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Agriculture Learning Outcome #2 Effective Communicator Agriculture Learning Outcome #3 Critical Thinker English Learning Outcome #8 Use various forms of writing to explore, clarify and reflect on their thoughts, feelings and experiences; and to use their imaginations. English Learning Outcome #9 Create texts for a specific audience and purpose English Learning Outcome #10 Demonstrate a range of strategies to develop effective writing Activity #1 Assignment: Throughout the year, students are required to read a selection of novels of their own choice. One of these novels is to be of an agricultural or rural theme. Students will present a report, either written or oral, which contains the literary elements of setting, plot, theme, character portrayals with analysis and evaluation. Preparation: Prior knowledge and skills: Materials and Resources: Novels Duchess Chester Aaron Sounder William H. Armstrong Bee Peter Zachary Cohen The Horse Whisperer Nicholas Evans Our Indian Summer Wayne Curtis Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain The Stone Angel Margaret Laurence Who Has Seen The Wind W. O. Mitchell Thirty Acres Philippe Panneton The Yearling Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings A Day No Pigs Would Die Robert Newton Peck Anne of Green Gables L. M. Montgomery Suggested Activity: 1. Book Report A. Background All book reports, whether written or oral, must include and fully cover the following five literary elements:
The notes and questions below are intended to guide your thinking process. They are not meant to be answered in a 1-2-3 format in your report. Information should be integrated (merged or blended) into the content of your report in a smooth manner (similar to an essay format.) Opinions should be supported with specific and sufficient details and illustrations from the book. SETTING The setting includes the time and place of the story and the significance, if any, of that setting to the story. It will often include the tone or mood that is established by the author. Why did the author choose that particular setting? Is the particular setting essential to the story or does it merely serve as a backdrop? Time means the approximate year or period of time: day, season, year, era, etc. Place means the location where the story takes place. It can include the country or part of a country, such as a farm or large city, and includes the related historical, climatic, social, and economic facts of the location as they relate to the story. Tone/mood means the author's attitude as reflected in the narration of the story or the dialog of the characters, and the climate of feeling that is established such as happy, brooding or mysterious. PLOT SUMMARY The plot is the storyline or action of the story. In a few sentences you should briefly summarize the story for your audience. Do not retell the entire story or the ending, but do include discussion of the major plot elements: complication, foreshadowing, crisis, climax, resolution. These will be discussed in greater detail in class. More importantly, include in this section identification and analysis of the main conflict (man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. himself, man vs. society, etc.), the protagonist, the antagonist, the foil, the climax, and the conflict resolution. Tell the point of view used by the author: first-person, third-person or omniscient. THEME The theme of the story is the universal truth that is revealed. It can apply across time and audiences, at least in the very best of books. It is not content bound, that is, it does not deal with just the specific characters and setting of the book. What message was the author trying to get across? What was his/her point or purpose? What was the moral or lesson of the story? What can the reader of today learn from this story? CHARACTER PORTRAYAL AND ANALYSIS Choose at least two main characters. How do the characters look, dress, talk, act, feel, and think? What motivates him/her/them? Describe both internal and external characteristics and qualities This may entail drawing inferences from the book. How are these traits related in the characters' actions, behaviours and mannerisms? Are the characters well portrayed? Do they seem real and believable, or are they flat or a stereotype? Tell if the character changes, grows or develops new insights in the story and is thus dynamic, or if he/she remains unchanged in his/her thinking and behaviours by the end of the story and is thus static. EVALUATION Tell if you liked the book. Why? Why not? In your opinion, is it well written? Why? Why not? Did it hold your interest? Why? Why not? Did you like the author's style or manner of telling the story? Why? Why not? Was the ending satisfactory? Why? Why not? Would you have changed anything? What? How? Why? Would you recommend the book to other students? Why? Why not? Avoid "dead" words and support all your statements and opinions with specific examples.
WRITTEN BOOK REPORT FORMAT A. Format (5 points) _____
B. Characters (10 points) _____
C. Setting (10 points) _____
D. Plot (The story of the book in ten sentences) (30 points) _____
E. Theme (15 points) _____
F. Character Analysis (15 points) _____
G. Evaluation (15 points) _____
Final Mark _____ 100
ORAL BOOK REPORT FORMAT A. Format (On chalkboard prior to your presentation. 5 points) _____ 1. First then last name, subject, period, date. 2. Top line: title of book. 3. Second line: author (s). B. Tell about the beginning of the book. Using present tense, explain how the story begins as you cover at least the first fifty (50) pages of the book, choosing a good (usually suspenseful) stopping place. Then create a suspenseful sentence, like a cliff hanger, to cause others to want to read the book completely. (25 points) _____ C. On the chalkboard, write four (4) questions about how the book will end. These questions must be written in a way that will intrigue, interest and invite other readers to want to know the answers. Use variety with your sentences. (20 points) _____ D. Your next section is designed to "sell" your book in a clever "sales pitch" or commercial. If you definitely "talk to" your reader, you may use the word "you." This presentation must contain at least four (4), non-repetitious sentences. (20 points)_____ E. Do one (1) of the following regarding author information (10 points) _____ 1. Tell about your author’s life and background. 2. List at least four (4) other books by your author. 3. List at least four (4) other books on the same topic by other authors. F. You must answer each of the four (4) questions from part (C) with a least two (2) sentences of explanation for each question. These must be answered in such a way that you are telling about the rest of the book.(20 points) _____
Final Mark _____ 100 Your report should be memorized, although note cards are permissible, and you should have an outline of your presentation to show the teacher prior to your report. This will help you organize your presentation.
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