Film Adaptations: In this unit, students would use the novel that they have chosen to read in its entirety. After reading the novel, students should write the plot / story line for a movie adaptation of the novel. What characters and aspects of the plot would they include? What would they not include? Then students can watch a movie version of the novel. (NOTE: All of the novels that we have included in the lesson pages have movie adaptations.) They can compare and contrast the book and and movie and what was changed.
Research: This unit would include lessons on how to do research, different research methods and types of research, and possibly collecting actual research (e.g., through library resources, surveys, interviews, etc.) The unit would allow students to do research on and related to the novel that they have chosen to read.
Cultural Reflection: This unit can go more in-depth as to how novels are referenced in popular media as well as in informal conversations. Students can write reflective essays on the book that they have chosen to read in which they discuss any ways they feel the book has affected them and their understanding of American culture as well as how this book or story might be referenced in everyday life.
Book Club: This unit would introduce students to oral discussion skills relevant to participating in a book club. This may include vocabulary as well as socio-pragmatic skills such as how to express opinions, express positive and negative critiques, and turn-taking skills. This may also include meta-cognitive skills such as how to critique and how to formally analyze literature. Students would join or create an online book club for the book that they have chosen to read.
Reading Strategies / Skills: This unit would use class time to give students opportunities to practice extensive reading. The teacher can give explicit strategies for reading and tools for assess their reading speed (e.g., Spreeder). It is important that students read (e.g., timed reading exercises, out-loud reading individually, out-loud reading as a class) in class as a way to build confidence and speed which can lead to better, faster extensive reading outside of class.
