The Tale of Despereaux: Book Club Fun With Escape Room
In this engaging six week book club, learners will improve their reading comprehension skills and creativity as they experience an amazing book "The Tale of Despereaux" with optional hands on projects and an escape room! #academic
Kristen Galloway
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(490)
What's included
6 live meetings
6 in-class hoursHomework
Optional projects will need to be completed between classes. After Class Project Week 1, bring to our second meeting to share: Using any materials you might find around your home, design and create a castle. After Class Project Week 2, bring to our third meeting to share: Using any materials you might find around your home, design and create a pulley that will lower a mouse down into the dungeon. After Class Project Week 3, bring to our fourth meeting to share: UUsing any materials you might find around your home, design and create maze, just like the dungeon is a maze. After Class Project Week 4, bring to our fifth meeting to share: Using only spoons and bowls (non breakable), design and build a tower. See how high you can make it! Measure it and take a picture! After Class Project Week 5, bring to our sixth meeting to share: Using any materials you might find around your home, design and create a rat catcher! If learners would prefer to draw their projects instead of build them, they are welcome to!Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
During the next six weeks, we will discover how a mouse, princess, some soup, and a spool of thread are connected. Learners will read and discuss "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo. This chapter book will help learners explore deep and meaningful themes and take away valuable life lessons. The first half of the class will be a read aloud, and in the second half of the class we will discuss the chapters. Learners will talk about visualization, theme, and connections that they make to the story. Learners are encouraged to think deeply. This story will build learners vocabulary and world view. Themes such as love and loss will be explored and learners will be encouraged to share any connections that they have to the text. Learners will compare and contrast characters and discover how they have light and dark inside them. I will do an engaging read aloud with dramatic voices, and lead a discussion. Learners will be encouraged to ask and answer questions. This book has deep themes and does contain the death of a child's mother, mild violence, and child abuse. I provide optional projects for enrichment. They are not required in the class. Week 1 - Chapters 1-12: After Class Project: Using any materials you might find around your home, design and create a castle. Week 2 - Chapters 13-20: After Class Project: Using any materials you might find around your home, design and create a pulley that will lower a mouse down into the dungeon. Week 3 - Chapters 21-28: After Class Project: Using any materials you might find around your home, design and create maze, just like the dungeon is a maze. Week 4 - Chapters 29-33: After class project: Using only spoons and bowls (non breakable), design and build a tower. See how high you can make it! Measure it and take a picture! Week 5 - Chapters 34-42: Using any materials you might find around your home, design and create a rat catcher! Week 6 - Chapters 43-52 and Coda and a Digital Escape Room: No Project. An optional Blooket will be provided so learners can answer questions about the book.
Learning Goals
Learners will improve their vocabulary.
Learners will improve reading comprehension through visualization, making connections, and exploring themes.
Learners will ask and answer questions and practice speaking and listening.
Learners will use critical thinking skills to solve puzzles in a digital escape room.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The princess's mother dies
Mild violence
Despereaux loses his tail
Miggory Sow is sold by her father to a man who hits her
Supply List
Optional: "The Tale of Despereaux" paperback book $8.99 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Despereaux-Being-Princess-Thread/dp/0763680893/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1IWL3Y14LOPTP&dchild=1&keywords=the+tale+of+desperaux&qid=1603391713&sprefix=the+%2Caps%2C357&sr=8-1 Learners may use: Paper and art supplies. Toilet paper rolls Popsicle sticks Playdough Legos or Blocks Paper/plastic/styrofoam bowls and spoons Any materials that are easy to find and that you have on hand. I want learners to use their imaginations to design and create!
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
"The Tale of Despereaux" paperback book $8.99 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Despereaux-Being-Princess-Thread/dp/0763680893/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1IWL3Y14LOPTP&dchild=1&keywords=the+tale+of+desperaux&qid=1603391713&sprefix=the+%2Caps%2C357&sr=8-1
Joined October, 2020
4.9
490reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Tennessee Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from East Tennessee State University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from East Tennessee State University
I have read this book to my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders every year for the past 8 years. It is a beloved book, containing deep themes. Reviews
Live Group Class
$70
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
60 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
3-9 learners per class
