Novel Study Outline

Independent & Mirror Novel Study Unit

Your Name: __________________________

Novel Title & Author: ______________________________________

Thematic tie for this unit’s possible texts:

Lord of the Flies The Kite Runner Heart of Darkness Life of Pi

Memoirs of a Geisha The Girl in The Picture The Cure for Death by Lightning

“Oh the horror…the horror…” (Kurtz, from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now)

1. Quartering the text. Purpose: like summary sheets, these offer a synopsis of 4 sections of the text and compressed analysis of ideas therein. Use the structure as a guide- you may email these to me with your block & assignment # or you may sign up for a conference slot with me to determine your grade Each summary is worth: /5 x 4 = /20
2. *Verbal- visual demonstrating “4 part bridging” representing each quarter- peer, self and/or teacher evaluated: /6 x 4 = /24
3. *Bank of questions for each quarter: on the line, between the line and beyond the line: /6 x 4 = /24
4. *Two polished character sketches posted on blog- for first half and also for second half using proper expository format: /12 x 2= /24
5. Final essay on a student and teacher generated topic- requires a minimum of TWO conference marks 1. Conference on essay to clear topic /2

2. Conference to edit first draft /2

3. Final polished essay posted to blog /24

6. 2 posted feedback to peer’s blog; also, save and take to Lit Circle group /6
7. Lit Circles Table Talk-self evaluation and peer evaluation /12
8. One polished response writing where you will tie the above quote from Heart of Darkness to your text after researching the significance. (Remember to cite properly) /12
9. *View film & analyze or listen to & analyze 3 or songs that deal with theme of this unit; post on your blog /24

• Keep ALL rough work! You may need rough work and ideas later to create a note bank, valuable for your lit circle discussions, which will be the final project for this unit; there will be an adult leader for each lit circle to facilitate discussion! We will be creating files in the classroom, or you may create a transport file accessible online IF you want to take work away. I need a paper trail in case of a cyber crisis!!!

• We will have a separate handout with rules for blogs & for your blog site where peers will post feedback to your posts
• *You may choose one task out of /24 above instead of all or do one more for bonus! (Choose from starred item above); any other ideas? Ask!