Long-term Novel Units are some of my favorite lesson plans to create.  Of course, it may be the writer in me that gets such a kick out of pulling together details, state standards, and project activities into something amazing for my students.  It’s rewarding to pair up what reads like “boring” state standards with  lessons that are engaging and exciting!

Now, a novel unit may sound daunting and–look, who am I kidding, it is daunting!  But, guess what?  It’s totally do-able and  immensely rewarding when you actually  see it through to its conclusion; and that being, students who got into a novel unit with fire and energy, and ended it by showing you what they know in a way that not only matches their learning intelligence, but also shows without a doubt, that they actually mastered the objectives you were going for!

To get you started, check out one that I pulled together for a Hunger Games Novel Unit.

Here, you will see an example of a template that you too can use by tweaking it and making your own. In one space you can see the state standards met with this unit and the learning objectives clearly written out. You will also find examples of reading strategies that will assist the students in their mastery of this novel unit.

This unit plan also gives you an example of a creative way to develop a long-term calendar for your unit. By using Google Docs, you can include links to various documents and websites in your calendar that correlate with each class day.  Doing it this way puts all of your resources at your fingertips and helps with your planning. Have a peek and tell me what you think![image error]

One of my favorite parts in this lesson plan is the Student Journal Survival Guide.  This guide helps keep both you and your students on track as you work through it and make your way to the Final Challenge Unit Project.

Now, I get it.  There will be things you do not like and would do differently than how I planned my novel unit– that’s the point!

When you start thinking about the ways you would change it or do it differently you are already on your way to creating your own! Challenge accepted? Go ahead; and may the lesson planning be ever in your favor.