Reading in the Middle, Junior and Senior High Schools, Spring, 2010

Novel News: Broadcast Coverage of Character, Conflict, Resolution, and Setting
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/novel-news-broadcast-coverage-199.html?tab=2#tabs
In this lesson plan, students read in a piece of literature and then construct a news broadcasting segment of that portion of the work giving detailed coverage of the characters, setting, plot, conflict and resolution. After developing a news feed, students will perform their news story to the class. The one thing I like is that students can work alone or in groups. There are many choices here for this activity. I love how the lesson plan breaks down the process for you. The assignment is formed into five sessions so the teacher can split it between several classes. It gives in detail a way to make the project run somewhat smoothly.
This lesson definitely fits the standards. It can cover many genres and the student applies their knowledge to literary terms in their piece. They have to know what exactly conflict and resolution or setting is in order to complete this project. Students will have to discuss the literature and use written and visual methods for the news broadcasting. These standards also apply to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. This activity is cross disciplinary because depending on the work, students may need to do research regarding history and definitely about persuasion and propaganda.
Students will use several materials to complete this project. That may include books, internet, handouts and charts to help them with the literary elements. They also may need supplies to make signs and other displays for their news story. This Read Write Think lesson plan provides a rubric and Literary Elements Map that teachers can use. Teachers can also use the recommended websites to further help their students or find another lesson to use.
I absolutely loved this idea and plan to use it in my class. I think it covers a lot of different areas and is an exciting fun way to get your students interested in the piece of literature they are reading. I thought too that groups of students can read different books. This is a great way to show their classmates what they read in their unit. I really just love this idea.

Sandy, I really liked this lesson plan because I believe literary elements are essential for every student. For a student to even begin to understand the parts of a novel they need to know what each part is doing. This also applies to their writing. I liked that this brings in reading and applying the elements to the story and to their writing and doesn’t just focusing on one way of teaching it.

I really liked this idea because it allowed the students to be creative and think outside the box a little. I think that students learn the most when it doesn't feel like they're learning. If they're having a good time then they are more likely to put in a lot more effort on the assignment.

I really enjoyed using the Anticipation Guide. It really caused me to think. I felt like I had a better understanding of what I needed to look for when I actually began reading the article. I liked going back too to answer the questions again because it made me stop and reread what I had written previously. I felt like I was looking at my thoughts progressing. I think I will use this in my future classroom.