Understanding the theme is an important and often tricky learning objective to comprehend. This course discusses and studies the events, ideas, and characters that develop themes. 

During this 7-week class, participants will read, discuss, and write about the classic tale, Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls. Set in the 1920’s Oklahoma Ozark hills, this is the adventure-filled story of Billy, who just wants a couple of dogs. However, he has no money and does not want just any dogs; he wants a set of coon hunting hounds. Join us as Billy, Old Dan, and Little Ann grow together in this exciting, heart-filled tale. 

The overarching objective for the class is an in-depth look at the settings and themes interwoven throughout the story. Each week also practices a secondary learning objective, such as inferring, questioning, or summarizing. Students will be responsible for reading approximately 60 pages of text each week outside the class, posting on a Padlet chat room, and being prepared and participating in the discussion sessions. The discussion posts are easy, fun, and collaborative, leaving the focus of the class on the enjoyment of reading through lively discussion. This wonderfully written tale, combined with a fun and enthusiastic online atmosphere, will surely bring laughter, tears, and a love of storytelling through literature to any young learner. Where the Red Fern Grows is recommended for grades 5-8 with a 700L Lexile measurement.

-A Top 100 Children’s Novel School Library Journal 
-A Must-Read for Kids 9 to 14, NPR
- A Great American Read's Selection (PBS) 
-Winner of Multiple State Awards 

Week 1: Chapter 0 
-Introductions 
-About the author
-About the class & expectations
-Theme & Vocabulary (theme & vocabulary are focus objectives each week)
-Flashback  
--Link to Padlet Discussion Board 

Week 2: Chapters 1-6 
-Main characters and settings
-Building connections (text-to-text, text-to-world, text-to-self) 
-Link to Padlet Discussion  Board 

Week 3: Chapters 7-9 
-Predicting and inferring 
-Link to Padlet Discussion Board 

Week 4: Chapters 10-13 
-Questioning 
-Link to Padlet Discussion Board 

Week 5: Chapters 14-16 
-Visualization, supporting evidence 
-Write your own coon hunting song 
-Link to Padlet Discussion Board 

Week 6: Chapters 17-20 
-Theme 
-End of book celebration & discussion 
-Link to Padlet Discussion Board