Novel study - CULMINATING

Grade 9 applied – choose any three
Grade 9 academic – choose three (one must be from the RESEARCH category)
Grade 10 applied – choose any four
Grade 10 academic – choose four (one must be from the RESEARCH category)
If you are unclear about a particular assignment, please see me for further instructions. In terms of specific criteria for each assignment, please see me before beginning the assignment.

WRITE:
1. Write out a biography (fill in unknowns with your imagination) of a main character.
2. Pretend you are the author and explain to an interviewer why you wrote the novel.
3. Write a letter to someone in your life recommending they read your book-give reasons why.
4. If you were to use the same theme for a new novel, outline a possible plot for your own novel.
5. Write a compare and contrast essay on your novel and the movie version.
6. Construct a timeline that shows and describes the major events in your novel.
7. Recount one of your own experiences that connect to the issues and themes in your novel.
8. Write a new ending for your book.

CREATE
1. Create a picture book, cartoon strip, mural or collage that shows what you know about the novel.
(See ‘bitstrips’ online for cartoon strip making - http://www.bitstrips.com)
2. Create a musical play list (include song titles, artists and lyrics) of at least 8 songs that reflects the journey that the main character in the novel. For each song, write about why you chose it and how it connects.
3. Write a song/poem about the novel.
4. Complete a series of five drawings that follow the plot line of your novel (introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution).
5. Create a board game that is based on events, characters and themes in the novel. Playing the game, players should learn what happened in the novel. Your game should include: game board, rule sheet, instructions, game cards.
6. Make a poster advertising a new movie based on the novel.
7. Pretend you are one of the main characters in the novel you read. Audio or videotape a monologue of your character telling his/her experience. Be sure to prepare and write out a script before taping.
8. Rewrite one of the scenes in the novel in playwriting (script) form.

RESEARCH
1. Research the author of your novel. Who are they? Where are they from? What is their background and how does it connect to their work? What else have they written? What are they known for? What are some other interesting facts about them? How does knowing more about the author affect your view of the novel?
2. Research a specific location that is represented in your book. Write up a one page report on this location and attach images you have found in your research. Consider: country, region, population, demographic, religion, culture, education, politics, issues of human rights, climate, geography of the region, history of conflict, media representation, famous people to come from there, and what the area is known for. Include references.
3. Research an issue (example: homelessness, abuse, crime, racial profiling, dropping out of school etc) that was brought up in the novel and write up a one page report on the issue as it pertains to your own community (Toronto). Include community resources and references.