Welcome Back!
From what I read in our journals this morning it sounds like everyone enjoyed their time away and are returning refreshed and happy!

We are starting our push to the end of the year. Our pod sharing will be in June- I will send home dates when they are finalized.

On Thursday we will be at JP for our day of recognition- we leave at 8:45 and return around 1.

There will be no more spelling for the year! We made our way through a list of sight words required for grade 8. Good job everyone!

We are going to focus on finishing our Biome projects over the next few weeks as well as begin exploring Chemistry. We will spend 3 Friday mornings at the Big Little Science Centre in April/May to do experiments and explore further.

Students will spend time each week this term doing an independent review of all the math concepts covered this term. They will be using the "make makes sense" textbook for this work. These textbooks can be brought home for extra practice.

Students will also be working on independent novel studies starting next week. Each student is to choose a book at their reading level that they have not read before for this project. Below is the novel study assignment sheet.

Enjoy your week,
Ms. Alpaugh




Independent Novel Study
Following are activities to be completed for your novel. The use of technology is encouraged, although not
required, in the completion of activities and may include web pages, blogs, text, or multi-media
representation where appropriate. Other activities to demonstrate learning in each of the parts will be
considered in consultation with Ms Alpaugh.
If there is anything you are unsure of at any time...ASK! Entire project is 100 marks.

Part 1: Novel Selection
Select a novel appropriate for your grade and reading level. Read the first chapter to be sure it is a novel
that appeals to you. Once you have chosen your book, let your teacher know the title and author. Once you
have told your teacher your selection you may not change your mind. Read the novel!

Part 2: Vocabulary – 15 Marks
As you read your novel, make a list of words that you come across that are unfamiliar to you. When you have
finished reading the novel, choose one of the following activities. Include a title and any necessary headings.
1. Vocabulary Log: Choose at least 15 words from your novel that you do not know the meaning of. Record the
dictionary definition for each word (quote the page number for each word used).
2. Create a Crossword of at least 15 words from your novel. Provide a clue for each word and the answer key.
3. Create a Thesaurus: Select at least 15 words from your novel that seem overused or boring. Rewrite the
sentence from the book in which the word was found with a better one (quote the page number for
each word used). .
4. Identify at least 15 interesting words from your novel and tell why you think each is interesting (quote the
page number for each word used).

Part 3: Reading Journal (Connect & Question) – 20 Marks
Your task is to keep a reading log, and to complete 3 Reader Responses, each one to two pages double-spaced
typed (Times New Roman font size 12, or equivalent) per entry, or equivalent length hand-written. Responses
should address the following questions, but are to be written in paragraph form.
Response 1 Guiding Questions - (for the early chapters of the book)
1. What is the time and place of the book? What evidence in the book tells you this?
2. Name and describe the main character in the book. Describe him/her physically and describe his/her
personality and history, if known. Then give your impression of him/her.
  

3. Name and describe a secondary character. Describe her/him physically and describe her/his personality
and history, if known. Explain how s/he is important to the story and the ideas of the book.
4. Describe the relationship between two characters. Include their history together and details of their
relationship. Explain the significance of their relationship to the book.
5. Describe one important event in the book and explain why it is significant to the story (to the plot, the
characters, the ideas of the book).
6. Explain one specific aspect of the culture described in the book. Tell how it compares to a specific culture
you are familiar with.
7. What are your feelings and thoughts about the novel based on one or more specific things you have read?
8. Find one specific idea, event, or behavior in the book that relates to real life. Explain how it relates to real
life.
9. Tell about a connection you made with the story (text-to-self, text-to-text/media, or text-to-world).
Explain how your connection helped you understand the story better.
10. Discuss five meaningful or deep-thinking questions you had while you read.

Response 2 Guiding Questions - (for the middle chapters of the book)
1. If the time or place changes during the book, explain how and give examples. How does this switching
serve the story?
2. What is the general feeling or mood of the book? Give specific examples of how the author creates that
feeling or mood.
3. Compare and contrast two characters psychologically. To do this, consider their behavior and personality.
Consider whether their physical descriptions match or differ with their behaviors & attitudes.
4. Give an example of a conflict or conflicts between: i) two people ii) a person and his/her conscience
(internal conflict) iii) a person and society iv) a person and an animal or nature v) a person and a
spiritual/supernatural being
5. Who is the narrator of the story? Is s/he inside or outside the story? What is her/his relationship to the
story?
6. Is the book written in the first or third person (I or s/he)? How does that affect the story?
7. What is your reaction to a relationship, event, behavior or message/theme of the book? Be clear about
what you are reacting to and exactly what makes you respond as you do.
8. Choose a sentence or phrase that attracts you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book and its value
to you.

Response 3 Guiding Questions - (for the final chapters of the book)
1. If there is any special language used (dialects, foreign words, slang, etc.) give examples and explain its use
and purpose. What is its effect?
2. Does the author use humor, irony, symbolism, or metaphors? Give examples and explain the effect.
3. What is the climax, of the novel? What major conflicts lead up to it and what is the resolution afterward?
4. What is the theme or themes in the novel? How does the author show this idea? Give evidence. Comment
on how this theme fits in the novel and how it applies to life outside the book. What does this theme
mean to you?
5. What did you learn from this novel? In answering this, you may comment on any aspect of the novel
including how it is written.
      

Part 4: Story Element Activities (Visualize, Synopsis, Theme) – 25 Marks
Your task is to complete an activity for each Story Element (Character, setting, plot). Choose one
activity from each section. Include titles and any necessary headings.

Section One - Character: After reading your novel, identify the antagonist(s) and protagonist(s) within the
story. Remember, protagonists and antagonists are not necessarily people.
1. Explain how a character in the book changed in the story.
2. Create a ‘Wanted Poster’ for a main character in the novel.
3. Explain why you would like to have one of the characters as a friend.
4. What problems did the major character(s) have and how did they solve them?
5. Write an interview with one of the major characters.
6. Write several diary entries made by one of the major characters.
7. Make a character box. In a shoebox include 10 objects that would be meaningful to the main character.
On a separate piece of paper, in a paragraph, explain why you have chosen each object.
8. Create a character web that connects all of the characters in the novel, and describe the relationship
between them.
9. Create another character that would fit into the story. Write another chapter or choose one event to
rewrite using that character. Remember to include a good description of your character.

Section Two - Setting: Examine the setting of the novel. Select a particular scene to represent. Be sure to
consider the location, time period, function, and atmosphere of the setting.
1. Sketch a scene in the book depicting a part of the plot. (I’m marking for detail and accuracy not drawing
talent!) Explain your illustration and why you chose to draw this scene
2. Draw a color map of where a major part of the story takes place. Label the major landmarks or points of
interest.
3. Do a collage of a major theme of your novel or one that illustrates certain parts of your novel.
4. Choose an important scene in the book, write a script for the scene and produce the scene on
video with voice-over telling about it.
5. Make a 3-d model of a major scene form the novel.
Section Three - Plot: Consider the “shape” of the story as it moves from an introduction, through a series
of related incidents building to a climax, and coming to a conclusion.
1. Rate each chapter of the novel according to the level of excitement and complete a Climax-
Tension Graph. Summarize the reasons for your ratings.
2. Find three songs that seem to relate to your novel. Write out the lyrics and then write an
explanation of how they relate.
3. Do several pieces of art that illustrate the major events of the novel. Write an explanation of
how they relate to the story.
4. Create a PowerPoint presentation of the book.
5. Create a story map that shows the major events of the story.
  
Part 5: Reader Reflection Assignment (Infer & Transform) – 25 Marks
When we “read between the lines” or look for deeper meaning we are inferring. When that deeper
understanding leads to a change in the way we see or do things, we are transformed. Your task is to look for
the deeper meaning of the novel you read, making specific reference to the text and defending your position
with sound reasons, and to discuss how this understanding changed you. Choose one of the following
activities. Include a title and any necessary headings.
1. Describe a strong feeling or emotion that you experienced as you were reading this novel and what caused
this feeling.
2. Give your opinion of the author’s writing style? What images captured your interest? How did the author
create suspense?
3. Write a review of the novel wherein you try to get someone else to read it.
4. Write a letter to the author of the novel, expressing your thoughts, questions, etc.
5. Imagine the novel you read had been made into a movie. Write a newspaper review that discusses the
characters, plot or just general theme.
6. Create a brochure to promote the book. Include a review of the novel wherein you try to get someone else
to read it, a summary and a picture.

Part 6: Book Talk – 15 Marks
A Book Talk is an opportunity to share a book you have read with others. Activities 1-5 have prepared you
for your book talk by helping you understand your novel in detail through connections, visualization,
questioning, analysis, synthesis, and, possibly, transformation. Your task is to assemble a presentation to
share and promote your novel, according to the following criteria. Your book talk can be live or use digital
representation (Powerpoint, movie, etc.).
You must address all of the following in your presentation.
1. Introduce the book in a creative way. Be sure to state the title, author, and the genre of the novel.
2. Briefly summarize the book without giving away the ending. Provide information that will make them want
to read it too! Read aloud an interesting selection.
3. Describe the main characters from the book. Who are the protagonists/antagonists? What was their role
within the story.
4. Describe the setting of the book. Tell us when and where the story took place.
5. Tell about some way(s) in which you connected with the novel (text-to-text, text-to-media, text-to-world,
text-to-self).
6. Tell about an underlying message/theme you thought your novel was trying to communicate.