(Recorded Course) Living History through Literature (Modern Era): The Scarlet Pimpernel with Jackie de Laveaga, M.Ed.

 

In this interdisciplinary series you will have the advantage of history taught hand in hand with literature. With a project-based approach, you are sure to have fun learning about the 1700’s through the story of  “The Scarlet Pimpernel”.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor: Jackie de Laveaga

Instructor email: hsc@delaveaga.app

COURSE INFORMATION

How to get the most out of this course:

      1. First, read the course materials below before watching the first class recording.
      2. Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes when you watch the recordings.
      3. Read the novel chapters that are assigned for the week.
      4. Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.
      5. Work on the Final Project Presentation each week.
      6. Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records. 

Special notes: This is part two of a four-part series. Students can sign up for just one, all four, or anywhere in between. Parts One and Two are offered in the fall. Parts Three and Four are offered in the Spring.

Total Classes: 6

Duration: 45 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 5th to 8th grade

Suggested Credit: 1/2 semester Literature or History (Register for “The Sea Tiger: The Story of Pedro Menéndez: Living History Through Literature” for one full semester)

Course Description: 

 Living History Through Literature is a project-based course series offered to 5th through 8th grade students. These courses will weave the study of literature into a meaningful and engaging encounter with a specific era of history. In this course we enter the throes of the French Revolution, specifically the “Reign of Terror”, when thousands of French citizens were being executed. Enter the “Scarlet Pimpernel”, a mysterious character who uses disguises and trickery to rescue French royalists before they are marched off to the guillotine. In this project-based course, students will engage in short quizzes and in projects of their choice. Project options will include fiction writing, preparing period-specific food and/or costumes, creating lap books, recreating scenes from the novel (Legos, clay, K’nex, digital drawing, hand-drawing, etc.), building a timeline, mapping, and more.

Course Outline:

Class 1: Overview of Historical Context and Novel Introduction

Class 2: Literature Discussion; Project Introduction

Class 3: Literature Discussion; Cultural Overview

Class 4: Literature Discussion; Fiction Writing Tips

Class 5: Literature Discussion; Final Project Instructions

Class 6 Literature Analysis and Historical Connections; Student Project Showcase

Course Materials: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy, ISBN-10:1420955438; ISBN-13: 978-1420955439 (https://amzn.to/3f83w9V) or any unabridged version. Your student will use PowerPoint or Google Slides (free online) to create a final project.

Homework: Weekly quizzes and reading assignments. Each week, students will work on one project-based assignment that will culminate in a final novel project submission (due at the end of week 6). Homework (including novel reading) will take 1.5-3 hours per week. Parents are encouraged to support younger students by reading texts aloud and helping with project planning and execution.