kristin0713 Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Any options other than the Bravewriter book clubs for middle schoolers? I'm looking for a live class. BW is message board style. A combination of discussion and written responses would be great. There are some options on outschool, but I was hoping for something that runs all year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 I love teaching literature to middle school students and have loved using Zoom this year with online students. If there is a serious need for this, I will offer my literature course online next year. Personally, I think literature discussions work well online via Zoom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted May 3, 2021 Author Share Posted May 3, 2021 26 minutes ago, lmrich said: I love teaching literature to middle school students and have loved using Zoom this year with online students. If there is a serious need for this, I will offer my literature course online next year. Personally, I think literature discussions work well online via Zoom. Well, I have yet to find anything other than what is offered on outschool, so I would say there is a need! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caffeineandbooks Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Center for Lit runs live online classes, including elementary (gr 5-6) and junior high (gr 7-9). Nine books over the year, with the aim of helping the kids love reading as well as understanding the books. Optional writing class as well. You can watch a recording of an entire class for the level you're interested in to help you know exactly what you're getting. The teachers are awesome. https://www.centerforlit.com/prospective-students 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourisenough Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Another vote for Center for Lit. Great book discussions! My DD has taken their classes for the last three years; I feel like she has an excellent foundation for analyzing and enjoying good books. Next year we’re moving on to something else, but will miss their great book discussions! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted May 12, 2021 Author Share Posted May 12, 2021 On 5/3/2021 at 4:53 PM, caffeineandbooks said: Center for Lit runs live online classes, including elementary (gr 5-6) and junior high (gr 7-9). Nine books over the year, with the aim of helping the kids love reading as well as understanding the books. Optional writing class as well. You can watch a recording of an entire class for the level you're interested in to help you know exactly what you're getting. The teachers are awesome. https://www.centerforlit.com/prospective-students On 5/4/2021 at 3:35 PM, fourisenough said: Another vote for Center for Lit. Great book discussions! My DD has taken their classes for the last three years; I feel like she has an excellent foundation for analyzing and enjoying good books. Next year we’re moving on to something else, but will miss their great book discussions! So I looked at their website and love their book lists, but I’m not sold on the class format. Monthly two-hour discussions—I don’t think my kids would stay engaged. I watched a sample and it was mostly a lecture with minimal discussion from the kids. I wish they had a weekly or even biweekly class with more interaction among the kids. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bokons Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 I signed up my ds for Center of Lit when he was in grade 6 because of the good reviews I read on this forum (it was his first online class), but he found the classes to be boring, and he didn't participate much. I did like the book lists too though :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourisenough Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 2 hours ago, kristin0713 said: So I looked at their website and love their book lists, but I’m not sold on the class format. Monthly two-hour discussions—I don’t think my kids would stay engaged. I watched a sample and it was mostly a lecture with minimal discussion from the kids. I wish they had a weekly or even biweekly class with more interaction among the kids. Yeah, I hear you. I think I felt that way in the beginning, but I grew to love the format. There is something simple and wonderful about getting to read slowly and deeply over the course of a month then doing a deep-dive analysis of it. My ADHD child did struggle with staying engaged in the 1.5-2 hour class at first, but with snacks, doodling, and stretch breaks, we figured out how to enjoy it. But, I’ll concede it isn’t for everyone. We’re switching to a weekly class next year for similar reasons. It was great for the elementary years for my kid, tho. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caffeineandbooks Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 4 hours ago, kristin0713 said: So I looked at their website and love their book lists, but I’m not sold on the class format. Monthly two-hour discussions—I don’t think my kids would stay engaged. I watched a sample and it was mostly a lecture with minimal discussion from the kids. I wish they had a weekly or even biweekly class with more interaction among the kids. I'm sorry you didn't love it (but glad you found that out before spending money!). There is a chat box running during the live discussion but that is never recorded, so isn't visible in the samples. Perhaps they're not the best option for your family, but if you do want to look a bit further, you might check their website in a week or two - they will advertise their summer classes sometime before the end of this month. From memory those run in the weekly format you're looking for, but just for a month or so - last year I think they had the Penderwicks, Lord of the Rings and... I can't remember the others. A Jane Austen maybe? Hope you find something that fits your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted May 13, 2021 Author Share Posted May 13, 2021 4 hours ago, fourisenough said: We’re switching to a weekly class next year for similar reasons. What are you using next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Angelina Stanford’s middle school classes at House of Humane Letters are great. Pricey though and they fill fast. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourisenough Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 56 minutes ago, kristin0713 said: What are you using next year? Integritas Academy Intro level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 WTMA has year-long "reading" classes that meet for an hour a week. There are also summer reading clubs. https://www.wtmacademy.com/course-catalog/?pa_subject=literature 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted August 18, 2021 Author Share Posted August 18, 2021 @lmrich Did you decide to offer a zoom literature class again? I have DS signed up for a course on outschool, but he is currently the only one enrolled and I'm concerned that it will get dropped. I did end up enrolling my 15yo in Center for Lit's American Literature class. DS is not quite ready for something like that. It is surprising to me that I can't find more options for middle school book clubs / literature discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 My business partner runs really popular ones on Outschool. They often fill up, but they tend to be very lively: https://outschool.com/teachers/Jill-Harper#usDUidZLHF 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 2 hours ago, kristin0713 said: @lmrich Did you decide to offer a zoom literature class again? I have DS signed up for a course on outschool, but he is currently the only one enrolled and I'm concerned that it will get dropped. I did end up enrolling my 15yo in Center for Lit's American Literature class. DS is not quite ready for something like that. It is surprising to me that I can't find more options for middle school book clubs / literature discussion. I am not this year - I have 20 for an in person class with a wait list of 5 more - there is obviously a need! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted August 18, 2021 Author Share Posted August 18, 2021 2 hours ago, Farrar said: My business partner runs really popular ones on Outschool. They often fill up, but they tend to be very lively: https://outschool.com/teachers/Jill-Harper#usDUidZLHF Those classes look great! Unfortunately, DS is not a very ambitious reader. The times are a little late for us, too. This one is more his speed, but I'm hoping it gets more takers so that it will run. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haanz Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 On 8/18/2021 at 1:19 PM, Farrar said: My business partner runs really popular ones on Outschool. They often fill up, but they tend to be very lively: https://outschool.com/teachers/Jill-Harper#usDUidZLHF Two of my kids have taken book clubs with Jill. They are excellent! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted August 23, 2021 Author Share Posted August 23, 2021 On 8/21/2021 at 1:57 PM, Haanz said: Two of my kids have taken book clubs with Jill. They are excellent! I wish she had something that worked for us. A lot of them are later in the evening and require reading a book a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted October 17, 2021 Share Posted October 17, 2021 @kristin0713, did your son's class work out? I ask because I might be interested in offering a live book club online through Zoom next semester if there is a need. I currently teach math classes on Zoom (they are all friends' kids from my former homeschool group), but I used to lead elementary and middle school book clubs for the support group. I have studied Teaching the Classics from Center for Lit and IEW's Teaching Writing with Structure and Style. Both turned me into a language arts lover in addition to my love for math! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted October 17, 2021 Author Share Posted October 17, 2021 32 minutes ago, mom31257 said: @kristin0713, did your son's class work out? I ask because I might be interested in offering a live book club online through Zoom next semester if there is a need. I currently teach math classes on Zoom (they are all friends' kids from my former homeschool group), but I used to lead elementary and middle school book clubs for the support group. I have studied Teaching the Classics from Center for Lit and IEW's Teaching Writing with Structure and Style. Both turned me into a language arts lover in addition to my love for math! I ended up putting him in a comprehensive language arts class through Open Tent. Thanks, though! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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