古典文学入門: すべての学生が知っておくべき物語

Introduction to Classic Literature is a weekly club dedicated to exploring and discussing timeless works of literature that have shaped our cultural and intellectual history. Students will dive into classic novels, plays, and poetry from various literary traditions, from ancient texts to modern works from around the world. 

The club offers a vibrant space for discussion, analysis, and critical thinking, where I encourage students to engage with literature on a deeper level. Each week, we'll focus on a specific work, present a broad overview of the plot, read excerpts, and analyze its themes, characters, and historical context, all while also exploring its relevance in today's world. Whether your learner is an avid reader or completely new to classic literature, this club fosters a supportive environment for everyone to appreciate the beauty, complexity, and timeless appeal of these influential works.

What is Classic Literature? 
Each piece of literature discussed in this class is an example of classic literature, something considered to be of exceptional quality, exploring universal themes, well-developed characters, and compelling plots. They have an enduring appeal that transcends the time period and geographic location in which they were written. Essentially, these works  are considered timeless and important pieces of story telling.

The works selected for this class range widely in terms of reading level. Books selected range from Children's Classics (such as The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) to to complex works of literature (such as 

I made this class with the following types of students in mind:
- Avid readers looking to explore the diverse (and more challenging) library of classic literature
- Learners who like to read but struggle to engage more deeply with what they are reading or think critically about the meaning of what they're reading
- Reluctant readers who don't know how to progress to more challenging reading, or are reluctant to explore new stories and genres
- Students who struggle with reading comprehension, especially with longer readings

Weekly Schedule
I may change individual weekly topics depending on student interests. Parents and students are encouraged to request readings to be featured in class!

Week of March 16: The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Week of March 23: The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
Week of March 30: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe 
Week of April 6: Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne 
Week of April 13: NO CLASS (Spring Break)
Week of April 20: Haikus by Matsuo Bashō 
Week of April 27: Beowulf
Week of May 4: Matilda by Roald Dahl
Week of May 11: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Week of May 18: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Week of May 25: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)
by C.S. Lewis

Topics from previous classes:
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 
The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari) by Murasaki Shikibu