Virtual Reading Merit Badge

What: In this class scouts will get the chance to experience reading and analyzing literature from a variety of mediums. Scouts will also learn how to review some of their favorite books. Reading is an important part of life. 

 Meet your Counselor - Jonathan Ryder is a former Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Camp Yawgoog staff (Sandy Beach, Rah Rah!!!).   He is a currently a Cubmaster and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, the father of a Cub Scout.  Outside of Scouting, Jonathan is a Librarian and Research Teacher for the Providence School Department.  In his alleged free time, he is active with the Pawtuxet Rangers, and (as would be expected of a librarian) really enjoys a good book.

WHO: Open to all Scouts BSA members.

HOW:  This Merit Badge will be taught in a virtual classroom. The class has a capacity of 20 Scouts. Small classroom size provides all students with the opportunity to share and interact with the counselors and other Scouts. Scouts should be prepared to be challenged and to join the conversation! Participants who do not engage with the class may not receive credit for the badge. Scouts must be prompt for all badge sessions. Late participants may not receive credit for all requirements. Scouts must use a device with video to access this class.

Before beginning work on any merit badge, scouts are to have a discussion with their unit leader regarding the specific badge and counselor.

WHEN: This class will be held virtually over four sessions:

June 1, 2020 7:00PM-8:30PM EST.

June 8, 2020 7:00PM-8:30PM EST.

June 15, 2020 7:00PM-8:30PM EST.

June 22, 2020 7:00PM-8:30PM EST.

Scouts must attend all four sessions to complete the offered requirements.

After registering, Scouts will receive a link and login information via email the day of scheduled class. Scouts will also receive instructor details that can be used to connect to the counselor on Scoutbook. This assures that completed requirements are easily recorded. 

PREREQUISITES:  Read four books of different genres.  Examples of Genres include: Nonfiction, Biography, Poetry, Science Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Horror, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Urban Fiction, Graphic Novel.

Spend Four Hours reading to a younger sibling, cousin, or family friend.  Given the current COVID 19 situation, this can be done over Zoom, or via Social Distancing.  These four hours do not have to be completed all at once.

Lesson Plan: Reading:

Prerequisite

• Read four books of different genres.  Examples of Genres include: Nonfiction, Biography, Poetry, Science Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Horror, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Urban Fiction, Graphic Novel.
• Req 6: Spend Four Hours reading to a younger sibling, cousin, or family friend.  Given the current COVID 19 situation, this can be done over Zoom, or via Social Distancing.  These four hours do not have to be completed all at once.

Session 1 - Virtual tour of Classical High School's library.  I will go over how to use the online catalog, and how to use the databases.

Have the students complete 1a-1c.  1d cannot be done, scouts would need to physically find books in a library using the recourses from 1a-1c.

Requirements 2a - 2b could be done in the same session.

Go over how to write a book review. 

HW: Write book reviews to complete 3a.

Session 2

Scouts go over their book reviews.

Counselor goes over databases, and lets the scouts read from different sources.

HW:  5

Session 3

Scouts go over work from 5.  

Counselor goes over the assignment for 4.

HW: 4

Session 4

Scouts present the results from 4