Step Two – Reading Your Novel

Introduction As you are reading your novel, you will complete: Basic Information Character Log Discussions on Goodreads.com These tools will help you think about the book you are reading and show your teacher that you are reading.

Your Basic Information handout will look like this Your Basic Information handout will look like this. You need to complete this handout as you read.

Basic Information On your Basic Information worksheet, you will list: List of characters – who is in the story Setting – time and place the story takes place Plot – what is happening in the story Climax – what is the turning point in the story Conflict – Internal / External: Man vs Man, Man vs Nature, Man vs Society Big Ideas

Big Ideas Big Ideas are basically main ideas that are so major we decide to make themes out of them and focus on them a lot… For example, one big idea in The Wizard of Oz is courage. Dorothy demonstrates courage by throwing water on the Wicked Witch of the West to protect her friends and Toto. Another example of a big idea in in The Wizard of Oz is friendship. An example of friendship is when the lion, tin man, and Scarecrow go to the witch’s castle to rescue Dorothy. Examples of big ideas are: courage, love, family, determination, dreams, problem solving, survival.

Your Character Log handout will look like this Your Character Log handout will look like this. You need to complete this handout as you read.

Character Log On your Character Log you will have the following information: Connection to Other Characters Strengths Weakness Defining Moment Symbol Explanation of Symbol Now, what would a character log for Dorothy look like?

Character Log for Dorothy… Connection to Other Characters –Dorothy is friends with the Scarecrow, Lion, and Tinman. Strengths –Dorothy is willing to ask for help when she needs it. Weakness –Dorothy doesn’t think through situations, such as deciding to run away. Defining Moment –When Dorothy realizes she has the power within herself to go home. Symbol –bamboo Explanation of Symbol –Dorothy is like bamboo because she is strong and flexible. She is strong enough to begin the journey on the Yellow Brick Road alone, and she is flexible because when the wizard tells her she needs to get the witch’s broom stick, she is able to go along with the change in plans and do what she needs to do to get home.

Moderators Goodreads.com This is where you will be “discussing” your books. Mrs. Rickert, Mrs. Abate and Mrs. Fout are the Your Moderators start the discussion of each chunk you are reading. Plus the Moderators grade you on those discussions.  Moderators