Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

Novel in a Day

Chelsee Wilson, Dr. Shanedra Nowell | Published: September 16th, 2020 by K20 Center

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Novel in a Day

This strategy breaks down a novel into portions and invites students to take responsibility for reading, learning, and teaching their peers a single section. Students work in small groups to read and analyze a portion of a novel, then present it to the class. Meanwhile, the class makes observations, inferences, and predictions about the novel's plot and progression. When all presentations are complete, the entire class has "read" the novel.

Novel in a Day

Summary

Working in small groups, students divide a novel into sections and read one part apiece. Each group teaches its section to the class in order. This strategy cuts down class reading time, allowing students to spend more time analyzing.

Procedure

  1. Select a novel and sort students into small groups.

  2. Break the novel into appropriate "chunks" (chapter groupings, equal numbers of pages per group, etc.).

  3. Assign each group of students one "chunk" section.

  4. Allow student groups to further break down their assigned sections between group members, each of whom may be responsible for reading.

  5. Once students have read through their assigned sections, ask each group to create a short presentation to teach their section to the class.

  6. Have groups present in an order corresponding with the novel's plot (chapter 1 first, then chapter 2, etc.). Allow each group time to present and interpret their section to the class. As students present, have the rest of the class make notes in a graphic organizer to summarize the information.

  7. Between presentations, ask students to make observations, inferences, and predictions about what has happened and what will happen.

  8. When the presentations are complete, all students will have "read" the novel.