Independent+Novel+Study

= = =Independent Novel Study=

As the name implies, independent study will involve you in reading a novel and then completing a series of activities to be completed on your wiki. Throughout this unit you will be required to keep a reading journal, complete a focus assignment and produce a multimedia poster (Glogster). It may take you a long time to read a novel so you should begin reading right away. You may choose any novel from the //Shelfari// shelf __**that you have not yet read**__. You should divide your novel into five parts and aim to read one part between each journal entry session.
 * *I will be emailing parents about this project and asking them to ensure that the novel you choose is indeed new to you! **

1. __**JournalEntry**____:__
 * A** - During the journal entry session, you will write in your wiki a response to the novel based upon what you have read up to then. Each entry will include the following at the top of the entry: Your name, the name of the novel, the date, the pages covered in the log entry (minimum 25 pages per entry).

Each journal entry __must__ include the above information and be __at least__ 150 words (3/4 of a page) in length. You will complete journal entries in class on the following dates:
 * December 2nd**
 * December 9th**
 * December 15th**
 * January 6th**
 * January 13th**

For ideas on what to include in your entries, check out ‘C’!

**B-** Evaluation Each journal entry will receive an individual mark based on length and thoroughness. /10

**C-** Contents of the journal

Comment on at least 3 of the following questions in each entry (they must be three different questions for each entry):

 * 1) Why did you select this novel?
 * 2) What information did you need to know before reading the novel?
 * 3) What has happened before the novel began?
 * 4) What's going on as the story begins?
 * 5) Who is telling the story? How does this person’s perspective effect the way the story is told?
 * 6) What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or could the novel be happening anywhere? Why?
 * 7) What is the initial or first problem faced by the main character?
 * 8) How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest?
 * 9) What new things are added to the original problem as the novel progresses?
 * 10) What plot twists or unexpected events happen as the novel goes on?
 * 11) Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events?
 * 12) Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? GIve examples and explain.
 * 13) To what age group is the novel aimed? Support your answer with evidence.
 * 14) Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown?
 * 15) Describe any new characters that are introduced? What is their purpose?
 * 16) What is the climax of the novel?
 * 17) How are the major and minor conflicts solved?
 * 18) What were the major things that helped to resolve the plot?
 * 19) What message did you get from the novel? How was this message conveyed?
 * 20) Is the novel believable?
 * 21) Why would you (or why wouldn't you) recommend this novel to a friend?
 * 22) Why did (or didn't) the novel meet your expectations?

2. **__FOCUS ASSIGNMENTS__** Once you have finished reading the novel __Choose one of the following three__ to complete. **Due: January 13th**

Write a short plot summary of your novel. This should be about 250 words(1 page). Include information such as: What the title has to do with the book, where and when the story happens, who is telling the story, what the central conflict is in the story, what the climax is, how the climax is resolved – or if it isn’t, and whether or not you enjoyed the plot and your reasons.
 * 1) 1—PLOT

1- Choose an important character from your novel and write a detailed description of the character. Remember to consider him or her as a //real// person in order to address all aspects of their personality. Some things to consider: --appearance. --actions --ideas-- what the character thinks. --manner-- how the character acts. --reactions of others to the character. --Why is s/he important in the novel. --Would you like to be the main character? Why or why not? --Would the character make a good friend? Give your reasons. Remember to support your description with examples from the novel.
 * 1) 2—CHARACTERIZATION

Write a one page reaction to the novel. In your explanation answer several, but not necessarily all, of the following questions: What do you think the theme of the novel was? Do you think that the author was successful in getting the message across? Why? For whom was the book written? What are the Good and bad points about your novel and why? Did the novel help you in any way? Did you learn anything from the novel? What did you find most interesting? What did you find most bizarre? What was most believable or unbelievable? Would your recommend this book to any one? Why or why not? Will you will read any more by this author?
 * 1) 3-- YOUR REACTION

You may also comment on any other part of the novel not covered in the above questions.

3. Multi-Media Poster - Glogster Build a multi-media poster that represents the novel you have chosen and present it to the class. **Presentations begin January 16th.**


 * Click this link to view a document on converting Power Point to Movie files and uploading to Glogster**

media type="custom" key="7628779" Project adapted from: [|http://home.cogeco.ca/~rayser3/litera1.htm#ind]
 * Using a link to a Google Presentation**