Third quarter Independent Reading is all about perspective. Although the Common Core standards refer to it as "point of view," it is not to be confused with literary point of view -- 1st person, 2nd person or 3rd person omniscient, limited, or objective.
This is perspective , and I always quibbled with how the Common Core standards were written, unnecessarily confusing the two in the minds of students.
There are several CC ELA standards that address perspective in literature that students need to master in 7th & 8th grades, and there's no better way to reinforce what you're teaching in class than with Independent Reading.
This quarter's Independent Reading assignment addresses the following standards:
7.RL.6 - Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.
7.RL.9 - Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place or character and historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.
Simply put, students read a historical fiction book of their choice. I recommend a few books on the assignment sheet, such as Calpurnia, but you can always ask your Social Studies teacher which books to recommend, or prohibit (if s/he/you plan to teach it, for example).
Students then write expository essay responses for their Reading Responses, with 3 citations of evidence from the text, using a simple PIE (Point, Information, Explanation) structure. It addresses this CC ELA Standard in 7th & 8th grades:.
7 & 8.W.2 - Write informative / explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization and analysis of relevant content.
The Independent Reading Project contains options from an adapted Film and Literature Unit for high school students. It addresses these reading literature standards, which some districts may chose not to teach (but students LOVE learning in 7/8th grade!):
7.RL.7 - Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in a film).
8.RL.7 - Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors.
Anticipatory Set / Hook: To introduce the unit, students read this excellent Wall Street Journal article, "Hollywood is working hard to make you cry," about how directors use specific techniques to invoke emotions and responses in their viewers. Students then identify examples from their own viewing experiences and discuss them in table groups, before sharing with the class. They absolutely love this!
Scaffolding: Then, introduce the following film terminology. I've attached a pdf of the Power Point / Slides presentation I used, but you can create your own, with additional terms and examples and more up-to-date movies. If you do, please share with me!
Modeling and Guided Practice: You will probably show several movie or film adaptations of other works of literature throughout the year. Students use these graphic organizers, whenever they view a film or documentary, to help get them in the habit of looking for lighting, camera angles and sound effects and the director's purpose for using them.
This free lesson plan from Prestwick House also contains graphic organizers and other teaching materials that walk your students through analyzing films of novels.
Also, you can address 7.RL.7 and 8.RL.7 with any of my Readers Theater postings about Iain Doescher's William's Shakespeare's Star Wars books, as his texts wonderfully match the films.
Evaluation: The Q3 Reading Project is the final evaluation of whether your students mastered these standards. Use a grading rubric that reinforces the standards of your classroom.
Student presentations in class address the following CC ELA speaking and listening standards:
7 & 8.SL.4 - Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, appropriate vocabulary, facts, details and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
