What is a novel study?
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Sept 19, 2023
What is a novel study? As a middle school or upper elementary teacher, you already know that teaching students to read is so much more than decoding words on a page. Once your students have mastered the fundamentals of phonics, fluency, and vocabulary, a novel study can take them to the next level of their learning journey. This post is the first in my series on planning novel studies your learners will love. It focuses on the essential question of “What is a Novel Study?”
Looking for a FREE Step by Step Novel Study Planning Guide? Click on the image or button below to download your FREE guide!
For more information on teaching specific novels, you won’t want to miss our posts on teaching Because of Winn Dixie, Wonder, The Hunger Games, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Outsiders!
What is a novel study?
To start our exploration, we first have to clarify what a novel study is not. It’s not simply a matter of studying a book’s plot. It isn’t just about quizzing students on the events that happened on a specific page. So, what is a novel study then?
Novel studies go far beyond teaching a book. A novel study is an opportunity to teach your students how to engage with a book in a meaningful way. It encourages them to look beyond the words on the page and to read between the lines, developing critical reading comprehension and analytical skills that will benefit them for years to come.
What’s more, novel studies allow your students to become active participants in their own learning experience. When done well, a book study strikes a balance between teacher guidance and student-led analysis, empowering your students to develop, practice, and refine their reading comprehension and analysis skills. And perhaps the best outcome of a successful book study is the creation of a safe space where students can foster a love and appreciation for reading. As an English teacher, there’s nothing more rewarding than that!
A novel study presents a fantastic opportunity to accomplish several goals with a cohesive approach. To begin with, it allows for the simultaneous address of multiple learning objectives and state standards within a single unit. Moreover, novel studies provide an ideal setting for integrating reading and writing skills, fulfilling the aspirations of ELA teachers.
How do novel studies benefit student learning?
One of the greatest benefits that students derive from novel studies is the invaluable exposure they gain. Novels serve as gateways to diverse experiences and perspectives, allowing students to step into worlds outside their own. As our own experiences shape us, students often have limited exposure to different cultures, historical periods, and unfamiliar circumstances.
In addition to expanding their horizons, students acquire essential skills beyond the content of the book. Collaborative activities and discussions require them to collaborate, practice active listening, and consider the viewpoints of others. Engaging with the novel offers students numerous opportunities to develop a sense of perspective, appreciating that people think and work in diverse ways.
Furthermore, novel studies provide a unique context for vocabulary acquisition. Unlike traditional methods such as spelling bees or weekly vocabulary lists, students encounter new words organically within the context of the story. This approach offers a more meaningful and authentic understanding of vocabulary, as students see words being used in real-world situations.
If you are struggling with choosing the perfect book for your next novel study, you won’t want to miss our lists of favorite middle school and upper elementary novels!
Are you looking for more information on novel studies?
Check out these related blog posts below!
Novel Study Text Selection Tips
Building Novel Study Engagement
Benefits of Teaching Novel Studies
Hatchet Novel Study Activities
Middle School Novel Study Favorites
Upper Elementary Novel Study Favorites
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