Novel Study Time!

Reading is very important for learning. To help you to improve your reading and hopefully to encourage you
to read more, I am presenting you with your first novel study. You will read one book and complete ONE of the
following items. Complete each choice only ONCE so consider your choices carefully!

You must answer the following questions, each in their OWN paragraph:

1) Personal connection made while reading the book - what did it remind you of? Can you
relate to any of the characters?

2) Morals of the story - what are the lessons of the story?

3) Themes of the story - what themes are being communicated (ie. war time, courage, peace)

4) Personal book review of the story - what did you like? What would you have changed
about the story etc.)

5) Artist statement of visual - why did you choose to create your visual? What materials did
you use? How does it represent your understanding of the book?

During each reading period, you should be choosing at least one of the following to remember and enhance
your understanding of what you have read:

-Summarizing (I'll say to myself the important parts I've read so far and organize those parts into a few
simple concise sentences/points.)

-Retelling ( I'll say to myself what I've read in my own words.)

-Predicting (I will name the problem, give a solution to the problem and give a reason for why I think this
will happen!)

-Monitoring (I will make sure that what I am reading makes sense... I'll re-read and find target a.k.a.
'important words')

-Empathizing ( I'll use my imagination to feel what someone else is feeling - "putting yourself in someone
elses shoes")

-Elaborating ( I'll add information to what I've read using my own background knowledge a.ka. "what I
already know")

-Inferencing ( Understanding ideas in a book that the author hasn't even said... We call this "reading
between the lines"

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Options for Visuals

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1. Write a 1 page response to the following questions: Which character would you like to have for a friend?
Why? Be clear in your explanations. Consider the following:
- Is the character similar to one of your friends? In what way?
- Is the character similar or different from you?
- What character trait in particular do you admire?

2. Write a1-page journal entry explaining how you felt as your read the book. Some suggestions of things you
might talk about:
- Did it remind you of something you have done?
- Does it talk about something you would really like to do?
- Did something in the book surprise you?
- Is there something in the book that really made you stop and think?

3. Choose one of the important scenes in your book. Using a medium of your choice, create a model, diagram,
picture of that scene. Write a short paragraph explaining why you choose this particular scene

4. In 2 or 3 pages, rewrite either the ending or one of the scenes. Make sure you include enough information
that the reader will be able to follow your writing.

5. Write a letter to the author giving feedback on the book. Consider including the following:
a. What parts of the book did you like? The plot, the characters, the setting? Why?
b. How could the author improve the book?
c. How could the author write a sequel to the book? In what ways could they continue the plot?
d. How might the author improve the book jacket?

6. Create a visual representation of the main theme or lesson that you learned from the book. Please check with
Mrs. MacGowan before you begin.

7. Your choice. You must obtain my permission before you choose this option. Come talk to me!