Novel Study: Keeper N Me

Lesson 1

Lesson Title / Focus : Novel Study Introduction

Subject / Grade Level : English 20
Unit: Novel Study - Keeper N Me

Teacher: Karla Powell
Date:Wednesday March 9, 2016
Time / Duration: 3hours
Outcomes from Alberta Program of Studies
2.1.3, 1.2, 1.1.1b,
2.1abcd, 2.1.3 a, 2.2.1 ,
3.2.3 a b,
4.1a,
Learning Objectives
Students will:

Students
Students
Students
Students

will
will
will
will

develop an awareness around the structure of a novel.

connect their previous experiences to topics discussed in the novel
begin to develop their own ideas about why the author wrote the novel.
critical listen to the novel and write notes
Assessments

-Pay close attention to how students are reacting to the novel and its content. Are the students
interested in the novel? Are they engaged in the activities? Are they developing questions and
predictions?

- What is the purpose of reading a novel?

- How does an authors perspective influence the voice and tone of the novel?
-

Finish Photo Essays

Present Photo Essays
Gallery Walk
Reading Notes
Learning Resources

Materials and Equipment

- Keeper N Me Novels
- 50 Instructional Routines to Develop Content
Literacy

- Program of Study

- Export slide show to PDF & export video from

youtube to a MP4 file

- copies of questions
- chart paper

- Keeper N Me Novels
Procedure
- Students will have completed poetry and reading comprehension activities
Introduction
Today we are starting our novel study!

Novel Study: Keeper N Me

Lesson 1
Body

Finish Photo Essays - 30minutes

hand out poster boards
make a list of students who still need photos printed
Present Photo Essays- 20minutes
Move desks out of the way and get students to sit in a circle. Students will take turns presenting
their photo essays. 2min/student
Ask the students to explain their pictures and explain why they decided to use them and share the
text portion as well
Novel Introduction Slide Show:
- Introduce the novel, the author, and the structure of the novel study
- Explain that the novel is divided into four parts and that the voice is the novel is either the voice of
Keeper - in italics and Garnet Raven
- Explain that the novel is set in Toronto and on the White Dog reserve in northern Ontario. Use a
map to identify the geographical location
- Show Richard Wagamese book award youtube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=t0z9rYHbQ8E
- Ask the students to discuss with their table partner what they think Wagamese meant when he
states that he believes that Humanity is lifted up be arts and what this video tells us about the
author, what did you notice about him ? (have the quote displayed on a slide)
- After the students have discussed with their elbow partner engage the class in a whole class
discussion
- Ensure that the class understands what Wagamese means be Humanity lifted up by arts >
How do we express our experiences through the arts? - How does that connect people? How are
novels pieces of art
- Ask the students what they think the purpose of art and novels are? Do they agree with
Wagamese ?

Activate Prior Knowledge - Gallery walk / Graffiti walk

Groups will be made strategically using name cards and group poster
each group will be assigned a colour - this is the colour that they will use when they write on the
posters. This will allow for the teacher to ensure that all groups are participating
First explain the activity and then do a example with the class
chart paper will be displayed around the room with themes and topic from the novel displayed
students will then walk around with their partners and will write any questions, thoughts, wonders
or comments about the topic
Students will get 5 minutes at each piece of chart paper before they are asked to switch. A timer
will be used on the projector to keep the students on task
After the students have gone to each piece of chart paper the entire class will walk around and
talk about the content on the chart paper
Students will work independently for 20 minutes the share in groups for 10 minutes

Novel Study: Keeper N Me

Lesson 1

Explain the structure of the rest of the novel study

Explain the the students the skills that will be developed throughout the unit and the assignments
and assessments:
- reading , writing, viewing, representing
- Daily collaborative activities
- Learning Centres
- Writing activities - Book 1, Book 2, Book 3&4
- Class discussion
- Final group project
Start Reading Novel - Discuss active listening
Explain to the students that after a chapter is finished that we will go through and be answering
questions
Explain to the students that the notes are a way for them to remember what we have read so they
will be prepared for the writing activities and the final project
Start reading novel p1-34
Stop throughout the novel and ask questions

Sponge Activity
Reflection activity - Free Write and respond to this quote
Anishanabe are pretty big on magic, she says. Not so much the pullin rabbits outta hats kinda
magic but more the pullin leaning outta everything aroundem. A common magic that teaches you
how to live with each other p.11
What do you think Ma means by common magic ?
Closure
Questions / Observations:
Exit Slip: Emoji Exit slip