Read the Novel

Now that you’ve chosen a novel, you can try using some of your pre-reading strategies from the Shakespeare unit on it. Review the course materials from the Pre-Reading assignment in the Shakespeare unit, and apply them to make sure you have a good idea about the themes that will be developed through your novel.

Video Diary

Record a video diary 5 times while reading your novel (as evenly spaced as you can make it, but also try to pick a sensible point) and answer the following questions:

  1. What happened in this section?

    • Summarize the events of the plot in the section.
  2. What is the writer doing to make it fun or interesting?

    • Explain how a theme is developed, how aspects of the characters are revealed, how writing techniques/literary devices are used, etc.
  3. Have you learned anything about the use of language?

    • Identify 2-3 words you haven’t come into contact with (or come into contact with rarely) from the section and suggest why it was used or why it was effective.

    • Describe:

      • Something in the writing that you want to copy.
      • Something that you want to avoid doing.

Assessment

Pre-Submission

Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.

What to Turn In

  • 📤
    Pre-Submission Self-Assessment Google Doc
  • 📤

    5 video diaries

Learning Goals

We are learning to:

  • 🎯

    Make inferences and develop deeper understanding of a novel

  • 🎯

    Increase fluency with grade-appropriate and academic vocabulary

  • 🎯

    Connect elements of writing and plot development to their effectiveness in student writing tasks

Success Criteria

I can:

  • Explore a range of story elements in videos, demonstrating my understanding of the novel

    Expectations Covered: RLS1, RLS2
  • Present ideas using grade-appropriate diction and analysis

    Expectations Covered: RLS3
  • Connect specific aspects of writing and plot development to their effectiveness in my assignments

    Expectations Covered: RLS4

Rubric

Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Knowledge / Understanding
How well does the student demonstrate understanding of the novel’s content?
Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the subtleties of the novel Demonstrates considerable understanding of the novel Demonstrates some understanding of the novel Demonstrates limited understanding of the novel
Thinking / Inquiry
How effectively does the student make inferences and understand the novel at a deeper level?
Makes inferences and demonstrates deep understanding of the novel very thoroughly Makes inferences and demonstrates deeper understanding of the novel Makes some inferences and demonstrates partial deeper understanding Demonstrates limited ability to make inferences or understand the novel deeply
Application
How effectively do the videos follow the plot and trace major themes?
Videos thoroughly follow the plot and trace major themes in a very engaging way Videos clearly follow the plot and trace major themes in an engaging way Videos mostly follow the plot and trace major themes with some engagement Videos show limited success in following the plot or tracing major themes
Communication
How effectively does the student use grade-appropriate vocabulary and presentation skills?
Uses exceptional vocabulary and presentation skills Uses grade-appropriate vocabulary and presentation skills to a considerable degree Mostly uses grade-appropriate vocabulary and presentation skills Uses limited grade-appropriate vocabulary and presentation skills
Knowledge / Understanding
Criteria: How well does the student demonstrate understanding of the novel’s content?
Level 4

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the subtleties of the novel

Level 3

Demonstrates considerable understanding of the novel

Level 2

Demonstrates some understanding of the novel

Level 1

Demonstrates limited understanding of the novel

Thinking / Inquiry
Criteria: How effectively does the student make inferences and understand the novel at a deeper level?
Level 4

Makes inferences and demonstrates deep understanding of the novel very thoroughly

Level 3

Makes inferences and demonstrates deeper understanding of the novel

Level 2

Makes some inferences and demonstrates partial deeper understanding

Level 1

Demonstrates limited ability to make inferences or understand the novel deeply

Application
Criteria: How effectively do the videos follow the plot and trace major themes?
Level 4

Videos thoroughly follow the plot and trace major themes in a very engaging way

Level 3

Videos clearly follow the plot and trace major themes in an engaging way

Level 2

Videos mostly follow the plot and trace major themes with some engagement

Level 1

Videos show limited success in following the plot or tracing major themes

Communication
Criteria: How effectively does the student use grade-appropriate vocabulary and presentation skills?
Level 4

Uses exceptional vocabulary and presentation skills

Level 3

Uses grade-appropriate vocabulary and presentation skills to a considerable degree

Level 2

Mostly uses grade-appropriate vocabulary and presentation skills

Level 1

Uses limited grade-appropriate vocabulary and presentation skills