1. Independent reading and book report Date:
Objectives
Prepare for the reading of novels the students choose themselves and the assignment they will have.
Introduce the reading reflective journal and it’s uses.

2. Before warm-up – why is this important
60% of college students drop out their first year. While some of these 6000 each year are because of financial, medical or social reasons, there are many who get overwhelmed by one fact. They are expected to read a lot alone.
It is possible to be dragged through the Leaving Cert on notes given by teachers and the textbooks you get. The ability to take a text and form your own notes though is what guarantees success.

3. Before details of Book Report - Warm-up:
If this novel section had a tagline, it would be this:
“Reading a novel is about YOU as much as about the text”.
As a warm-up, write 3-4 concerns you could have about being asked to give a book report.
We’ll share them then and solve as many as possible before introducing the assignment and reading reflective journal.
I believe the answer ‘practice will improve that’ may come up a lot.

4. Warm-up:

5. The assignment sheet The novel assignment
 You are expected to read an international novel (code for ‘grown-up) and complete a written report by the end of October. One class a week will be dedicated to providing notes and samples of the styles under which we examine novels. We will also do two tasks to further your interaction with the novel while you are reading it.

6. Choosing your book
A piece of fiction (no auto-biographies, manuals or reference books).
Reading level (must have paragraphs, multi-syllable words, not have pictures on every page, and be 150+ pages).
First time reading the book.
Agreed upon with your parents (see verification form).
Have access to it (if you are renting this book or having someone lend it to you, make sure you have access to it till November.)

7. Tasks
Write an informal letter to the fictional character. (for yourself)
(Week 4) (Will start in class)
Write a formal letter to the author/publisher/relative of the book congratulating or questioning something. (To be sent to them)
(Week 6) (Will start in class)
The report itself. Minimum two pages typed up on a word document (600 words). Times new roman font, line spacing 1.5. Images and decoration welcome however must still be 800 words.
(Day after mid-term)

8. Journals – write this down Get parents to sign form.
Choose a book
Get parents to sign form.
Plan (when, where, for how long you’ll read to complete) the book and write the report.
(For example, can I read a chapter in one sitting, over a day, in the morning, at night, etc)

9. Reading reflective journal sheet Summary in poetic form:
Let’s read the sheet
Summary in poetic form:
Read a chapter,
write things down.
When report time comes,
You won’t have a frown.

10. I think... I knew... I now know... I want to know...
Reflection
I think...
I knew...
I now know...
I want to know...
I was surprised when...