PRE-Ap Independent Novel Assignments and Activities Mr. Sanders

Day 1 & 2 – 10/23 and 10/24 Check out a book that interests you. Bring this book to class each day. Separate the book into four (4) sections (divide equally by total chapters or pages). Choose an assignment to go along with section 1. (see next slide) Begin reading and working on assignment – due next Thursday (Nov. 2) during Novel day.

Possible Activities for Novel Section 1 Choose one of the following activities for Section 1 (50 pts): Create a mini-dictionary with 20 vocabulary words – must be in alphabetical order and include the definition of the word as well as the page number where the word was found in your novel. Create word webs for 10 vocabulary words; page number from novel should be included on the word web. Make trading cards (baseball cards) for 4 characters from this section. Create a time line of the events of this section – must have at least 10 events. Create a collage of pictures, words, and symbols that sum up this section. A collage fills up the entire page. Create a map of the setting for this section – include information about each place and its importance. Create a travel brochure about the setting of the novel – include sites to see, restaurants, history… Remember you can only complete an activity once. No repeats on future sections.

Novel Day – Section 1 – 11/2 Get into groups of four or five. Go around the group and give a 30 second “promo” of your book – you may use the back of your novel to get you started. Don’t forget to tell the group about the protagonist and antagonist of your novel. Go around the group and share your assignments. Vote on the best assignment for the group – This person will share his/her assignment with the class. Come back together as a class and share the best of the best. Choose an assignment for the next section – Remember you can only complete an activity once. No repeats on future sections. Begin reading Section 2 and working on assignment – due next Thursday (Nov. 9) during Novel day.

Possible Activities for Novel Section 2 Choose one of the following activities for Section 2 (50 pts): Make trading cards (baseball cards) for 4 characters from this section. Create a collage of pictures, words, and symbols that sum up this section. A collage fills up the entire page. “Interview” a character – Choose a character and write 10 interview questions and answer them as the character would. Choose a character – not narrating the story – and create a diary or blog from his or her point of view – must have at least 5 entries. Create a picture time line of the events of this section – must have at least 5 events. Create a time line of the events of this section – must have at least 10 events. Create a comic strip detailing the events of this section – must have at least 5 boxes. Create an illustration that sums up this section – must include 5 or more sentences explaining the picture. Remember you can only complete an activity once. No repeats on future sections.

Novel Day – Section 2 – 11/9 Get into groups of four or five. Go around the group and share the main conflict of your novel thus far, and predict for the group how you believe the conflict will be resolved. Go around the group and share your activity. Vote on the best activity for the group – This person will share his/her activity with the class. Come back together as a class and share the best of the best. Choose an assignment for the next section – Remember you can only complete an activity once. No repeats on future sections. Begin reading Section 3 and working on assignment – due next Thursday (Nov. 16) during Novel day.

Possible Activities for Novel Section 3 Choose one of the following activities for Section 3 (50 pts): Create a grab bag with 5 objects that represent this section – must have 2-3 sentences explaining the importance of each object. Create a “mobile” with 5 objects that represent this section – must have 2-3 sentences explaining the importance of each object. “Interview” a character – Choose a character and write 10 interview questions and answer them as the character would. Create a picture time line of the events of this section – must have at least 5 events. Create a comic strip detailing the events of this section – must have at least 5 boxes. Create an illustration that sums up this section – must include 5 or more sentences explaining the picture. Build a model/diorama of an important building or place from this section. Include information about the place. Fill in a Flow chart for the events of this section. Must include at least 5 large boxes and 10 small boxes. Remember you can only complete an activity once. No repeats on future sections.

Novel Day – Section 3 – 12/01 Get into your book groups. Go around the group and share some examples of character development from your novel – how have your characters changed or stayed the same – who are the flat characters and who are the round characters; static and dynamic? Go around the group and share your assignments. Vote on the best assignment for the group – This person will share his/her assignment with the class. Come back together as a class and share the best of the best. Choose an assignment for the next section – Remember you can only complete an activity once. No repeats on future sections. Begin reading Section 4 and working on next assignment.

Possible Activities for Novel Section 4 Choose one of the following activities for Section 4 (50 pts): Write a newsletter about this novel. Must have at least 3 different pieces in the newsletter. Create a zoo book about the characters in this section. Choose five characters, choose an animal he/she resembles, include picture of the animal and reasoning why this character is like this animal. Must be in book format. Create a counting book (1-10) for this section. Must count things that are actually included in the novel – not just random objects. Needs pictures and explanations. Must be in book format. Create a musical instruments book – Choose five characters, choose an instrument he/she resembles, include picture of the instrument and reasoning why this character is like this instrument. Must be in book format. Write an obituary for one of the characters – must be at least 100 words. “Interview” a character – Choose a character and write 10 interview questions and answer them as the character would. Write and perform a song or rap about this section. Must include music as well as lyrics. Write a narrative poem about this novel - must be at least 15 lines and have some rhyme. Remember you can only complete an activity once. No repeats on future sections.

Novel Day – Section 4 – Fri 12/08 Get into groups of four or five. Go around the group and give a one minute critique of your novel. Would you recommend this novel to your friends? What were your favorite and least favorite parts? Go around the group and share your assignments. Vote on the best assignment for the group – This person will share his/her assignment with the class. Come back together as a class and share the best of the best. Review the requirements for the final project.

Final Project – Due FRI 12/15 Each student will present his/her culminating project to the class on Friday, December 8th. Each project must consist of the following: A summary of the novel - should be at least 150 words and three paragraphs (beginning, middle, end) (30 points) A visual representation of the novel and explanation (picture can be drawn, painted, or computer generated)(30 points) A paragraph critique of the novel (the good and bad of the novel) (15 points) Presentation – explain each part and tell us what you learned from the novel (25 points) The project and presentation are worth 100 points! Each weekly project is worth 100 points (total 300 pts.) plus Final Project (100 pts.) equals 400 pts.