In this 12-week class, students will discuss Tolkien's masterpiece "The Hobbit." Students will read the assigned chapters before class. Any form of reading is equally acceptable: reading on their own, being read to, listening to an audio book, etc. In class, we will begin with general discussion about the book: What happened, what did you like/dislike, what surprised you, what do you predict, etc. This will include comprehension questions and important quotes and vocabulary. We will then move into more focused discussion questions relating to the character and plot development, author's choice of words, relating fiction to our own lives, etc. 

Students will keep a journal as they read. The journal entries do not have to be shared. This is informal writing that will not be assessed, corrected, or graded. The journal will be kept from the perspective of an original Hobbit character created by the student and will chronicle their adventures as part of the team in the story. I hope that students will want to tell others in class about these adventures they come up with, but it isn't a requirement to share.

My live classes are designed to be low-pressure and high-enjoyment. I realize that students vary widely in their reading levels, reading enjoyment, comfort speaking on screen, and many other ways. I work hard to make my classroom a safe, comfortable, and engaging place for all students. I do not test or quiz. I do not call on students by name. I ask open-ended questions to the whole class and those who wish to answer do so. Students who are a bit camera-shy, but still want to participate in the discussion may do so by typing into the chat box.

My goal as a teacher is to spark a love of reading in the next generation. Reading is such a gift and I fear that too often it is regarded as a burden. I wish to restore the idea that reading is magical and enjoyable. I hope that your learner can join me on this timeless adventure, as we set off with Bilbo Baggins on his very first journey. The discussion schedule is as follows:

Week One: Prologue and Chapter 1
Week Two: Chapters 2-4
Week Three: Chapters 5-6
Week Four: Chapters 7-8
Week Five: Chapters 9-10
Week Six: Chapters 11-13
Week Seven: Chapters 14-16
Week Eight: Chapters 17-19
Week Nine: Movie: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Week Ten: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Week Eleven: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Week Twelve: Review and Final Analysis

In the words of Gandalf the Great, “May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks.”