Reed Novel Studies
Rascal: Novel Study
Some say a dog is a man's best friend. However, in Rascal, it is not a dog that captures a boy's heart—but a raccoon. Scholars read about the boy and Rascal's adventures while they complete activities about the story. Activities include...
Curated OER
Hoot: KWHL
How can we help endangered animals? Learn about which animals are endangered and what people can do to protect them with a lesson based on Carl Hiaasen's Hoot. After completing a KWHL chart to note what they already know and what...
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John Steinbeck
This presentation is made up of basic information about John Steinbeck including historical background and excerpts from several of his novels. It is an overview of his life and times. Two of the slides list several links to...
University of Wisconsin
Teaching Things Fall Apart in Wisconsin: A Resource Guide for Educators
“There is no story that is not true, . . .” And uncovering the truths in Things Fall Apart is the focus of a 68-page resource packet designed to provide instructors with a wealth of materials that enhance understanding of Chinua Achebe’s...
Annenberg Foundation
Masculine Heroes
What were the driving forces behind American expansion in the nineteenth century, and what were its effects? Scholars watch a video, read biographies, engage in discussion, write journals and poetry, draw, and create a multimedia...
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Vocabulary
Fifth graders review two or three chapters of a novel. In this literature activity, 5th graders list new words, write the definition of the word on the bottom of the paper and choose a picture in a magazine that represents that word.
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A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
Students study and explore the portrayal and development of a major character in a novel from the novel, "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens. They identify words and phrases that effectively describe the main character in this novel....
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Enriching Student Inquiry into Endangered Animals
Students read aloud novel Hoot, by Carl Hiassen, choose endangered animal, complete individual research projects related to their interest, prepare persuasive writing piece, and compare and contrast two endangered animals.
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Laurence Yep's Dragonwings
Students read independently the novel, "Dragonwings," by Laurence Yep and make connections between a text and the world. They summarize, paraphrase, analyze and evaluate skimming and scanning techniques when reading a novel. Each student...
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Stump the Dump Maze Game
Students complete reading Because of Winn-Dixie individually or as a class. As students reunite Opal and Winn-Dixie in this timed reading comprehension maze game, they demonstrate their understanding of the novel's plot, theme, and...
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"The Giver"- A Novel Study
Here are some resources and lesson ideas to incorporate into a literature study of the novel "The Giver" by Lois Lowry.
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Integrating Science and Literature: Life as We Knew It
Supplement your science units with science fiction novels!
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Literature: Isabel Allende
Students watch and respond to a Bill Moyers Now video on the Chilean author, Isabel Allende. They brainstorm a list of recent events that might inspire writers and choose one to write about in poetic, diary, or short story form.
National First Ladies' Library
Finding Treasure Island; An Exciting Escape
Students read Treasure Island. They have a choice of a number of activities associated with the novel, including writing a review of the book. Students also participate in a National Geographic High Seas Adventure, going on an Internet...
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Graphic Organizer Collection: Character
In this collection of graphic organizers for a literature unit, students will complete 22 different graphic organizers on the topic of character development. For example, this collection includes character analysis and various attribute...
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Johnny Got His Gun
For this online interactive reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to twenty-five multiple choice questions about Dalton Trumbo's novel, Johnny Got His Gun. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
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The Giver - Essay Questions
In this literature worksheet, students respond to 15 short answer and essay questions about Lowry's The Giver. Students may also link to an online interactive quiz on the novel at the bottom of the page.
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Seedfolks
Young scholars explore sequencing. In this sequencing lesson, students sequence events to analyze character actions as cause and effect or the plot of the story. Young scholars discuss character actions and list them on a chart.
Small Planet Communications
Planet Book Club: Number the Stars
Planning a novel study of Lois Lowry's Number the Stars? Then look no further. A 16-lesson unit guides students through a reading of this awarding-winning novel. Complete with a synopsis of the novel, analysis of its literary themes,...
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Pilkey Author Study
Third graders read and hear stories by the author, Dav Pilkey and research the list of books written by this author. They become illustrators to the novel "Captain Underpants: An Epic Novel," then they create a timeline of their lives...
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Famous Authors Find the Definition Worksheet
Consider using this activity as a group work exercise early in a novel study unit. Learners must identify the meaning of words associated with narrative literature. An answer key is provided.
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I Have to Change!? The Role of the Adolescent in the Family
Sixth graders examine the changes occuring during adolescents using children's literature. As a class, they brainstorm a list of the various roles they play in their family. In groups, they use excerpts of plays from Shakespeare to...
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A Separate Peace Bingo Teacher's Guide
Students complete an activity with the book A Separate Peace. In this vocabulary lesson, students get a list of vocabulary words to find the definitions of. They make a bingo card with the words and the teacher reads the...
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The Time Machine - Layered Curriculum Study
Students complete three activities of their choice from a given list surrounding their study of H.G. Wells' novel, The Time Machine. They choose activities from each of the seven learning styles.