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Class Novels

Click below to find our recommended class novels on our online bookshop:  

How do I choose a novel for my class ?

Consider the following: reading ability, interests, favourite authors, current trends, aspects of curriculum, themes (different cultures, bullying, history), award winners, recommendations, novels with teacher’s notes, novel by an Irish author who is available to visit your school. 

A. Include cost of novel in book list to parents, children keep book, leaving you free to try new novels each year.

B. School pays for novel, re-use with another class or next year, or share with a neighbouring school.

Divide the book into readable sections. (E.g. term is 6 weeks, book is 20 chapters, take 3 or 4 chapters.)

Read the chapters aloud. Allow children to volunteer to read a couple of pages. This helps build confidence. Encourage all children to read aloud by end of novel. The teacher might read too.

After each chapter have a discussion, or use worksheets or general notes below. These oral and written activities can help the novel to come alive for the child.

Identify author, illustrator, publisher, length of book, chapters.

Write to the author tell them what you think of the book.

Create a wanted poster for one of the characters offering a reward.

Author Visit phone Poetry Ireland 01 - 4789974 for a list of authors.

Draw a movie poster advert and cast one or two real actors in the lead roles.

Write and design an advert for the novel to encourage others to buy and read.

Describe the setting for the story, where and when. Would you like to be there.

Read the story to the last chapter, class write their version of final chapter.

Story Board: create a story board using only six pictures and captions to tell the story.

Redesign a cover: look at other books and discuss covers, marketing styles and strategies.

Arts & Crafts : bookmark, mural, collage, time capsule for one of the characters, diorama of one scene.

Develop and design an award for this novel, explain the criteria and why it won. Check out the Bisto awards.

First Impressions: describe characters, name, age, appearance, dress, personality, habits, other. Reread later.

Vocabulary

Dramatise the story or one scene.

Write a newspaper report on an incident in the novel.

If you could be a character in the book who would it be.

Where do you think the author got the idea for the story.

Create a story chain containing at least 10 links.

Poem: write a poem about the story, character, event. 

What would you change in the book if you had written it. 

Write a review, not a synopsis, try to be honest and critical.

Rewrite as a picture book for young children . 

Favourite chapter

Re-enact dialogue between two characters.

List the "goodies" and the "baddies".

Set a quiz on the novel.

Discuss and rewrite the blurb.

Write a brief outline of a sequel to this story.

Write about the most exciting or boring part.

Interview a character.

Compare two novels that the class have read.

Make a word search using words from the book.