Provide a range of learning activities that students can choose to work on(ensure students have a clear understanding of the features of a narrative before introducing the learning centre activities):
Knowledge and Comprehension
* Recall the events in the book. List them in order and draw a picture that represents each event.
* Which character do you think is the most important? Write down your reasons why. Identify the traits of the character eg Who is the character? Where do they live? What do they like to do? Who are their friends/ enemies? What else is important about this character?
Your opinion of the book?
* If you enjoyed the novel, write an advertisement for it clearly explaining why others should read it.
* If you didn't enjoy the novel, write explaining why and give your suggestions to improve the story.
* List the main points of the novel. Write a summary of the story that will inspire others to read it.
* Describe in your own words the setting where most of the action takes place. Draw a labelled diagram of the setting.
* Using the main events of the book, give each event a rating eg 1 - not exciting....5 - very exciting.
* Plot this information on a line graph.
Application
* Using the ending of the novel, make up another story and present it as a picture book.
* Choose a character. Write a set off questions that could be used to interview that character. Remember to make them open-ended.
* Develop a set of question cards based on the book. Write the answers on the back. Quiz someone who has read the book.
* Choose a character and write a personal diary for them, using the events that happened to him/her.
* Write a newspaper article on an important incident in the novel. Include a headline, date and place. Remember to include: who, what, where, why, when and how. You can include a picture.
Analysis
* Compare two characters in the book. How are they similar/ the same? Use a Venn diagram.
* List the characters for your novel and any other books you've read recently. Group the characters according to their characteristics eg bravery, kindness.
* List the characters in order of preference. Give clear reasons for each character's place on the line.
* Which character did you most dislike in one of the novels you have read? Explain why and using this information, design a wanted poster for the character stating what they are wanted for? Include a picture of the character.
Synthesis
* Write a new ending for the novel.
* List all the memorable events in the book. Create a collage to represent your memories.
* Think about a part of the story that appealed to you. Brainstorm your feelings. Use these ideas to write a poem.
* Create a comic strip based on the book. Remember to think about the main points of the story.
Evaluation
* What part of the book did you enjoy? Write a letter to a friend recommending the story to them. Include a brief outline of the story and the reasons why they should read it.
* Make a bookmark for your novel with a short evaluation of the strong and the week points on the back.
* State the reasons why this story could have happened and give reasons why it could not have happened.
* Give answers to these questions with your reasons:
o Which character would you most likely admire?
o Which character would you most likely dislike?
o Which character would you most likely be friends with?
o Which character would you most likely learn from?
o Which character would you most like to know more about?
(Based on Bloom's Taxonomy)
