Novel Activity Assignment Cover Sheet
Period: __________
Group Members: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
1
8
15
22
2
9
16
23
DAILY ASSIGNMENTS
3
4
5
6
10
11
12
13
17
18
19
20
24
25
26
27
7
14
21
28
Novel Activity Assignment Cover Sheet
Period: __________
Group Members: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
1
8
15
22
2
9
16
23
DAILY ASSIGNMENTS
3
4
5
6
10
11
12
13
17
18
19
20
24
25
26
27
7
14
21
28
Novel Activity Assignment Cover Sheet
Period: __________
Group Members: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
1
8
15
22
DAILY ASSIGNMENTS
2
3
4
5
6
9
10
11
12
13
16
17
18
19
20
23
24
25
26
27
7
14
21
28
Daily Assignments – 10 Points
All responses should be a minimum of 5-8 DESCRIPTIVE sentences and utilize at least 1 piece of textual evidence.
You may only complete each activity once over the course of the novel.
1. If you could change places with one of the characters in the story, who would it be? Why would you want to be
that character?
2. Which character do you personally connect with? Explain.
3. You wake up one morning to discover you’re the main character in your novel. Describe how you feel at this
point of the story and what you would do.
4. Describe an object or something a character has or owns that you would like to have. Be sure to detail both the
object and your reasoning in your response.
5. How would you make the plot line more mysterious? Answer according to your current place in the novel.
6. Pretend you are a character in the novel. Detail a current problem you have to solve and then explain how you
solve it.
7. Inferring is when readers combine clues from the text with their own background knowledge in order to draw
conclusions. Describe how you drew a conclusion about something in the story.
8. Imagery is a word or phrase that appeals to one of the five senses. Find an example of imagery in the story and
detail what it is and whether or not you believe it was successful.
9. Describe a character in the story that would make a good friend and explain why you feel this way.
10. Describe a particularly boring part of the story and then explain how the author could have made it more
exciting.
11. Describe a particularly exciting part of the story and then explain how the author held your attention during
that scene.
12. Describe a specific setting of the story that you were able to connect with – be sure to explain why/how you
were able to connect with this setting.
13. Write a description of how you would have responded to something the main character(s) said or did that you
did not agree with.
14. Write an opinion about the story from the main character’s point of view (1-2 sentences). Use the rest of your
response to explain why you feel this character has this opinion.
15. Find two similes in the story. Draw pictures of each one. Record the similes and a brief description of the scene
from the novel below the picture.
16. Personification is giving human traits, actions, or ideas to objects or things that aren’t human. Find an example
of personification from the story and detail what it is and whether or not you believe it was successful.
17. A metaphor is a comparison that does not use like or as. Find two metaphors in the story and draw pictures of
each one. Record the metaphors and a brief description of the scene from the novel below each picture.
18. Select a paragraph from the story and rewrite it in your own words. Your paragraph choice must be a
descriptive paragraph of at least 8 sentences. You DO NOT need textual evidence for this activity.
19. Describe a scene when a character persuades another character to do something. Then reflect on why you think
the author included this scene in the novel.
20. Find a unique or interesting description in the story and detail it in your own words. Then explain what it refers
to and why you found it interesting.
21. Is there someone in the story that reminds you of someone you know? Be sure to fully explain your answer.
22. Find an opinion in the story and explain whose opinion it is and if you agree with it. Be sure to detail why or
why not.
23. Who do you believe is the antagonist in the story? Describe why you chose this character referencing specific
scenes from the text.
24. A hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration. Find an example of a hyperbole from the story. Detail the scene where
the hyperbole is used, explain why you deem it an extreme exaggeration, and then reflect as to whether or not the
author was successful.
25. Write the most importance sentence of a chapter and then explain why you believe it to be the most important.
The sentence itself can serve as your textual evidence.
26. Detail a scene where a character made you angry or upset. Be sure to explain why you felt this way.
27. If you were to have lunch with one of the main characters, who would it be and where do you think you would
have lunch? Why? What would you talk about?
28. Who do you believe is the protagonist in the story? Describe why you chose this character referencing specific
scenes from the text.
Weekly Assignments – 25 Points
All assignments should include proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Points will be deducted if the activity is
not legible. Your final product should incorporate information from the week’s assigned chapters. You may only
complete each activity once over the course of the novel.
1. Write a letter to one of the characters in the story. Ask questions about a part of the story you didn’t understand.
Your letter should be one full page in length and should include at least 2 pieces of textual evidence.
2. Change the setting of the story to another place and time. Then detail how the story would be different. Your
response should be one full page in length and should include at least 2 pieces of textual evidence.
3. You’re a newspaper reporter and have been assigned to interview a character. Create 5 interview questions (the
questions should show higher order thinking – not yes/no questions) and then write an article about him or her.
Your article should be one full page in length.
4. Write a brief summary (of a specific chapter or two) from a character’s point of view. It should be clear which
character is narrating the summary and the response should be of adequate length for the chosen chapter.
5. Describe a movie that a character from the story might enjoy. Explain why your character might like this movie.
Your response should be one full page in length and should include at least 2 pieces of textual evidence.
6. Pretend you are planning a themed party for the main character. Design an appropriate invitation for the party.
Your invitation should utilize a full sheet of paper (8.5 x 11) and should be colorful and neatly organized. It should
resemble a typical party invitation and utilize correct grammar and mechanics. Incorporate one piece of textual
evidence in some way. On the back of your invitation, detail the theme you chose to follow and why.
7. Write a paragraph to summarize the end of a chapter, but with a different ending. Your summary should be 1012 sentences in length.
8. Write a letter from the main character to you, explaining a specific part of the story. Your letter should be a full
page in length and incorporate a minimum of 2 pieces of textual evidence.
9. Write a letter to a friend or relative describing why he or she should read the book. Your letter should be a full
page in length and incorporate a minimum of 2 pieces of textual evidence.
10. Add another character to the story and explain how he or she caused a new problem. Your response should be a
full page in length and incorporate a minimum of 2 pieces of textual evidence. Your problem/character should be
logically integrated into the story.
11. Pretend you’re a character in the story. Draft two diary entries about something that upset you. Each diary
entry should be 8-10 sentences in length and should incorporate one piece of textual evidence (per entry). Your
writing should resemble the character’s dialect and thought process.
12. Design a tshirt the main character would wear. Your shirt should be artfully drawn and colorful. Include a 6-8
sentence explanation detailing the choices you made for the shirt. Be sure to incorporate at least 1 piece of textual
evidence into your explanation.
13. Think of four adjectives that best describe one of the main characters. Draft a full page response detailing why
you chose each adjective. Be sure to include a minimum of 2 pieces of textual evidence.
14. Using details from the story, explain why you think __________ happened. You may choose any event from the
novel but it should be an impactful one. Detail your explanation in a full page response including a minimum of 2
pieces of textual evidence.
15. Describe something courageous someone did in the story. Reflect on whether or not you would have done the
same thing (be sure to detail why or why not). Your response should be a full page and include at least 2 pieces of
textual evidence.
16. Make a connection with something in the story that has happened or is happening in our town or somewhere in
the world. Your response should be a full page in length and include a minimum of 2 pieces of textual evidence.
17. Describe a theme in the novel that relates to a theme we discussed when reading The Iliad or The Book Thief.
Detail how the theme is crafted in each novel and whether or not you believe one author was more successful (be
sure to include why you feel the way you do). Your response should be a full page in length and include a minimum
of 1 piece of textual evidence.
18. Mood is the feeling a reader has as he or she reads the story. What feeling or feelings did you have as you read
the story? Identify places in the novel where the author successfully molds his/her tone to help accomplish the
mood you are feeling. This response should be directly related to the author’s intentions and should be a full page
in length. Be sure to include at least 2 pieces of textual evidence.
19. Does the author use foreshadowing that gives the reader clues to something that might happen? Describe
something specific in the story that you believe is foreshadowed. Your response should be about 10-12 sentences
in length and should include at least 1 piece of textual evidence.
20. Make a chart with two columns. Write “LIKE” at the top of one column and “DISLIKE” at the top of the other
column. Write the title of the story at the top. In the columns, write what you liked and didn’t like about the week’s
chapters. You must include a minimum of 5 items for each column. Include 1 piece of textual evidence PER
COLUMN and make sure each item is 2-3 sentences in length.
Final Project Choices
You will be required to complete TWO of the following projects at the completion of the novel. Each project will be
worth 50 points, totaling 100 points for the unit. If possible, feel free to complete a project early in order to most
efficiently manage your time. Rubrics for projects will be provided at a later date.
1. Create a detailed, colorful cartoon of 10-12 boxes that summarize the story. The first box should have the title of
the book or story and the author’s name. You must include a minimum of 4 direct quotes from the novel and each
box must have a minimum of 2 lines of narration.
2. Draft a poem that summarizes the novel. You must maintain a chosen rhyme scheme and you must use at least 5
different types of figurative language. Your poem should adequately cover the beginning, middle, and end of the
novel and should detail major characters in the process.
3. Design an award for the book (a new award, you cannot use a real life award). Explain the reason your book was
selected to win. You must detail the award, justify your book as the best candidate, and design an attractive award
certification. You will need to research real novel awards as to adequately mimic their quality.
4. Write a formal response detailing why you think the author wrote the book (closely examine author purpose).
You must follow all formal guidelines for writing (typed, MLA, quote integration, etc.) and your response must be a
minimum of 2 pages in length. You must include at least 4 pieces of textual evidence.
5. Create a trifold pamphlet that promotes the book and its author. The pamphlet should be designed for the
purpose of distribution at a school book fair. It will need to be colorful, well organized, and detailed with
information. You should include a minimum of 2 pieces of textual evidence from the novel plus direct citations
from the research you gathered about the author.
6. You have been hired to write a critique of the book for a literary magazine. Research literary critiques to most
adequately mimic such writing. You must follow all formal guidelines for writing (typed, MLA, quote integration,
etc.) and your critique must be a minimum of 2 pages in length. You must include at least 4 pieces of textual
evidence.
7. Rewrite part of the story as a short skit (7-8 minutes). You should research stage directions and script style
writing to most adequately mimic this specific set-up. You must have a minimum of 2 characters in your skit, 4
direct quotes, and an appropriate amount of stage direction. *Extra credit points will be awarded if you perform your skit for the
class
8. Create a recipe a main character from the story might like. You must create a genuine recipe card and then draft
a two page response detailing the choice you made. Your response should include a minimum of 2 pieces of textual
evidence and follow all formal guidelines for writing (typed, MLA, quote integration, etc.). *Extra credit points will be
awarded if you bring in your recipe for the class to taste; you will be required to explain your choice when you present your dish
9. Detail how a character changes from the beginning to the end of the story. Then reflect on the choices the author
made regarding this character and what he/she was trying to accomplish by making these choices. You must follow
all formal guidelines for writing (typed, MLA, quote integration, etc.) and your response must be a minimum of 2
pages in length. You must include at least 4 pieces of textual evidence.
10. Create a photographic collage of the story using poster board and colorful materials. You will need to research
collages to most effectively complete this assignment. You must also include a 10-12 sentence typed explanation
detailing the choices you made. This explanation must include a minimum of 3 pieces of textual evidence.
11. Create a timeline of important events that happened in the story. You must have a minimum of 15 events on
your time line and they must be the most obvious events of importance. The timeline should include a minimum of
4 pieces of textual evidence (these can be direct quotes from the characters or narration), be artfully constructed,
include a minimum of 4 pictures (printed or sketched), and resemble a typical informational outline.
12. Create a diorama of a scene from the story (research dioramas to most effectively complete this task). Include a
10-12 sentence explanation detailing your choices including a minimum of 3 pieces of textual evidence.