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Overview
Each of the sixty reproducible classroom-ready activities has general guidelines that describe the purposes for the project, how to use it, evaluation points, and variations that increase student participation and motivation, and a variety of assessment activities. Designed around the new IRA/NCTE Standards, (reading, writing, representing, viewing, speaking, and listening) these stimulating activities applicable to a variety of novels create opportunities for students to develop their skills as readers, writers, and speakers. Three sections center on reading and writing activity projects (e.g., essays, news stories, letters), visual display projects (e.g., charts, posters, bookmarks), and speaking and listening activities.
Synopsis
Each of the sixty reproducible classroom-ready activities has general guidelines that describe the purposes for the project, how to use it, evaluation points, and variations that increase student participation and motivation, and a variety of assessment activities. Designed around the new IRA/NCTE Standards, (reading, writing, representing, viewing, speaking, and listening) these stimulating activities applicable to a variety of novels create opportunities for students to develop their skills as readers, writers, and speakers. Three sections center on reading and writing activity projects (e.g., essays, news stories, letters), visual display projects (e.g., charts, posters, bookmarks), and speaking and listening activities.
VOYA
This handbook of sixty projects adaptable to any novel will not gather dust on a language arts teacher's desk, and many YA librarians will find it useful, too. The usable activities are designed around the new IRA/NCTE language arts standards. The activities are divided into three sections: Reading and Writing, Representing and Viewing, and Speaking and Listening. The author fulfills her stated purpose in showing that the kinds of activities and projects already being done successfully in the classroom match these standards. Included for each activity is an explanation sheet that gives pertinent information on its purpose, how to use the activity, evaluation points, and variations for use. A reproducible instruction sheet for the young reader also is included for each activity (a spiral binding would make it easier to use). The activities can be used by an individual or an entire group reading the same or different novels. The author states that her book targets grades six to twelve, but it could be used with upper elementary students, too. The activities and projects provide opportunities for students to increase their skills and become more literate in their reading, writing, and speaking. Though there are many activities here familiar to language arts teachers, the author has included adaptations as well as new ideas. Many provide for creative self-expression in displaying knowledge of a novel, such as "What If? Situations for the Protagonist," "Scrapbook for a Character," and "Impromptu Response Sheets." Others, such as "Timeline of the Events of the Plot" and "Share a Vocabulary Word a Day," stress basic skill activities. YA librarians with book discussion groups will get lots of ideas to use with their members, as will school media specialists who teach novels as well as library skills.