Students read a great deal in English. In addition to the textbooks, the kids will read novels, essays, poems, articles, and many other pieces of writing. Twice during the year, students participate in Literature Sets.
During Literature Sets, students choose from a small selection of books (the teacher has chosen the small selection for the students) to read. There are usually 5-8 different choices of books, with 3-5 copies of each book. Once students choose the book that they would like to read, those reading the same book comprise a reading book. In this way, reading groups are made based on common interest as the only criteria.
Students are given some class time to read their book. During class, the teacher will meet with a group to discuss the book while the other groups are reading silently. The teacher rotates among groups for discussion purposes.
The students will also keep a reader response journal in which they will write their thoughts on the book. Kids should note what characters they like or do not like and the reasoning behind their opinion, what they know from an omniscient author that the characters may not know, plot tensions and the like.
When the students are done reading their books, they will complete two projects about their books. The list of projects can be found at the following link:
There are several grades for this project. They are as follows:
Reading the book 100 pts
Reader Response Journal 100 pts
Group Discussions 50 pts
Project 1 Grade 100 pts
Project 2 Grade 100 pts
Project Participation 100 pts
Total Points 550 pts
Some of the books used during the Literature Study unit are:
Gentlehands by M.E. Kerr
The Contender by Robert Lipsyte
Flowers for Algernon by Alan Keyes
Walk Two Moons by
The Cage by Ruth Minsky
Canyons by Gary Paulsen
Dragon’s Blood by Jane Yolen
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by
The Education of Little Tree by
Forbidden City by William Bell
Deathwatch by Robb White
The Twisted Window by Lois Duncan