Tuesday- September 29, 2009

Fiction:

1. Foreshadowing is a technique authors use to build suspense. Point out several places where the author uses this technique to hint at future events. Is the clue so obvious it makes you realize what is going to happen, or does it make you curious?
2. You've been hired to write an add to promote the movie version of this book. Make sure it conveys teh main charactesr, and what he or she discovers about himself or herself or about others

Non-fiction:

1. Stop! Skim! Think! Not all information in nonfiction books is factual. Did the author of your book weave opinions into facts? Describe these points in the book or describe how he used strictly fact.
2. Did this book make you want to take action in some way? Discuss ways in which you could use what you learned from this book to improve something in the world.

Thursday- September 24, 2009

Fiction:

• A talk show host asks your main character the following question: "What fears or worries keep you up at night? What was the lowest point in your life?"
• Pretend you are the author of your book. You are in front of millions of TV views and a reporter asks you: "So do you think people are basically good- hearted or basically selfish?" Based on the characters in this novel, what would you answer?

Non-Fiction:

• Discuss the main theme of your book. What is it all about? What message does the author try to convey to the reader
• Explain why the title of your book is an effective or ineffective title.

Tuesday- September 22, 2009

Fiction:

• Answer the question from a main character's point of view: "So now that you've made it through all that you have, what's next for you? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years? Why?"
• Mad? You slam a door. Hurt? You cry or run away. Sad? You slump your shoulders. What you say and do communicates your mood and even your personality. The same is true for book characters. Find and discuss two character-revealing passages, and explain what each taught you about the character's feeings, motivations, and personality traits.

Non-Fiction:

• Describe the various connections you can make with your book. What experiences, stories, or world events can you connect to your book?
• Take a visual stroll through your book. Which charts, diagrams, and illustrations helped you to learn the most about your topic?

Thursday- September 17, 2009

Please answer one of the following questions:

Fiction

• Is there a moment in the book that reminded you of something you have done or felt? Find the passage and read it aloud. Explain why you connected to it and how the passage is important to the story.
• You are directing a play based on this book. Your lighting director asks you to choose a color to help create the mood of the opening scene. First discuss and define the mood, and then pick a color. What associations do you have with this color that made it your choice.

Finished

• Pick your favorite character. Which settings deeply affect the character's decisions and feelings? Which create problems? Identify two or three setting and clearly explain the impact each has on the character

Tuesday- September 15, 2009

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Please answer one of the following questions based on what you have read thus far.


Fiction:

• You board a train and discover you have the choice of sitting next to the main character or another character in the book. With whom would you choose to talk? Why? What would you like to ask the character? What would you tell him or her? (Remember, you do not need to choose the most admirable character.)
• From one of the character's points of view, answer the following question: Who in your life understands you the least? How do you think he or she will come to understand you better?

Non-fiction:

• A museum has asked you to fill a glass exhibit case with information on the topic of your book. Which three facts or ideas from this book would you want museum-goers to know? Why? Are there any other artifacts you would include?
• Why do you think the author chose to include the pictures and diagrams in your book that he/she did? How do they help convey the message of your book?

Finished:

• The main character of your book had problems that he or she couldn't solve. Choose two unsolvable problems, explain how the main character deals with each and why each one was impossible to resolve.