Ready to spice up your novel unit activities and banish the mundane? Say goodbye to the days of yawn-worthy comprehension questions because we’re about to dive into novel unit activities that make your students excited! I get it; finding activities that truly captivate your students can be as tricky as navigating a plot twist. But fear not! In this blog post, I’m sharing three engaging class novel activities so you can start your new novel with ease.
Hey friend, before we get started, let me make your life so easier for your next novel unit. I’ve created my Novel Unit Activities Bundle that has everything you need to crush your next novel study. In this print or digital resource, students have graphic organizers for the plot diagram and nine literary elements. Students also have five different theme trackers to use while reading the novel. This resource works for any novel and can be customized to your reading schedule. Not sure how to use these graphic organizers, keep reading to see how I use those resources to make my novels competitive and fun.
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Novel Unit Disasters
Ever found yourself in a classroom scene straight out of a sleep-inducing nightmare? Picture this: students are seemingly nodding off, some forgetting the words they just read, others taking unexpected bathroom breaks, and a few lost souls gazing into the void. When you muster up the courage to toss a question into the literary abyss, the response is a collective silence, as if they’re merely checking a box until the ring of the bell.
It’s a scenario that might make any teacher wonder, “Is the magic of reading lost on them?” But friend, fear not because it doesn’t have to be this way. We can make activities for novel studies fun, I promise.
The Importance of Novel Activities
You know, sometimes it’s tempting to consider skipping over those novel reading activities, especially when it feels like students are in a literary daze. But hear me out – those activities, like the plot diagram, literary elements, and themes? They’re the unsung heroes of our teaching game.
The plot diagram for a story, it’s like our trusty roadmap guiding these young minds through the twists and turns of the narrative. And don’t get me started on literary elements; they’re like the author’s toolkit, and understanding how they work is like handing our students the keys to unlock hidden meanings. As for themes, well, they’re the soul of the story, connecting our kids to universal truths. Skipping these? It’s like missing out on the best parts of the novel, robbing our students of those ‘aha’ moments, you know? They’re not just checkpoints; they’re the secret sauce that makes literature come alive in our classrooms. Ready for the secrets, let’s start making reading fun!
Three Fun Novel Activities
#1 Storyline Showdown: Racing to Find the Plot Diagram for a Story
The best place to start is always with the plot diagram. If your students don’t know what’s happening then they are never going to be able to dive into the deeper analysis. The best way to transform passive reading is by turning the plot diagram into a riveting race for your students. It’s not just about identifying the exposition or pinpointing the climax; it’s a head-to-head battle of literary prowess.
Students form teams and the first to successfully outline the plot diagram becomes the reigning champion of the Storyline Showdown, earning both bragging rights and a deeper understanding of the story’s structural intricacies. This activity injects a dose of friendly competition into the classroom, which always makes things more thrilling.
Storyline Showdown Steps:
Materials Needed:
– Large whiteboard or poster paper
– Markers
– Novel copies for each student
Instructions:
Introduction to Plot Elements:
Start by introducing the key elements of a plot diagram, such as exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Ensure that students understand the purpose and structure of each element.
Team Formation:
Divide the class into small teams, fostering a sense of camaraderie. Each team will collectively work towards uncovering the plot diagram for the novel.
Daily Reading Assignments:
Break down the novel into daily reading assignments, encouraging students to focus on specific chapters or sections. Remind them to pay close attention to plot developments, character interactions, and any key events.
Daily Plot Diagram Updates:
At the end of each reading session, teams gather to collectively update their portion of the plot diagram on the whiteboard or poster paper. Emphasize the importance of collaboration and accuracy in capturing the story’s structure.
Plot Discussion Sessions:
After a designated number of reading sessions, hold plot discussion sessions where teams can share their insights and ensure the accuracy of their collective plot diagram. Encourage healthy debates and conversations about different interpretations.
Racing to the Finish:
As the novel progresses, the competition intensifies. The first team to complete the entire plot diagram accurately becomes the champion of the Storyline Showdown. Consider incorporating a small reward or recognition to heighten the excitement.
If you need a cheat sheet for you and your students once you finish the Storyline Showdown, check out my Novel Unit Activities where students have a plot diagram graphic organizer ready to help them out.
#2 Literary Elements: Unlocking the Author’s Toolbox
Once students understand the plot diagram for a story, they are ready for the next level of analysis. From setting and point of view to mood and characterization, each element contributes to the novel’s unique flavor. But how do you make literary exploration more than just ticking off a checklist? Since your students are already in teams, keep the competition going. Create exciting activities for the major literary elements and have a new activity each day of the unit or sprinkle them throughout the novel unit. Check out my ideas for nine major elements below:
Setting: Time-Travel Tour
Transform your classroom into a time machine! Assign each student or group a different setting from the novel. Using creative materials like posters, props, or even a small performance, have them transport the class to their designated setting. Encourage classmates to ask questions and engage in a lively discussion about how the setting contributes to the overall story.
Point of View: Character Journal Swap
Invite students to immerse themselves in the perspectives of different characters by creating journals in the first-person point of view. Each student chooses a character and writes journal entries reflecting that character’s thoughts, emotions, and experiences throughout key events in the novel. Then, organize a “journal swap” where students exchange their entries and gain insights into the story from various perspectives.
Conflict: “Drama Unleashed
Have students actively engage with the key conflicts in the novel by assigning each group a specific conflict to act out. Whether it’s a heated argument, a moment of internal struggle, or a tense confrontation, challenge students to embody the emotions and dynamics of the conflict. This not only allows for a deeper exploration of the story’s tensions but also encourages students to empathize with the characters and understand the complexities of each conflict.
Mood Board Mania: Feelin’ the Feels
Each squad gets a mood (think suspense, joy, or maybe a touch of melancholy), and it’s time to unleash the creativity. Find pics, quotes, and colors that scream your assigned mood, and slap them on your Mood Board Mania masterpiece. Stick them up around the room, and we’ll have ourselves a little mood exploration adventure. Wander around, soak in the vibes, and let’s chat about how the author weaves emotions into the story.
Tone: Tone Tunes Playlist
Each crew in the class is tasked with curating a playlist that captures the tone of specific chapters or scenes from the novel. Dive into the music realm and pick tracks that vibe with the emotions and atmosphere the author dishes out. Is it a suspenseful symphony or a lighthearted melody? Present your playlists to the class, and let’s groove through the different tones the novel serves up.
Characterization: Character Gallery Walk
Transform your classroom into a character gallery. Assign each student or group a character from the novel and task them with creating a visual representation, including traits, motivations, and key quotes. Arrange the displays around the room for a character gallery walk, encouraging students to analyze and discuss the complexities of each character.
Symbol: Symbolism Scavenger Hunt
Send students on a symbolism scavenger hunt within the novel. Provide a list of potential symbols or motifs and ask students to identify instances where these symbols appear. As they find examples, have them explain the significance and how these symbols contribute to the deeper meaning of the story. Make it a race by having students find the symbols and posting them somewhere. The team with the most symbols in the time, wins points for their team.
Author Style: Stylistic Showcase
Celebrate the author’s unique style by organizing a stylistic showcase. Assign different passages or chapters to groups, asking them to analyze the author’s writing style. Groups can then creatively present their findings through multimedia elements, such as visuals, dramatic readings, or even a short performance that captures the essence of the author’s distinctive voice.
Need to help your students stay organized as they find examples for each of these literary elements? Check out my Novel Unit Activities where you can find graphic organizers for each of these literary elements.
#3 Theme Team Treasure Hunt
Students need a chance to focus on the theme and of course, the best way to do that is through competition. Place students into squads to play the Theme Team Treasure Hunt. Here’s how to play:
Theme Briefing and Stations:
Kick off the race with a quick theme briefing. Share the top four or five themes from the novel. Set up race stations in different corners of the classroom or designated areas. Each station corresponds to a specific theme.
Theme Tracking Supplies:
Have each team grab their novels, a stack of colored Post-it notes, and something to write with. Each team should have a different color stack of Post-it notes.
Treasure Hunt Rules:
Once the clock begins, teams should find as many cited examples of each theme from their novel. When they find an example, they write it down on their Post-it notes with the page number. One of the team members will run and place that theme in the correct station. The goal is to have the most post-it notes from all the theme stations.
Race Against Time:
Start the clock! Squads race against the ticking timer to move between stations, finding themes, and working as a team. Your job as the teacher is to check answers as they go. If any example, doesn’t fit a theme, return it to the team.
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner:
When time is up, count each theme note for each team. The crew with the most post-it notes wins. You can decide if they are playing for pride or prizes. They might just get to know they are the best or can earn points or prizes as a team.
Theme Tracker Debrief:
After the competition, return the post-it notes to the theme teams. Have students write down these examples of themes to keep for an end-of-unit activity.
Need a way to have students organize their theme notes? Check out my Theme Tracker. Students can search for examples for specific themes or find examples for multiple teams at the same time.
More Amazing Novel Study Lesson Plans
How to Create a Theme Tracker Graphic Organizer Bookmark in 5 Easy Steps
How to Teach a Novel Unit That Engages High School Students
Five Ways Reader’s Notes Can Transform Your High School ELA Book Clubs
Novel Unit Planning: A How to Guide For Success
Your Novel Unit Transformation is On the Way
So my friend, are you pumped to turn your novel unit into a wild ride? Picture this: your class diving into plot diagrams, creating character galleries, and going all-out on thematic treasure hunts. It’s like detective work, but way more fun. Your classroom’s about to get a makeover. If you want to have all these novel study activities ready, check out my Novel Unit Activities resource. I’m so excited to hear the stories your students whip up and the cool stuff they figure out. Let’s connect so tag me or send me a DM @theteacherrewrite on Instagram. Here’s to a classroom full of awesome novel unit activities, exciting vibes, crazy tales, and endless inspiration!
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