As a teacher, it is important to link students' classroom work with a real life purpose and have them produce authentic assignments. Sometimes, students create some of their best writing with an audience in mind. It is crucial to incorporate activities that will show adolescents that the work they do is relevant to the outside world and that other people may be able to read and comment on what they have to say. Students suddenly have a purpose for their assignments. In order to give an example and produce one of these authentic exercises, I wrote a book review on Amazon.com. As I was writing this review, I constantly had an audience in mind. I knew that people all around the world might come across this passage and take into account whether or not they should read or apply this novel in the classroom based on the opinion I provided.
Review: Goldengrove is a beautifully written novel. The language captures a
reader and intrigues him to explore not only the prose, but the
underlying story itself. It has many life lessons embedded within it.
If young adults are exposed to this novel, they may find it very
interesting and compelling. I think the adolescent themes which are
prevalent throughout the novel, will have readers relating to the
issues they may be experiencing. It doesn't necessarily have to be a
death in the family, but it could be a loss of a friendship or a
relationship. I think if this novel is brought into an English
classroom, it could be used to dissect the themes, language, and
lessons implanted throughout it. I also believe that this book can be
inspirational to some young readers. The main character, Nico, goes
through a powerful, life changing journey. Adolescents may be able to
learn or take the journey with Nico on how to develop a sense of who
they are and become strong, independent, and self reflecting
individuals who may withstand or go through any obstacle in life. I
contend that adolescents will flock to this novel for various reasons;
one being that this text is very modern, unlike what the average high
school student is used to, and deals with issues they may relate to.
The other reason is that this piece of work is very accessible, and
young adults may find it pleasurable to read and discuss.
The following calendar and lesson plans are from a ten day unit plan on Goldengrove by Francine Prose:
Intended Grade: Tenth
Intended Level: Regents or Honors
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1 Chapter 1
Creating a still life
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2 Chapters 2-3
Reading between the lines
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3 Chapters 4-6
Thinking of interpreting, directing, and acting out a scene
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4 Chapter 7
Creating poems through close reading of prose
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5 Chapters 8-9
Actions without words Photostory |
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6
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7 Chapters 10-13
Performing scenes with a checklist in mind
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8 Chapters 14-16
Preparing to be directors and actors on screen
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9
Introduction to the final film project.
Writing a Film Pitch
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10
Conventions of the format
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Throughout this unit I incorporate performance and technology in order to explore the novel’s aesthetically pleasing language and powerfully intertwined themes of coming of age, coping with grief, and learning to value family relationships. Students use tableaux vivants, silent scenes, and acting with words in order to bring the reading alive. Students also use technology for homework in order to convey their ideas and thoughts about the novel. As a culminating project, students are required to make a film. This film allows students to synthesize all they have learned from and about the novel, and connect it to their own life experiences.
