Some teachers are straying away from the whole class novel, but, when done right, reading a book together as a class has many benefits. It can lead to group discussion. It can create a sense of unity in your classroom. And it can lend to some fun classroom activities that make the novel one students will never forget.
Here are ten activities to supplement your classroom novels. I'd love to hear more! Feel free to comment your own ideas.
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10. ALLUSION PROJECTS
Have students research and make presentations about cultural allusions found in the novel. For example, when we read Harry Potter, different groups make google slideshows about Nicholas Flemel, the elixir of life, unicorn folklore, goblin folklore, poltergeists, etc. When we read the Outsiders, groups make slideshows about Paul Newman, the Beatles, Great Expectations, Elvis, General Sherman, etc.
In their presentations, students had to describe their topic, give historical background, and explain its significance to the novel. Students also include pictures or other visual aids.
9. SAY SOMETHING
Instead of reading to the whole class, try having students read together in partnerships and encourage them to stop and discuss as they read. Give them a list of sentence starters they can use to "say something" to their partner. These include: "I like this part because..." , "I think what's going to happen is..." "This reminds me of..." "I don't understand why..."
This strategy creates friendships while encouraging kids to make text-to-text, text-to-world, and text-to-self connections. The more they actively engage with the text, asking questions and making predictions, the more they will understand and enjoy the novel.
8. SILENT DISCUSSION
At the end of the class novel, put up sheets of construction paper around the room with different discussion questions written at the top. Give each student a colored sharpie.
Students must stay silent as they walk around the room and write responses to the questions on the construction paper. They may also respond to other students' responses. Have them write their student number after each response so they can remain anonymous to their classmates while staying accountable to you, the teacher.
This strategy is great for students who are too shy to share their opinion out loud. When students can have a silent discussion through writing, the conversations can actually get pretty deep!
Aaaaand you don't have to hear noise for a half hour. Hallelujah.
7. BOOK JACKETS
Show the students different examples of book covers. Discuss how the books covers often capture the mood and tone of the book. Show models in which the cover displays a specific scene in the book, and others in which the text and artistry symbolize something about the theme (see Wonder). Have students design their own book jacket and compose a short explanation of why they made their artistic choices.
It's always great to give the artistic students a chance to shine! These are also fun to display around the must act as much like their assigned character as possible--extra points for dressing up! .
6. THEME COLLAGE
Have students pick a theme from the novel. They must then create a "theme collage."
Let them search through old magazines and cut out pictures that have to do with the theme, either literally or symbolically. Let them use different fonts and colors to print out their favorite quotes from the book that relate to their theme.
Not only is this project is visually appealing and fun, but it allows kids to think more deeply about the themes in the novel. They will discover how themes permeates novels in ways they wouldn't have previously noticed!
5. BIG PEOPLE
Students go crazy about this one. Assign each group a character. Give them a large sheet of construction paper and have them trace a body. They must draw their character using specific details from the book.
Students will fill the inside of the body with details about the characters. As a teacher, you have freedom here. Is your class struggling with parts of speech? Have them write ten adjectives that describe the character as well as ten nouns that relate to the character. Is your class struggling with citations? Have them quote the character and cite the page number in MLA format. Use your imagination!
4. Q&A PANEL
Have students write questions they would like to ask different character in the book. Discuss with students the types of questions that would be appropriate to ask: questions about motives/backstory/future plans/etc.
Choose the top ten or so most thought-provoking questions. Assign a handful of students to "play" certain characters. Give them the questions they will be answering a day in advance so they can plan their responses.
The next day, the assigned students participate in a "question and answer" panel. They must act answer as much like their assigned character as possible--extra points for dressing up!
3. CHARACTERS IN A CRISIS
Have students speculate what would happen if two characters were put in a crisis together. For example, what would happen if Ron and Luna Lovegood got lost at sea. Students, together or in pairs, write scripts that stay true to the characters' voices and personalities. These make for fun journal entries to share.
2. FISHBOWL
Set 4 chairs in the center of the classroom--this is the fishbowl. The rest of the students stand around the edges of a room in a circle. Choose 4 students to sit down. Ask an open-ended discussion question that has to do with the novel.
After a student has spoken, anyone from the outside circle may tap their shoulder and take their spot to join in the discussion. Each student must participate in the "fishbowl" at least once.
Have several discussion questions prepared. Change the question whenever a topic has exhausted itself.
1. ROLE PLAY
Find a chapter in which a significant decision or action is to be made by one of the characters. Think of a similar situation students may face in their everyday lives.
Before reading the chapter, assign small groups and give students a scenario. Have them role play how they would respond.
For example, if a character is about to be accused of lying when they did nothing wrong, have students role play what they would do if their mom accused them of stealing money from her wallet. This allows students to think about how they might respond to situations that will arise in text. They will think more deeply about the characters' motivations for their decisions.
After reading the chapter, discuss why the character responded they way they did and what that reveals about their character.
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Each of these activities will help your students delve into the text and think more critically while having fun! Which idea is your favorite?
Happy teaching!
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