To Kill a Mockingbird Book Club
In this eight-week book club, students will take a deep look into the themes, social issues, and burning questions within Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird
Janelle Fila
Average rating:
4.6
Number of reviews:(903)
Star Educator
What's included
8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
2-4 hours per week. Students will read between 30 and 50 pages a week on their own time. Students will have access to the new videos and a corresponding one page worksheet with discussion questions and places for fill-in-the blank answers. I also assign a short writing assignment focused around that week's discussion questions.Assessment
The more assignments that students complete and the more questions that they share in posts helps me to understand their knowledge and comprehension of the topics we are discussing.Grading
Please let me know if you require a grade for this course.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
Students will read between 30 and 50 pages a week on their own time. The prerecorded sessions will emphasize characters, their motivations, theme, social issues, historical context, and inferences about what might come next in the story. Students will have access to a 10-20 minute video for each chapter. Students will have access to the new videos and a corresponding one page worksheet with discussion questions and places for fill-in-the blank answers. The worksheets will also address/remind the students of some of the important topics from each chapter. There is one weekly writing assignment to complete after the weekly readings. While the worksheets will focus on the author's intentions, the weekly writing assignment focuses on the students' thoughts and feelings. The students will also receive approximately six vocabulary words per lesson. I encourage students to submit any vocabulary words they didn't recognize or passages the students did not understand. The more questions the students ask, the more "discussion" we can have in the classroom after each chapter.
Learning Goals
Week One: Chapters 1-3 (35 pages) Students will learn about the narrator Scout Finch, her family, including her father and brother, and the area that she grew up in. Students will learn about Scout's school experiences and will be encouraged to discuss the poverty depicted. We will also look at Walter Cunningham's character, discussing how seemingly minor characters can impact the overall story in a big way.
Week Two: Chapters 4-7 (35 pages) We will discuss the possible importance of Scout's father's profession and initial thoughts about the Radleys, Scout's creepy neighbors. Students will be introduced to some minor characters like Dill and Miss Maudie. Students will be encouraged to consider the importance of these characters to the overall story.
Week Three: Chapters 8-11 (46 pages) This ends Part One of the novel. We will talk about the deaths that occur in these chapters and how those deaths affect the overall story. Students will be encouraged to reflect back over what they've learned so far. I will also ask students to share what thoughts or questions they have about the direction of the rest of the story.
Week Four: Chapters 12-14 (32 pages) Students will discuss Calpurnia, the Tom Robinson case, and the role race plays in this story. What questions do the students have about Atticus' upcoming trial?
Week Five: Chapters 15-17 (38 pages) We will talk about the jailhouse scene and the first of the courthouse scenes. What is Atticus' defense strategy? Will it work? We will also discuss the story's tone and mood as it shifts into more serious reading.
Week Six: Chapters 18-21 (38 pages) Finishing out the courthouse scenes, we will discuss students' thoughts and opinions about the verdict. Were they surprised by the verdict? Or did Lee's storytelling help them expect this outcome?
Week Seven: Chapters 22- 26 (41 pages) We will discuss Bob Ewell's anger, despite the verdict. Do students feel his anger is warranted? We will also discuss the final outcome of Tom Robinson, giving students the chance to share their opinion about what they think really happened.
Week Eight: Chapters 27- 31 (39 pages) At the completion of this story, students will have a chance to talk about Boo Radley's character and discuss the title of the book. Do they agree with Mr. Tate's assessment that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife? Was it right to make that the official report, even if it wasn't technically true? Students will also have an opportunity to share any further thoughts or questions they have now that they've completed the entire story.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Chapters 1-3
Video lessons, worksheets, vocabulary words, and a weekly writing assignment Lesson 2:
Chapters 4-7
Video lessons, worksheets, vocabulary words, and a weekly writing assignment Lesson 3:
Chapters 8-11
Video lessons, worksheets, vocabulary words, and a weekly writing assignment Lesson 4:
Chapters 12-14
Video lessons, worksheets, vocabulary words, and a weekly writing assignment Other Details
Parental Guidance
The story depicts a deep sense of racism and criminal charges of sexual abuse. The book contains culturally insensitive words that are not appropriate for all readers. A number of characters die in this story as well.
Supply List
The students will need their own copy of To Kill a Mockingbird to read on their own. It can be borrowed from the library or even listened to as an audio book. The students may find it helpful to have a physical copy of the book with them when they fill out the class worksheets and post discussion questions in the classroom.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2019
4.6
903reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Spalding University
I have a Master's Degree in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults. I was a substitute teacher for three years before teaching at Outschool. I currently teach English Composition at a local nursing college. I have read To Kill a Mockingbird multiple times! It was one of the first books that captivated me as a reader. I especially loved the dual story line. I am still amazed at how Harper Lee took what seemed to be two separate stories and wove them together so seamlessly. I hope to pass on some enthusiasm for this book to my students! My goal is that they will come away with a respect, if not outright love, for this story and author. Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$5
weekly or $40 for all content8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 39 learners
Choose your start date
Ages: 13-18
