Body :

For this unit, students work in pairs to complete the reading of a novel. Depending on the class, you can provide a list of novels suitable for the age group (and ability levels), or you can allow each pair to decide on a novel. Once the novels have been chosen, each student completes a "Partner Book Report Contract." Students agree to work politely, develop a reading plan, and complete the required assignments.

Each student needs to have a reading folder. Reading folders can be set up many different ways (such as using regular writing paper and construction paper to form a booklet). In these folders, students will write short daily entries -- one for "Summary" and one for "Reaction." (These summaries are no more than a paragraph each.) The vocabulary section can be placed at the end of the folder, clearly labeled as to which week is which. Or, the vocabulary can be combined with the daily entries at the beginning/end of each week (students should make sure that they leave enough room for the week's work). At the end of every week, each student responds to a "weekly question" given by the teacher. (Students should write the question in their folders, along with the date.) The question is a general reading comprehension question. Sample questions include:

* What is the setting of the book? How is it important to the story?
* Compare and contrast two main characters.
* What point/lesson do you think the author is trying to get across?

Depending on class size, you may choose to have partners read their novels out loud -- if this is not possible, then the students can read silently to themselves. Students can team up with their partners to discuss the story and share found vocabulary. However, each student must do his/her own work in the reading folder.

The teacher acts as a facilitator throughout the unit. The reading folders can be collected weekly to monitor progress and check for understanding. At the end of the fifth/sixth week, the novel partners present their end-of-unit project (see Project Possibilities handout for details).

Evaluation Activity :

Teachers can use the following point system to grade students:

Reading Folders:
Summary entry - 1 point for grammar; 2 points for detail of answer
Reaction entry - 1 point for grammar; 2 points for detail of answer
Vocabulary - 1 point for writing out complete sentence from book, identified with page number; 1 point for attempting a guess; 1 point for finding the dictionary definition (for a total of 3 points per word)

End-of-Unit Project (50 point scale):
10 points for creativity
10 points for comprehension
10 points for team effort during preparation
10 points for material evidence (ex. notes for presentation)
10 points for team effort during presentation