Independent Novel Study

Independent Novel Study

The purpose of an individual novel study is to read a novel that you are interested in for the purpose of study. 

Though you should enjoy reading this novel, your goal here is to get something more out of it than if you were just reading for pleasure. Ideally, you should push your reading abilities by studying a novel with a focus.

This is a good time to read a novel that you had been planning to get to sometime.  You might look at classic literature or award-winning fiction.  You might want to explore a genre, such as science-fiction, mystery, fantasy, or historical fiction, that you have been wanting to learn more about.

Above all, you should choose a novel that is new to you in some way and at or slightly above your reading level.  This isn't the time for re-reading a favourite or whipping through something easy. 

You will need to discuss your choice with your teacher.  Since this is individual, don't expect your teacher to have read the novel.  However, you may decide to read a novel that your teacher has read before.  Ask for suggestions.

Getting a novel

Start by asking at your school for novels that you might consider.  Also, ask family members if there are novels around that you should read.

Otherwise, head to your local public library or thrift store once you have an idea of what you are looking for.

If you would like to read a classic and have a tablet or e-reader, you could look at Project Gutenberg which has over 45,000 books in the public domain. It is a good place to find classics by authors such as Mark Twain, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens. 

Some other excellent sources are CBC Books 108 Indigenous Writers or Canada Reads past winners.

Daily Reading

DAILY READING

"Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself.
You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world.
You bring your history and you read it in your own terms."
Angela Carter

You are encouraged to read every day, and what you read will be your choice. Here are some guidelines to help you get the most out of your reading.

• You should read a fiction book - magazines, newspapers, and comic books don't have the volume of text to enable you to develop fluency in your reading, nor will they help you discover who you are as a reader of literature.  However, there are some excellent nonfiction options available (consider biographies, autobiographies).
• Don't read a book you don't like. There are plenty of great books out there waiting for you.
• If you don't like your book, find another one. Give it a chapter or two, but after that, if you are not engaged, abandon it.
• Realize that reading is thinking - read actively NOT passively. Don't read while you are doing something else.
• REMEMBER: This needs to be a book you have NOT read ; a book that you have read in another English class OR one that is usually studied in an English class will not be acceptable.

Overview

For your English Language Arts 10 Novel Study you will be required to do the following:

• Choose a book
• You are responsible for finding a copy of the book.
• Break your book up into 4 Sections.
• Submit a Reading Plan to your teacher.
• Write 2 Response Logs (one at the half-way point and one at the end).
• Contribute to a Be Your Novel's Critic FORUM.
• Create a TIC-TAC-TOE Activity as your final project.

This is a quick overview of the assignments for this unit.  However, be sure you read over the specific assignment instructions that follow for each one.  Review the marking rubrics for the assignments before you start.

ASSIGNMENT 1: Reading Plan

Task:

This is a pre-reading activity and should be completed BEFORE you begin reading your novel.  It is designed to begin a process of thought that will help you to better understand your novel.  It will also help you to make stronger predictions about the text as you read.  First create a reading plan and then answer some questions to begin to examine your novel.

A.  Create a Reading Plan

B.  Examine Your Novel

Respond to the following questions in complete sentences as you being the initial examination of your novel.

1.  Describe the front cover of your novel.  Try to include as much detail as possible, so that someone without access to this book could visualize the cover.

2.  Read the back cover.  Based on your examination of both covers, what do you KNOW about this novel?  This should not be an assumption or prediction.  Simply put into your own words what you have learned from the book's covers.

3.  Make a prediction about the story's plot?  What will happen?  What leads you to this conclusion?  What is the genre of the storyline?

4.  What do you know about this author?  Have you read this author before?  Research an interesting fact about the author.

5.  Why did you choose this novel?  

Assessment:  Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.  

Learning Target:  Exemplary (6/6) - Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective.  Student makes a thorough attempt to examine the novel and plan for reading.  Ideas are well supported and responses demonstrate maturity of thought and writing. All activities are complete. Student has effectively prepared to read this novel. 

Written Expression:  Exemplary (6/6):  Sentence structure and vocabulary are varied, skillfully written, and carefully chosen.  Work has been proofread and there are few or no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.  Content contributes to the central idea and makes insightful connections with logical organization.

Submission:  

ASSIGNMENTS 2 AND 3: Response Logs

Task:

Halfway through your novel, you will write a Halfway Response Log.  You will also write one when you have completed reading your novel called a Final Response Log. These logs will document your journey through the book.

These are not, however, summaries of your story. They are your analyses and understanding of the novel and your thoughts and opinions ABOUT what you are reading (the themes, events, characters, etc.). Reflect on ways the ideas in the novel deepened your understanding about your own identity, others, and the world.It is important you include the date, author, and the name of your novel in the first sentence of each journal.You need to write THREE paragraphs in your Response Log.  Responses should be at least 600 words (in total) and include relevant quotations from the novel.

Paragraph One: The Language, Details and Ideas of the Section

• For this paragraph you are going to write about the words on the page, how the author is writing. You are going to respond to the vocabulary, characterization, details of the writing, elements of style, subtle language details that the author included...etc.

• Examples: Any figurative language the author is using (metaphors, symbolism etc.). How did the author create the setting in your mind. How do they use language to help their ideas. Are you starting to see a writing style emerge? How does the author's chosen point of view help or hinder his/her writing?  Discuss how the language of the novel shapes ideas and influences others.

• You need to use specific examples/quotations from the novel

Paragraph Two: The Relationships and Character Development of the Section

• For this paragraph you are going to write about the character developments/ relationships in the novel. This is not a summary, but you are going to discuss how the characters are developing. Make judgments about the relationships in the story, the content and purpose of the story.

• Examples: Relationships between the characters. Development of a character...why are they the way they are?

Paragraph Three: Your Understanding and Appreciation of the Section

• For this paragraph you are going to write about your personal response to the section you've read. You should discuss your personal understanding and experience with the reading. Explore and integrate insightful understandings and appreciation for your reading.  Reflect on ways the ideas in the novel deepened your understanding about your own identity, others, and the world.

• Examples: Do you see things in a new way? Have you experienced something similar? What if it was you? How does it make you feel? How do you react?

• A quotation that really spoke to you may be helpful in this section.

ASSIGNMENT 4: FORUM: Be Your Novel's Critic

Task:

A FORUM is a place where your peers will be able to read and respond to your SUMMARY/CRITIQUE of the novel.You will complete the FORUM/DISCUSSION after you have finished reading the novel.

1. Go to the main page of the course and click on 5.4 Forum:  Be Your Novel's Critic.  Start a new discussion topic by clicking on Add a New Discussion Topic.
   • SUMMARIZE the novel you read in 100 - 200 words.  CRITIQUE the novel.  Write an entry that will start a discussion about the novel. You DON'T want to give away the ending, but you do want to discuss the merits of the novel and question any aspects of the novel you found puzzling or incongruous or that reminded you of real-life issues.
2. Reply/Respond to someone else's discussion topic by clicking on their topic and selecting Reply.  Your response should provide an analysis of the discussion in the post and some original ideas. Try using the following prompts to guide your response to another post.  "I wonder…"  "I know…"  "I can…"  Don't just agree or disagree.

Assessment:  Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.  

Learning Target: (Exemplary 6/6): Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective. The summary demonstrates exemplary understanding of the novel.  The critique/discussion starter is exceptionally thought-provoking and reflects higher level thinking.  Content is clear, concise, and original and makes insightful connections between self and text.  Student demonstrates exemplary active reading skills to comprehend and respond to text in personal, creative, and critical ways.  

Response/Reply:  Exemplary (6/6):  The response/reply is thoughtful, insightful and respectfully exchanges ideas and viewpoints.  Student demonstrates an exceptional level of understanding and communication of shared information.

Submission:

Use the "5.4 FORUM:  Be Your Novel's Critic" link on the main page of this section of the course to to post your forum response to your teacher for marking.

ASSIGNMENT 5: Final Project

Task:

NOVEL TIC-TAC-TOE

Select and complete TWO activities from two different horizontal rows (character, setting, theme) to help you and others think about your novel.  Remember to make your work thoughtful, original, accurate, and detailed. Use quotations from your novel to support your analysis.  As well, use visuals to enhance your final presentation.  You might consider using graphic organizers from the folder at the top of the course as part of your visual presentation.  You only need to do TWO of the activities in total.

Suggestions for Software

Below are some tools you could use for your Final Project. Consider using one of the online options because these options make it easier for you to upload your Project to your teacher.

• Prezi - Prezi is an online presentation tool that helps you organize and share your ideas.
• Google Presentation - Part of the Google Docs family of web applications, this presentation tool allows you to import PowerPoint  or OpenOffice presentations as well as creating new ones from scratch. It also allows you to export your presentations as PowerPoint or .pdf file
• Zoho Show - Zoho Show is an online presentation tool that helps you to create and deliver presentations. You can now take your presentations wherever you go, apply new ideas instantly, review, edit, share and deliver presentations on the go.
• Open Office Impress - Impress is part of the FREE Open Office suite of productivity tools (similar to Microsoft Office but FREE!) and is a truly outstanding tool for creating effective multimedia presentations. 

Assessment:  Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.  

Learning Target: (Exemplary 6/6): Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective.  Student demonstrates exemplary active reading skills to comprehend and respond to text in personal, creative, and critical ways.  Text references and ideas generated are thoughtful and unique. Project displays an exemplary understanding of plot, characters, and setting.

Content and Organization:  (Exemplary 6/6):  Content contributes to the central idea and makes insightful connections.  Exceptional organizational structure.  Project demonstrates a clear understanding of the novel's development of plot, characters, setting.  There is a thoroughly developed sequence of events or time order that engages the reader and moves to a powerful conclusion.

Written Expression:  Exemplary (6/6):  Sentence structure and vocabulary are varied, skillfully written, and carefully chosen.  Work has been proofread and there are few or no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. 

Overall Presentation:  Exemplary (6/6):  The creative presentation adds to the content and shows evidence of outstanding effort and imagination.  Products show exemplary original thought and insight.  Ideas are clearly presented and visually effective.

Submission:

Use the "5.5 FINAL PROJECT:  Novel Study" link on the main page of this section of the course to upload your assignment to your teacher for marking.