There is no doubt that literacy is a foundational and fundamental skill. Many classrooms and homeschooled students participate in novel studies and all students learn how to read independently. Incorporating and tying in different types of activities that students can complete during reading a novel or after finishing it will allow your students to express what they learned using different skills that they have and demonstrate their knowledge.
1. Vlogs
Assess whether students understand key concepts in the novel you are studying with this type of project. A vlog is perfect for students who enjoy working with technology and offers them a task to get excited about if reading is not their favorite thing.
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2. Mind Maps
Mind Maps can help students sort through the major events that happened in a story, organize character traits or take a look at the setting. The possibilities and uses for mind maps have no limit. They are very versatile and there are a lot of templates online.
Learn More: The Literary Maven
3. Text to Self Connections
Being able to make connections between reading, and literacy overall is important. Graphic organizers like these can help your students sort through their thoughts while writing down how they relate to the characters in the text you are currently studying.
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4. Symbolism Suitcase
This idea is especially helpful for those abstract thinkers in your classroom. It can serve as an excellent and engaging pre-reading activity as you can have the students guess what the novel they are about to read and study is going to be about.
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5. Design and App For a Character
This project would make a fantastic collaborative activity in your classroom if you have particular groups of students working on the same novel. This idea is another great one for those students who enjoy working with technology and are creative as well.
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6. Map Maker
This activity is one of the students’ favorite reading activities because it integrates art as well by drawing the story setting. Your students that enjoy drawing and working with art will especially love this novel activity. Test their independent reading skills by their understanding. Middle-school readers love this one!
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7. Character Interview
As a middle school teacher, you might be wanting to merge certain subjects together and get multiple assessments and marks for one assignment. A character interview like this one doubles as a drama activity too. Bring the book character to life!
Learn More: Education to the Core
8. Literature Circles
You can have your students discuss the book or books they are reading in this book club manner. This will work if you’re students are working on reading different books. You can prepare inferential questions, essential questions, and comprehension questions beforehand.
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9. Letter Writing
Check student understanding by having them write letters about the novel. This activity is wonderful because it can take so many different forms. You will learn about student voices in how they write as well and learn what kind of authors they are.
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10. Memory Transmission
Being able to recall certain main events in the novel is a critical skill. This memory transmission worksheet deals with describing and recalling critical events from the story as if they were memories to you and you are talking to the characters themselves.
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11. Novel Choice Board
Sometimes the best thing you can do is give your students a choice. A choice board like this one will give your students the illusion of choice from options you have already pre-selected. You can even make a square that is dedicated to their idea that needs to be approved.
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12. A Plot Diagram
Being able to sequence events properly is paramount in literacy. Sequencing as an essential skill needs to be explicitly taught, however. Organizers and worksheets like this one will support your students as they organize their thoughts. Take a look!
Learn More: Mrs. Spangler in the Middle
13. Storyboard
Designing and creating a storyboard of the key events in a plot will support your students in the comprehension side of this novel study as they are doing a hands-on activity with abstract text. Teaching novels can include technology as well as you appeal to different learning styles.
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14. Host a Classroom Debate
Classroom debates can promote deep discussions. You must make sure to decide and share some ground rules before beginning. Rules such as being kind and respectful to others as well as agreeing in a healthy way are some examples to implement.
Learn More: The Daring English Teacher
15. Use Art
You could utilize this idea at the beginning of a novel study, in the middle, or at the end. Having the students create art that reflects the story will promote excellent book discussion as well among the students. This is an excellent time to assess too.
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16. Exploring The Setting
Take a closer look at the actual setting of the book you are currently reading by having your students sign in and use Google Maps or Google Earth. They are additional resources that can be used. This is especially true if your book is non-fiction.
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17. Character Analysis
Character maps and character analysis tend to go hand in hand. Check out this broken-down worksheet that looks at how the character thinks, feels, and more! You can add this task to your task station or literacy corner.
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18. The Playlist
Musically inclined students will absolutely love this idea! Have the students make a playlist that reflects a component of the novel you are studying. Picking and choosing songs may get the students really excited about working on this novel study.
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19. Wanted Poster
A wanted poster is another creative way to give you an idea of if the students have understood and comprehended important parts of the story. Listing character traits and motives will definitely give you an idea of if they are on the right track.
Learn More: Science and Literacy
20. Book Tastings
Your students will spend a few minutes reading and commenting on the book that is currently in the place setting they are sitting. There are many considerations with an activity like this: students’ reading levels and attention spans, for example.
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21. Speed Dating
This speed dating idea is similar to the book tasting. Students will quickly look at a few elements of the book and then share their assessments of these books after they rate them in a couple of different ways. Students may find a book they would love to read.
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22. Group Characterization Assignment
Students can work in pairs or groups to state and support the traits of characters in the book they are reading. This is a good introduction to explaining the process of finding text-based evidence and supporting your arguments. They can include a picture as well!
Learn More: Minds in Bloom
23. Pronoun Perspective
Teaching and learning about points of view in stories can be confusing. Differentiating words that are used to write from certain points of view can give students a clue as to which point of view the author is writing from. Bring attention to these pronouns.
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24. Heads Up
This idea can double as a super fun game. Names, objects, and places that are vital to the story will be written on cards and the students will need to describe them to their partners or group members to get a point.
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