5.2 Novel Study Reading Projects

Overview

Consider again the questions posed at the beginning of this unit:

Forming meaningful connections is the cornerstone of society. 

How do people develop essential relationships with the people and world around them?

What effect do these connections have on the kind of person one will become?

For your reading project for this unit, choose ONE of the following choices and click on the related page in this book to get more details:

A. Create a poster size map of the town and area where the novel takes place- the setting of the novel. Include as many details and locations as possible based on the novel and your imagination and specific details from the book. List the important moments when a character demonstrated a connection to another person or object or to nature and began building a relationship and identify the location where it happened on the map.  Write 5 paragraphs that explain the significance of the events on the character.

B.  Create a character diary. Step into the mind of one of the main characters in your novel. Write 5 diary entries that describe a meaningful connection the character has made to another person, idea, or thing.  Put yourself "in their shoes" and imagine what they think about the relationship and how they feel about the relationship.  What effect has it had on the character? 

C. Create an illustrated family tree for one of the characters using the story as well as your imagination.  There should be at least 8 family members on your tree.  Include 5 well written paragraphs explaining the connection of 5 of the family members and identify their relationship as well as the impact on your character.

Evaluation will be based on organization, ideas, and conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation).

Click here for the rubric that will be used to grade your assignment.

Choice 1: Mapping It All Out

Create a poster size map of the town and area where the novel takes place- the setting of the novel.

• Include as many details and locations as possible using your imagination and specific details from the book.
• You must label all of the locations.

• List the important moments when a character demonstrated a connection to another person or object or to nature. In your legend, create a symbol for for these moments so that you can show the location where these significant moments of relationship-building took place on your map.
• List the important events in point form, that occurred at each area or location on your map.
• Remember to include a border, title, compass rose and legend. Make it look as much like a map as you can.
• From your list of important relationship-building events, choose the 5 most important ones according to you. Write a paragraph for each event explaining why you think it is important.
• Include a few details about the moment, but more importantly explain why each connection was so significant to the character.
• What impact did each event have on the development of the character?
• Did the setting and/or theme influence the events? Relate the event to the setting and/or theme as much as possible.

Organization: All places have clear and neat labels. All important details and locations are included. 

Content: Thoughtful, specific and effective details. Excellent analysis of each event, well written paragraphs. Thorough and complete description of each event.

Conventions: Use proper punctuation and sentences, and, paragraph formatting.

Choice 2: Character Diary

Create a character diary. Step into the mind of one of the main characters in your novel. Write 5 diary entries that describe a meaningful connection the character has made to another person, idea, or thing.  Put yourself "in their shoes" and imagine what they think about the relationship and how they feel about the relationship.  What effect has it had on the character? Include the following details in your character's diary:

Don't forget to write in 1st Person. The diary is from your character's perspective.

• Responses to at least 5 major events in the novel
  • How were you involved in the event?
  • Who else was involved?
  • What is your relationship to the others involved?
  • How did you feel about the events?
  • What emotions were you experiencing?
  • What are your thoughts on the other characters?
  • What impact does this event have on your relationship?
  • How does the setting impact you?
  • What are your hopes/dreams/secrets?
• Design a cover for your Character Diary and attach your entries behind it.
  • Does your cover reflect your character?
  • Are you a boy or a girl?
  • Would your diary be hand-written or typed?
  • Would you have a fancy diary or a plain one?
  • Relate your diary's cover as much as possible to the personality and dominant character traits of the character.

Content: Thoughtful, mature, specific and effective details. Shows deep understanding of character and character's relationship to others as well as the impact. Relates character's thoughts and feelings to major events in the novel. 5 thorough and complete diary entries. Diary cover reflects themes of the novel and accurately depicts the character's personality and relationship with others.

Organization: Well written and well edited. Typical diary details are included eg. salutation,date

Conventions: Proper punctuation and sentences.

Choice 3: Illustrated Family Tree

Create an illustrated family tree for one of the characters using the story as well as your imagination.  There should be at least 8 family members on your tree.  Include 5 well written paragraphs explaining the connection of 5 of the family members and identify their relationship as well as the impact on your character.

Begin by selecting one of the characters.  You might select the protagonist, for example.  Illustrate their family tree showing the relationship to your selected character.  Click here for an example of a family tree.  Your tree should include

• An illustration (may be hand-drawn, from the internet or from a magazine with proper references)
• A title (ex. Johnny Escapes)
• Lines to show the relationship to your character

Then write a well written paragraph for 5 of the family members.  Each paragraph must include the following:

• What is the relationship to your character?
• What type of relationship do they have?
• What effect does this relationship have on your character?
• Does your character change as a result of this relationship?  How?  or why not?

Content: Illustrated family tree with well 8 chosen relationships, 5 well-written explanations.

Organization: Includes major relationships in the correct familial order. Excellent pictures for each relationship. All important details are included.

Conventions: Proper punctuation and sentences.