Students will read, study, and discuss the following novels for the literary elements of setting, character, conflict, theme, and plot:

"The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney  -- Reading Age 8-12, 670L, the first book in a popular series about a witty hamster, the classroom pet. Humphrey learns much about people when students take turns bringing him home over the weekends. 

"Pax" by Sara Pennypacker -- Reading Age 8-12, 760L, a 2016 creatively written novel about a boy and his pet fox finding each other and themselves after being separated .  The story is told interchangeably from the boy's point of view and the fox's point of view.  

"Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor -- Reading Age 8-12, 890L, a well-beloved classic about a boy finding and loving an abused beagle named Shiloh. In an effort to protect and save Shiloh, Marty learns about the ongoing consequences of lying.

This class is best for students who can read 70 pages in a week, about 14 pages each school day. Fourth graders who struggle reading will find this class too challenging. Fourth grade above-average readers will do fine. Generally, average fifth and sixth graders are able to meet classroom expectations and enjoy the reading.

For each novel, students learn new vocabulary, discuss story events, and study the commonly taught literary elements of setting, theme, character, conflict, point of view, and plot. Topics are taught through teacher/student discussions, teacher lecture, guided reading handouts, power point slides, and Kahoot (free app) games. Optional writing activities are suggested but not required for class participation. Most reading takes place outside of class, and reading assignments generally follow the schedule below:

According to Humphrey
Week One: Prior to class, read Chapters 1-9. Chapters 10-end assigned.
Week Two:  Chapters 1-10 of Pax assigned.

Pax
Week Three: Chapters 11-16 assigned
Week Four: Chapters 17-23 assigned
Week Five: Chapters 24-end assigned
Week Six: Chapters 1-8 of Shiloh assigned

Shiloh:
Week Seven: Chapters 9-end assigned
Week Eight: Final Shiloh discussion

I'm an old-school, old-soul teacher that loves working with students. My greatest joy is to see students absorbed within the plot of an exciting story. I also believe that I'm teaching more than just "Who wrote Shiloh?" in my classes; I'm teaching students how to listen while in a group discussion, how to discern a message while reading, and how to empathize with characters often facing challenges unfamiliar to the student. 

Please feel free tor each out if you have any questions. Due to the length of the class, three students must be enrolled. If enrollment is not met, I will reach out to you a few days before the class begins. Most likely, the class will then be rescheduled with a new start date.