How to Create a Novel Study

Simply put, a novel study is a group of comprehension questions, short essay questions and critical thinking questions created by you for your students on a specific book. After the questions are created, students can either read the chapter books on their own and answer the questions, or you may create a time in class when the chapter is read aloud by you and/or students, and the questions answered in a group discussion. You may also create activities for students to complete after every couple of chapters, depending on your time and your inclination. As an elementary school teacher, I had the flexibility to create projects that included art, social studies and the like.

Selecting a book

The most important aspect of a novel study is to select a book in which both you and your students are interested. For my fourth grade class, which included readers of all levels, from mid-third grade level to fifth grade, I selected Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World by Mildred Pitts Walter I selected this book for a number of reasons: it was about a Black boy, who bonded with his "cowboy" grandfather over a summer. I thought this book was a change from the usual Beezus and Ramona books and offered my students a different perspective - especially when they read about how Grandpa can make the best biscuits in the world!

Creating your questions

This may be the most difficult part of your entire endeavor. You must read the book. After each chapter, create two or three of these types of questions: recall, comprehension and synthesis questions. By the end of the book you will have a large number of questions from which to choose. For classroom discussion, I would recommend more recall questions - as students can easily answer these questions and they are answered quickly. If your students are answering the questions on paper then perhaps the longer essay type questions would be more suitable.



Also allow for input from your students! If you allow them to give their opinions about the book and allow them to ask questions, they will become more involved in the book.

After you've completed your first novel study, you'll find it's an enjoyable way to help students engage with literature!

Don't have the time to create a novel study? Email me and I would be happy to create one for you