Teaching reading literature and how to reflect and share

This lesson plan is divided into two separate parts, one writing and one discussion and by that, you will be able to cover several competency goals in one session, at least if you have block scheduling! Part 2 here can either be taped with a handheld device or you could arrange for a live show in class. If you do that it is easier to arrange live questions from the audience.

Lesson plan 1 – Writing.

Double Entry Journal

This is a great task to use in class after the students have read their novel. Every student should be able to do this task. It is a lot more challenging task than just writing a summary or answering questions that you find in a textbook or you as a teacher give the students. Using the double entry journal the students are forced to reflect on their reading and to give examples of sections in the book that are important and explain why they think they are important.  This will also test the students’ understanding of the text.

How to write a double entry journal

• Find important parts of your book regarding these topics: Theme, setting, plot and character development.
• Choose a quote/paragraph from the book that relates to each topic and copy them to your blog using quotations marks and italic text.  Use the topics as headlines.
• After each paragraph, with your own words, explain their significance according to the topic. See an example here:

1. Write an entry on your blog. Call it my reading of…..(name of the book)
2. Follow the points mentioned above regarding Theme, setting, plot and character development.
3. End the blog post by writing your impression of the book! How was it compared to your expectations?
4. Write 5-8 questions about the book to use in your book circle/radio show.
5. Use this rubric to self-assess and grade your performance RUBRIC FOR JOURNAL

Lesson plan 2 – oral discussion.

The Book Report!

1. In groups of 4 prepare the show; The Book Report, as an example see link here! and here!
2. Assign these roles in the group: 2 authors (both books), one reporter and one person influential in the literary world (your choice!)
3. Prepare according to your role.
   1. Authors: Be prepared for the most difficult questions. Childhood, inspiration, the theme of the book, influence in literary circles.
   2. Reporter: ask the difficult questions, probe and find topics that challenge and inspire the authors and allow the literary expert to be critical!
   3. Prepare your roles well, but do not ask and answer the questions in advance. The authors and critic should be prepared to answer without a manuscript. The reporter should try to know the questions without using a manuscript as well.
   4. Each show is scheduled for 15 minutes, but less if you feel you get to discuss all important themes in a shorter time. You can have music in-between if you find something suitable for the audience!
   5. Allow time for the audience to send additional questions to the authors using twitter with hashtag: #bookreport
   6. Use this rubric to grade performance! Interview Assignment Rubric