Strategy- Close Out Questions
Source- Kirby, D. , Kirby , D., & Liner, T. (2004). Inside out: strategies for teaching writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
As a future teacher I have been concerned with how to conclude a novel unit. The close out questions is a great handout that makes students think critically about the plot, theme, characterization, quotes, and vocabulary within the novel. Having students answer thought provoking questions I think it will help them fully understand a novel. The last question on the handout has students reflect on what aspects of the story they found particularly interesting, weird, or memorable. These handouts will be great for students to keep in their notebook and look back over before a cumulative exam or as a resource. This tool/activity can also be used to help students keep track of novels if they are reading more than one at a time. I think it would also be beneficial to have students then discuss their answers and provide textual evidence to back it up. This activity is a great way to have students look back over a novel for the overall literary elements.
I would have students read a novel and at the end of unit they would complete this handout and discuss it as a large group. I would have them keep these handouts in a special folder to help them keep what they have read so far in the semester in order.
This activity coincides directly to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study goals: English I Competency Goal 5- “The learner will demonstrate understanding of various literary genres,concepts, elements, and terms.”