Once Upon a Pen

Based on Mortimer Adler’s famous classic How to Read a Book and my book Before Austen Comes Aesop:  The Children’s Great Books and How to Experience Them, this class prepares students for the challenges of formal literature courses.  While some teachers and parents are able to spend time on developing these important literary study skills, many students need more focused instruction than is usually practical in a typical English course.  For most of the semester, we will work on skill-building using classic short tales.  During the last few weeks we will apply these skills to one of two important children’s books–either Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll, or The Little Prince,   by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Skills covered include the following:​

• keeping a reading notebook
• annotating literature
• taking notes
• completing an inspectional reading
• improving vocabulary
• answering discussion questions
• outlining a story
• mastering the elements of literature
• using the Freytag Pyramid to understand a story
• writing a personal response essay
• writing a literary analysis essay
• summarizing a story
• narrating a story
• examining a story through close reading
• cementing new skills with a book study

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
For the ’25-26 school year, this class will be offered upon request only. Please email me here.

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Tuition:  $250 + $30 non-refundable registration fee 
Class size:  1-8 students

Technical requirements:   webcam, microphone, headset or speakers, scanner or digital camera for handwritten assignments, and the following Google apps:  Gmail, Hangout, Meet, Drive, and Classroom

Course materials:
* spiral or sewn-binding notebook
* writing utensils (black or blue; additional fun colors optional)
* The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery — Please note: If most students have read this book, we will use Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll, or another short alternative.
* (optional) Before Austen Comes Aesop: The Children’s Great Books and How to Experience Them— Since the course is based on my book, students and parents may find it useful for reference.

Disclaimer:    Although this course is very basic and seeks to meet the needs of all students, I do approach literature from a Christian worldview.  Any discussions that may arise in class that relate to Christian ideas will be kept general, positive, and ecumenical.

Questions? Contact me!

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