First Year English Novel

gagiteebo

Hi all,

I have a first year English class this year and am just wondering is it too early to do a wee novel with them? If not, are there any that you would recommend? It's all boys as well so something that they will like

Thanks :pac:

Rosita

I did 'Of Mice and Men' (John Steinbeck) last year with First Years during the Dip year. It's quite short and there's also a film which they enjoyed watching at the end.

I had it on CD which helped when they grew a bit tired of reading which is something to consider when choosing a novel I would suggest - is it available to you on a CD/Tape. Obviously reading aloud would be part of the learning process but the CD provides a good model for them for reading as well and mixes things up a bit in the class.

The novel is slow-moving enough but I had them only twice a week. I got them to do some reading at home which they actually did appear to do but if I had them every day it wouldn't seem to dragged on for as long maybe.

The novel raises some interesting points such as the nature of friendship/dependency, as well as racism and power. But there are people far more experienced in recommending age-appropriate material who might have other suggestions. But 'Of Mice and Men' certainly worked as a novel even if maybe the teaching was a bit raw!

peanuthead

I did film studies with my group last year. I did The Kite Runner with the intention of studying the novel for JC in 2nd/3rd.

A weak group but I wanted them to do something different and I had other reasons - basically they are so prejudiced towards any race/gender etc.. Not all boys, but mainly boys.

It worked brilliantly. Thing is, don't know if you have read book or seen film, not entirely suitable so you have to be careful what clips you show them. Need parental permission for 1st year film too as it's 15PG.

But it was well worth it, they are dying to do novel this year now (well they were when I left them in May!!)

If you want ideas on what clips, parts of the book just PM

Stewie Griffin

"Private Peaceful" by Michael Morpurgo is a decent read.

"Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" is also popular.

gagiteebo

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll have a look at them all and pick one for them :pac:

spurious

'Panther in the basement' by Amos Oz went down quite well with some of ours.

Skoool.ie site on 'Panther in the basement'.

There is a film version called 'The Little Traitor' which is age-appropriate.

ulysses32

Have used the following in recent times with full range mixed ability classes:

Holes by Louis Sachar

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

Stone Cold by Robert Swindells

The Cay by Thepodore Taylor

The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo

Buddy by Nigel Hinton

Looking at Hitler's Canary as an option this year.

Terri26

Don't do "Holes" or "The boy in the ...." as both of these are very popular at primary level so some of your kids might have already read them.
The Cay is a great one as is Private Peaceful, I woudl think the Kite Runner is too heavy for first years!
In the past I have done, The Cay, The boy ..., Holes, Private Peaceful, I am David, Good night Mister Tom

peanuthead

Terri26 wrote: »

Don't do "Holes" or "The boy in the ...." as both of these are very popular at primary level so some of your kids might have already read them.
The Cay is a great one as is Private Peaceful, I woudl think the Kite Runner is too heavy for first years!
In the past I have done, The Cay, The boy ..., Holes, Private Peaceful, I am David, Good night Mister Tom

Depends on how you approach it. If you were trying to cover it start to finish you're absolutely right - but I introduced it as a film with the view to starting the book in second year. they surprisingly took to it extremely well and although I couldn't show the full film (parts of it too bloody/graphic for their 'sweet' eyes) a lot of them went home and asked parents to get it out on dvd for them.

As I said to the OP and that goes for anyone, if they are interested I have some great resources for introducing this novel. PM if interested