"Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificient, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum". (Citation Provided Below)

While reading The Hobbit, which takes place in the years leading up the Frodo's journey across Middle Earth to destroy the One Ring to Control Them All, students will have the opportunity to participate in a Socratic Seminar. During this time, we will discuss the novel and its literary devices such as character development, symbolism, conflict, plot development, theme, and more! We will be looking through the different chapters to gain a deeper understanding of the novel but to also appreciate the cultural influence the novel has had on the world.

The following is a schedule of potential activities that we can follow and discuss in class:
Week One, Day One:
     - Welcome and Introductions
     - Introduction to The Hobbit and J.R.R. Tolkien
     - Characters and Peoples of Middle Earth
     - Tour through New Zealand/Middle Earth
Week One, Day Two:
     - Character Analysis
     - Plot
     - Songs and Poetry
Week Two, Day One:
     - Conflict within The Hobbit
     - Riddles
     - Plot Development (Events of The Lord of the Rings)
Week Two, Day Two:
     - Genre of the Novel (Debate)
     - Peoples of Middle Earth and Conflict
     - Character Development
Week Three, Day One:
     - Conflict and Climatical Events
     - Character Development
     - Characteristics of the Dragons of Middle Earth
Week Three, Day Two:
     - Who is the Real Hero?
     - Character Development
     - The Adventure Continues
     - Symbolism and Themes
     - The Return to Normalcy

Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit. 75th Anniversary ed., Boston, Mariner Books, 1937.