade 5 ELA Standards for Reading Literature https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RL/5/
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 I will talk a bit about the background of the novel and address outdated language as sensitively as possible as it comes up.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. 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 This is something we may discuss in class as we deal with scenes and/or language that feel outdated and even offensive by today's standards.
Homework Offered
Students will need to finish reading assigned chapters that we do not finish reading during class.1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Optional multiple choice reading comprehension quizzes via Google Forms will be posted in the Outschool Classroom each week. Students will receive immediate feedback and are invited to take the quiz as many times as they like.Grades Offered
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.
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
The Secret Garden is a classic novel that was published in 1911. 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.
Hello families! My name is Linda Lu. I teach English Language Arts and social studies at a middle school in the United States. My education includes a Master's Degree in Teaching and a Bachelor's degree in English. Additionally, I am certified...
Group Class
$25
weekly or $149 for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
55 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-10
1-5 learners per class
