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Please note: Due to the discussion-based nature of this course, there must be at least 3 learners enrolled in order to run it. Sections with fewer learner will be cancelled or asked to transfer.

🌟 General 🌟
Welcome to YEAR 1 ongoing middle grades classics book club! This course is best suited for students in 4th to 6th grade (ages 9-12). If you’re looking for a novel study course for 6th to 8th grade (ages 11-14) , you can find here: https://outschool.com/classes/homeschool-middle-school-literature-full-curriculum-y2ornovel-studyorela-book-club-UW9zSDYs?usid=XSuDFS3Z&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link.

This course if for you if you want your learner to:
✅ (further) develop a love of reading
✅ strengthen critical engagement with literature
✅ practice speaking and writing analytically about literature with their peers
✅ prepare for high school level reading and discussion

In this ongoing middle grades literature course, we will meet once a week to discuss great classic literature that is typically taught in middle grade levels. 

Students will read one classic novel over 4-week time periods. This allows us to dive deeper into literary analysis and have more in-depth discussions. Students are welcome to join for any or all of the discussions that pertain to a certain book, or for some books but not others. 

This is a relaxed but rigorous discussion-based course, where students come together to talk about themes, symbols, motifs, character development, conflict, literary devices, cultural relevance, and other elements at work in each novel. Students also practice analytic writing and receive feedback from me in each class. Students finish each novel with a cohesive and analytic understanding of the text and its place within the wider canon of literature. 

Throughout this course, students will have a chance to get a feel for what a high school-level literature course is like by participating in analytic reading and socratic seminar. 

Please note that because of the nature of this course, and of the reading content, sensitive topics are often discussed. I aim to create a judgement-free zone where students feel free to express themselves, and I ensure that students discuss sensitive topics appropriately and with respect for their classmates.

This course is great for students who:
✅ love reading and discussing literature
✅ are looking for homeschool full year language arts curriculum
✅ are preparing to be English majors in college
✅ want to get high school ready
✅ are ESL or ELL students looking for advanced reading classes from experienced ELA teacher with TEFL certification
✅ are neurodivergent learners seeking a safe space to learn with peers
✅ want to supplement their English language arts classes
✅ want opportunities to receive feedback on their written work
✅ are looking for a welcoming and inclusive space to interact with peers

🌟 Class Format 🌟
Warm up discussion (~10'): As students enter, we do introductions if there are new members, and talk about our first impressions of what we read for the week 
Literary Analysis Writing (~10'): After discussion, students write for 10 minutes, responding to a literary analysis prompt that gets them thinking about character development, themes, symbols, etc. Although this is a discussion class, the written portion allows students to understand what they think about the novel on a deeper level. Ultimately, it helps students not only practice writing analytically, but also deepens our subsequent discussion. During this time, I encourage students to send their responses to me in the chat, where I provide individual feedback and extension questions wherever time allows.
Analytic discussion (~25-30'):  We then discuss the questions, using them as a jumping off point for deeper discussion. During this time, I also encourage students to pose their own discussion questions to the group.
Sign off (~3'): We close with a short activity that asks students to make an observation or a prediction about the book.

🌟Materials & Optional Homework🌟
For each book, I provide guided reading questions or workbook pages for the upcoming chapters. Students can use these materials alongside their weekly reading to facilitate critical thinking and engagement with the text. 

For each book, I offer students an extension essay assignment or project that they can complete and submit to me for individual feedback. There is not direct essay-writing instruction in this class, but I do provide literary analysis prompts and feedback to students who wish to practice their writing semi-independently. 

Essays and projects will be submitted via Google Classroom.

🌟 Weekly Breakdown 🌟 
**Please be aware that, as indicated on the schedule, I will be on maternity leave from October 2nd - November 26. Therefore, during the fall semester, there is an 8-week break, after which the normal schedule will resume. I hope you will join me for the September novel. Thank you for your understanding! Don't hesitate to reach out with questions! 🙏

🍁 Fall Semester 2023
Book 1: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
1. September 4 - September 10: The Westing Game
2. September 11 - September 17: The Westing Game
3. September 18 - September 24: The Westing Game
4. September 25 - October 1: The Westing Game

5. October 2 - October 8: Maternity Leave **NO CLASSES
6. October 9 - October 15: Maternity Leave **NO CLASSES
7. October 16 - October 22: Maternity Leave **NO CLASSES
8. October 23 - October 29: Maternity Leave **NO CLASSES
9. October 30 - November 5: Maternity Leave **NO CLASSES

10. November 6 - November 12: Maternity Leave **NO CLASSES
11. November 13 - November 19: Maternity Leave **NO CLASSES


November 20 - November 26 (Thanksgiving) **NO CLASSES

Book 2: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg (*3 weeks)
12. November 27 - December 3: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler 
13. December 4 - December 10: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler 
14. December 11 - December 17: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler 

December 18 - December 31: Winter Break *NO CLASSES

🌸 Spring Semester 2024 (if you took this class last spring, look for my year 2 Middle School Lit class COMING SOON!)
Book 3: A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle
1. January 1 - January 7: A Wrinkle In Time
2. January 8 - January 14: A Wrinkle In Time
3. January 15 - January 21: A Wrinkle In Time
4. January 22 - January 28: A Wrinkle In Time

Book 4:  The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
5. January 29 - February 4:  The Witch of Blackbird Pond
6. February 5 - February 11:  The Witch of Blackbird Pond
7. February 12 - February 18:  The Witch of Blackbird Pond
8. February 19 - February 25:  The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Book 5: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
9. February 26 - March 3: Where the Red Fern Grows
10. March 4 - March 10: Where the Red Fern Grows
11. March 11 - March 17: Where the Red Fern Grows
12. March 18 - March 24: Where the Red Fern Grows

Book 6: Esperanza, Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
13. March 25 - March 31: Esperanza, Rising
14. April 1 - April 7: Esperanza, Rising
15. April 8 - April 14: Esperanza, Rising
16. April 15 - April 21: Esperanza, Rising

Book 7: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
17. April 22 - April 28: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
18. April 29 - May 5: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
19. May 6 - May 12: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
20. May 13 - May 19: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Book 8:  The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
21. May 20 - May 26: The True Confessions of Charlotte
22. May 27 - June 2: The True Confessions of Charlotte
23. June 3 - June 9: The True Confessions of Charlotte
24. June 10 - June 16: The True Confessions of Charlotte
25. June 17 - June 23: End of year discussion and wrap up!

🌟 Teaching Methods 🌟
In this course, I gently guide students toward critical engagement with the text through socratic questioning and light direct instruction where necessary. I also engage students in short writing exercises, usually in the middle of class, to develop their skills in thinking and writing critically about texts.

While there are no black and white answers when it comes to analyzing literature, there are pathways that lead to rigorous critical engagement with the text. My aim is to set students on these pathways, and the challenge their thinking, all within a relaxed and engaging environment.  

🌟 Interaction 🌟
This course is heavily discussion-based and requires students to actively engage with each other in discussion about the novels, either through speaking or through the chat-box. The level of peer-engagement in this course is akin to that of a high school-level literature course. 

🌟 About the Teacher 🌟
Meg Connolly is a certified teacher with bachelors degrees in literature and philosophy. She has masters degrees in teaching ELA, grades 7-12, and in teaching students with disabilities. She has ten years of teaching experience both in the US public school system and online. She has taught a wide range of courses throughout her career, from self-contained special education ELA to Advanced Placement Literature and Language & Composition. In addition to her masters, she is TESOL certified and experienced in working with ESL students.  She also writes her own fictional short stories for podcasts. Check out her teacher profile for more info.

🌟 Meet and Greet 🌟
If you or your learner are hesitant to sign up before meeting me (understandably!), feel free to book a meet and greet here: https://outschool.com/classes/meet-greet-15-minute-session-MGpwi3mP#usXSuDFS3Z