When Women Write: And Then There Were None
An engaging, memorable college and university-prep discussion of Agatha Christie's bestselling mystery of all time. #academic
Kendra Fletcher
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(532)
Star Educator
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Weekly reading, an essay, creative projects, and dramatic reading prep. 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
What makes a mystery story take on a life of its own in film and theatre adaptations? Why does a story like this continue to surprise and shock generations who are introduced to it anew? And what was it like to be a woman who wrote more than 80 mysteries, 6 romance novels, 19 plays, and an autobiography? In this 4-week course, we'll read And Then There Were None together, exploring themes of good and evil, lies and deceit, vigilante justice, and good old fashioned mystery and intrigue. I'll introduce you to author Agatha Christie, bring historical context to life, and help you develop a passion about 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 4-week course time. It's not a lot of reading (roughly 4 chapters per week), and 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: Lecture and pre-reading discussion Week Two: Read Chapters 1-6 Week Three: Read Chapters 7-12 Week Four: Read chapters 13 - Epilogue -A character observation chart will be provided for download, helping you keep track of the characters who may fall into the category of either victim or perpetrator. That mystery remains to be seen! -A creative writing project will be assigned so that you can try your hand at writing your own mystery. Or perhaps you'd like to attempt to turn this story into another literary genre (it would make a terrific graphic novel). I will read and return your work 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! -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 Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. 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. -I will be giving a pre-reading lecture during the first session complete with pictures and an ample study on the background of the author, her work, and what that means relative to the books she wrote. You will feel prepared to understand why And Then There Were None is such an important addition to the English mystery canon. -For extra reading enhancement, I'll provide optional creative projects. These typically include creating a book cover or illustrating quotes, making playlists to accompany the plot, or filming your own scene. Each When Women Write course is different and learners have come to love the variety of projects and assignments uniquely chosen for each book selection. -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 and Prejudice, Death on the Nile, And Then There Were None, and Murder on the Orient Express.
Learning Goals
Our goals are to understand the novel from beginning to end and to learn how to analyze characters, setting, and plot. My goal with each class and every learner is that we will have an enriching experience together to carry throughout our lives.
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
4 Lessons
over 4 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 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘦 read yet, but feel free to start it if you like. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Discussing Chapters 1-6
During the live meeting, we will discuss Chapters 1-6 by Socratic method. We will also discuss the week’s project and assignments. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Discussing Chapters 7-12
During the live meeting, we will discuss Chapters 7-12 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
Lesson 4:
Discussing Chapters 13-Epilogue
During the live meeting, we will discuss Chapters 13-Epilogue and projects from the previous week. We will wrap up our study of 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘦. 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Since this is a murder mystery, we will be discussing crime and murder in particular.
Supply List
Character observation charts will be provided for download. I will also provide links to relevant materials, such as videos to watch. A copy of And Then There Were None will be required. You may buy or borrow whichever edition works for you. As long as your copy is unabridged, you're good to go.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2019
5.0
532reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of the Pacific
By the time I entered the 8th grade, I had read more than half of the mystery novels written by Agatha Christie. Her writing was kind of an obsession for me, and I made it my goal to read every single one. Her tight writing and excellent character development made each one of her mysteries delightful, and I soon developed my favorite Christie crime solvers (ask me which ones!) As an author myself, I particularly enjoy studying the works and perspectives of other female authors.Reviews
Live Group Course
$79
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
50 min
Completed by 38 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
1-4 learners per class
