Whole Novels for the Whole Class: A Student-Centered Approach [Paperback]

Work with students at all levels to help them read novels

Whole Novels is a practical, field-tested guide to implementing a student-centered literature program that promotes critical thinking and literary understanding through the study of novels with middle school students. Rather than using novels simply to teach basic literacy skills and comprehension strategies, Whole Novels approaches literature as art. The book is fully aligned with the Common Core ELA Standards and offers tips for implementing whole novels in various contexts, including suggestions for teachers interested in trying out small steps in their classrooms first.

• Includes a powerful method for teaching literature, writing, and critical thinking to middle school students
• Shows how to use the Whole Novels approach in conjunction with other programs
• Includes video clips of the author using the techniques in her own classroom

This resource will help teachers work with students of varying abilities in reading whole novels.

About the Author vii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

PART 1 ESSENTIAL PRACTICES 11

1 A Case for Whole Novels for the Whole Class 13

Parts of the Whole: My Annual Curriculum Map 30

2 Selecting the Right Books—Five Dimensions of Good Chemistry 35

3 Authentic Note Taking—Three Levels of Thinking, Three Levels of Response 68

Parts of the Whole: A View of Whole Novel Study from Start to Finish 102

4 Whole Novel Discussions—Everyone Has a Voice 107

Parts of the Whole: Lessons from Beginning Teachers on Whole Novels 136

5 Making the Writing Connectiols4