What's included
5 live meetings
4 hrs 10 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Learners will be expected to read the week's chapters, do the correlating projects, and most of all, jump into the discussions we have each week. I give a lot of space for learning disabilities and non-neurotypical learners (I have a few in my own home!), so if you're hesitant about the class format, please reach out to me.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
𝑨 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒍𝒚𝒏 is a beautiful coming-of-age story that follows the life of a young woman growing up in Brooklyn, New York at the beginning of the 20th Century. It is highly relatable, covering themes of adolescence, prejudice, racial stereotypes, loss, and love. In this 5-week course, we'll read 𝑨 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒍𝒚𝒏 together, exploring themes of feminism, poverty, family tensions, and personal triumph. I'll introduce you to author Betty Smith, bring historical context to life, and help you develop a passion for the story (which means you might end up hating it just as much as you might end up loving it!) -We will stick to a strict reading schedule that guarantees book completion in the 5-week course time. It's a lot of reading (roughly 10 chapters per week), but listening to an audio version is perfectly acceptable if that is better for you. However, you will want to be able to take notes. Week One: Background Lecture and pre-reading discussion Week Two: Read and discuss chapters 1-14 Week Three: Read and discuss chapters 15-31 Week Four: Read and discuss chapters 32-42 Week Five: Read and discuss chapters 43-56 -A creative essay topic will be assigned during the 3rd week so that you can begin forming an opinion and a thesis. I will read and return your essay with notes and feedback, with the goal of helping you be a better reader and lover of literature. -We will also do some dramatic readings together, so get your props and costumes ready! I will provide recipes from the book's era, links to excellent articles that tie into the topics discussed, and a few other fun projects that incorporate artwork and individual creativity. -Class participation and discussion will be the best way for us to learn together. Come prepared to talk about the story, the chapters we're covering, unfamiliar vocabulary, and give us your thoughts and opinions about Betty Smith's 𝑨 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒍𝒚𝒏. Socratic discussion is the center of our time together, and each When Women Write course is designed to prepare you for college and university-level literature analysis. -To round out a high school semester, add either: Essentials for Reluctant Writers Semester I (academic essay writing) 𝘰𝘳 Essentials for Reluctant Writers Semester II (creative writing) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 High School English: Read Literature Like a Professor (literary analysis) My College-Bound Reader courses include Of Mice and Men, The Scarlet Letter, and Wuthering Heights. I offer other When Women Write courses featuring excellent female authors. When Women Write courses include 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘌𝘺𝘳𝘦, 𝘍𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘪𝘯, 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘈 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘭𝘺𝘯, 𝘛𝘰 𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘔𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥, 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 & 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘌𝘮𝘮𝘢, 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 & 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘦, and 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴.
Learning Goals
Students will become familiar with Betty Smith's 𝑨 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒍𝒚𝒏, learn to identify its theme and motifs and be able to draw educated conclusions from our rhetorical discussions.
CCSS
RL.8.1
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS
RL.8.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
CCSS
RL.9-10.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS
RL.9-10.10
By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9-10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 9-10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
CCSS
RL.11-12.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
CCSS
RL.11-12.10
By the end of grade 11, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 11-CCR text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 11-CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.
CCSS
W.8.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS
W.8.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
CCSS
W.8.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS
W.8.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
CCSS
W.9-10.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS
W.9-10.5
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
CCSS
W.9-10.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS
W.9-10.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
CCSS
W.11-12.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS
W.11-12.5
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
CCSS
W.11-12.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS
W.11-12.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Syllabus
5 Lessons
over 5 WeeksLesson 1:
Introductory Lecture and Discussion
During the first live meeting, I will be introducing you to the author and the novel, focusing on cultural, historical, and social issues covered in the story. You don't need to have any of 𝘈 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘭𝘺𝘯 read yet, but feel free to start it if you like.
50 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Discussing Chapters 1-14
During the live meeting, we will discuss Chapters 1-11 by Socratic method. We will also discuss the week’s project and assignments.
50 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Discussing Chapters 15-31
During the live meeting, we will discuss Chapters 12-23 by Socratic method. We will also share our projects and discuss the essay due at the end of the course.
50 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Discussing Chapters 32-42
During the live meeting, we will discuss Chapters 24-35 and projects from the previous week.
50 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The book includes a section about a rapist in the neighborhood who tries to attack the main character. The rape is not described and justice is served, but as a sensitive topic for many, you will want to be aware that it is part of the story.
Supply List
A copy of 𝑨 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒍𝒚𝒏 will be required. There are many editions available for purchase online or in local bookstores; just be sure to get an unabridged copy.
Language of Instruction
English
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of the Pacific
𝑨 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒍𝒚𝒏 is one of my favorite books to read alongside young readers. It's a classic Bildungsroman—coming-of-age story—and it is highly relatable to most readers. I've taught this one often, and every time I love the journey.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$89
for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
50 min
Completed by 14 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
1-8 learners per class