This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Learn the classics and what makes great Children’s literature in this middle school survey course introducing great stories — from Grimm’s Fairy Tales to The Prince and the Pauper, Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and more!
Total classes: 12
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 6th to 8th grade
Suggested credit: One full semester Literature
Description
Discover the classics of Children’s Literature! In this course, we will read and enjoy a variety of stories, novels, and poems written specifically for children and teens — and in the process, students will learn the fundamentals of studying and writing about literature — including dialogue, characters, themes and more. We will read examples from the best of children’s literature from books your great grandparents read to today!
Outline
Selections from Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
The Golden Key by George MacDonald
“The Happy Prince” and “The Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry
Review
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: PDF’s provided free by the instructor, plus:
Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi – http://www.gutenberg.org/files/500/500-h/500-h.htm / Pinocchio Streaming Options
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain – The Prince and the Pauper Streaming Options / https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1837/1837-h/1837-h.htm
The Golden Key by George MacDonald – http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0700571h.html
“The Happy Prince” and “The Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde – https://www.gutenberg.org/files/902/902-h/902-h.htm
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie – http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0300081h.html
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett – https://www.gutenberg.org/files/17396/17396-h/17396-h.htm
Classic Children’s Stories Collection – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075CQGL7D/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0
Mary Poppins by PL Travers – https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Poppins-Dr-P-Travers/dp/0544439562
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder – https://www.amazon.com/Little-House-Prairie-No/dp/0064400026/ref=bseries_primary_1_0064400026
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl – https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Chocolate-Factory-Puffin-Classics/dp/0142401080
The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry – https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Class-Trip-Ever/dp/1484708490
Homework: Some of these children’s novels may take several hours to read. Some will not. Plan on about 2 to 3 hours of reading per week on average. There will be occasional quizzes and a final essay.
