Reading Circle Task and a Book Trailer

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Reading Circle Task and a Book Trailer

1. What Is a Reading Circle?

The purpose of a ‘Reading Circle’ is to read a range of selected novels, magazine and newspaper articles and other texts, for the purpose of discussing your reading with others in your English class.

From reviews, comprehension and discussion activities, along with research on aspects of the novel or article you read, there will be many opportunities to share your thoughts, arguments and opinions within your ‘Reading Circle’.

Naturally, everyone will have a different opinion about what they consider to be a good or disappointing read and opinions are usually based upon preferred genres, reading interests, investigation findings and preferenceof author styles or literary persuasions.

A ‘Reading Circle’ will provide just the forum for you to present your point of view, debate plot-lines, argue about who the best authors are and which partof the novel you did or did not enjoy, parts that made you laugh or cry and whether you would recommend the novel to another reader.

At times, you may be asked to research aspects of your novel such as the background to a particular story, biographical information about an author, and study of a theme, topic, issue or position as presented by the author, etc.

2. Novel Review

Here are some general questions that can be used for any novel, and these may provide you with a good starting point to create your own discussion topics and sharing opportunities with others in your ‘Reading Circle’:

•Setting - What was the setting for the book you have read?

Did the setting establish an appreciation and enjoyment of the novel you have read?

•Theme - What specific themes did the author promote throughout the novel you read?

What do you think was the author’s point of view?

•Characters - Do the characters seem real and believable? Explain your answers.

Do any of the characters remind you of anyone you know or have read about in another novel

or text?

Do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story?

What events in the novel trigger such changes?

•Persuasion and Point of View – In what way does the author’s view about the topic,

theme or issue presented within the novel, reveal his or her position about the situation?

•Challenging Your View - Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so,

what made you feel that way?

Did this lead to a new understanding or awareness about the topic of theme being discussed?

TASK 1 - Reading Circle Discussion and Review

(Due: / / )

• In your group (up to 5 students), choose and read anovel from the Reading Circle Fiction collection.
• Read and reviewyour novelwith others in your group, noting comments and opinions shared by other members of your circle and indicate whether you agree or not with their ideas/opinions and state why or why not? (Approximately 1 - 2 pages):

- One opening paragraph summarising the story.

- Use the suggested outline to present your discussion and ideas with others in your Reading Circle.

TASK 2 – Reading Circle Book Trailer

(Due: / / )

Definition: A book trailer is a promotion or advertisement for a book you have read, using digital software and Web 2.0 tools and the final product is similar to movie and DVD trailers and previews. You can use PowerPoint, Keynote, I-Movie, Animoto, Slideshow makers and other Web 2.0 Internet tools. Just like movie trailers, you should never reveal the ending of a story and try and keep the viewer guessing about characters, events and conclusions. Book trailers can have accompanying music, narration and text. It is also best to keep the trailer short (2 minutes maximum time).

TASK:In your group, produce a 1 – 2 minute trailer, using an iPad or some type of software for the Reading novel by following these simple steps –

Step 1

You need to have read a book first before commencing a trailer activity and be sure about the genre of the book, as this will determine the type of mood and action you want to create for this production.

Step 2

Remember to keep the trailer short (2 minutes max)

Step 3

Consider planning your trailer and delegating equal responsibility to each group member for the notes, script, props, acting out the scenes and putting together the technical iMove editing/production.

• Main title slide – Include a book cover design.
• Make a note of the main conflicts, actions and surprises mentioned in the story

• Consider the main characters and what they are like in personality and looks

• Think about the number of slides and scenes/pictures to be included

• Any text to be included – write these down for each individual slide, if needed

• Gather up images or take your own pictures/video, sound or accompanying music.

• Copyright – Note that all images used must be acknowledged (referenced) in the final slide at the end of the presentation

• Use programs such as PowerPoint, Keynote, I-Movie, Final Cut, Movie Maker, Animoto, online slideshow makers and other Internet tools

• Do NOT give away the ending of the story at any stage

• Teachers will assist with access to computers, laptops and iMovie features, if needed.

Step 4

Use this checklist:

Book details included: Author, Title, Cover

Notes and scripts to be kept on file

Reference all images, music, books and Internet sites used

Video is no more than 2 minutes

Submit by / / of term