| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | Reading Choose your book from the suggested list (or another animal fantasy you love). Read the first chapter or opening pages slowly. Jot down your very first impressions in your reading journal: Who do we meet? Where are we? What's the mood? |
| Tuesday | Research + Writing Look up the author — read a short bio and one interview if you can find one online. In your journal, write a paragraph: What inspired this author to write about animals? Does knowing this change how you read the opening? |
| Wednesday | Reading + Art Read chapters 2–3. While you read, keep a sticky note or margin note for any animal you want to sketch. After reading, draw your protagonist in your reading journal — how do you picture them? Include 3 details pulled directly from the text. |
| Thursday | Grammar Intro to phrases vs. clauses. Work through 5 example sentences from your novel: identify each group of words as a phrase (no subject+verb) or clause (has subject+verb). Write 3 original sentences about your book's protagonist using at least one phrase and one clause each. |
| Friday | Project + Discussion Begin your Character Profile Sheet: draw or paint your protagonist, fill in their name, species, home, personality, and one quote from the text that best captures them so far. Discuss: Why do authors write from an animal's point of view? What does that let them explore that a human narrator couldn't? |
Write a full paragraph (5–8 sentences) describing your first impressions of the novel. Include: one thing that surprised you, one thing that reminded you of something you've experienced, and one question you already have. End with a prediction: what do you think this book will be about at its deepest level?
Spend 10 minutes writing from the perspective of your protagonist on the very first morning of the story — before the plot kicks in. What does your animal notice? What do they smell, hear, feel? Use at least three sensory details.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | Reading Read chapters 4–5. Focus on the protagonist and their relationships. In your journal, note: Who does the protagonist care about most so far? Who do they distrust? Find one quote that reveals something important about their personality — copy it down with the page number. |
| Tuesday | Grammar Noun phrases and verb phrases. Identify 5 noun phrases and 5 verb phrases from your novel. Practice expanding a simple sentence ("The rat ran") into a more complex one using noun and verb phrases ("The old gray rat ran silently through the darkened corridor"). |
| Wednesday | Reading + Writing Read chapter 6. After reading, write a character analysis journal entry: What does your protagonist want? What is stopping them? How do you know — what specific moments or quotes from the text support your answer? |
| Thursday | Art + Project — Clay Sculpt Begin sculpting a mini-figurine of your protagonist out of air-dry clay or sculpting clay. Focus on getting the basic body proportions and identifying features right (ears, tail, size, posture). Don't worry about perfection — this is a working model. While you work, think about how the author describes this character physically: does your sculpture match those details? |
| Friday | Reading + Discussion Read chapter 7. Discuss the week's reading and your character web. Focus on: How is the protagonist already changing, even this early in the story? |
Write a focused paragraph analyzing what motivates your protagonist. Your paragraph must include: a clear topic sentence stating the motivation, at least two cited pieces of evidence from the text (use quotation marks and page numbers), and a concluding sentence explaining why this motivation matters to the story. Aim for 8–10 sentences.
Choose a secondary character from your novel and write one journal entry from their point of view about the protagonist. How do they see the main character? What do they notice that the protagonist might not know about themselves?
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | Reading Read chapters 8–9. As you read, keep a "setting log" — every time the author describes a place, jot down the specific details they use. Notice: Does the author use mostly visual details, or do they bring in sound, smell, and texture too? |
| Tuesday | Grammar Prepositional and participial phrases. Find 3 prepositional phrases in your novel that describe setting ("through the darkened tunnel," "beneath the old oak"). Then write a paragraph describing a scene from your book using at least 4 prepositional phrases to anchor the reader in space. |
| Wednesday | Reading + Writing Read chapters 10–11. Choose the setting you love most so far — the one you can picture most vividly. Write a descriptive paragraph about it from the animal protagonist's perspective: not just what it looks like, but how it feels to be a small creature in this space. What's enormous? What's threatening? What's safe? |
| Thursday | Project — Diorama Planning Choose the scene or setting you'll build for your diorama project. Reread the relevant passage(s) in the book. Make a planning sketch: draw the scene from above (bird's-eye view) and from the front. List 5 specific details from the text you want to include. List your materials. |
| Friday | Discussion + Begin Building Share your planning sketch and discuss: How does this setting shape the story? What would change if the story happened somewhere completely different? Then begin gathering or assembling diorama materials. |
Write a full descriptive paragraph (8–12 sentences) describing a setting from your novel from the protagonist's point of view. Remember: your character is small — a mouse, a bat, an owl. The world they move through is enormous. Use at least 4 prepositional phrases, 3 sensory details (not just visual), and one metaphor or simile to bring the setting to life.
Write a short planning note (1 paragraph) explaining your diorama choice: Which scene or setting did you pick and why? What three details from the text are most important to include? What materials do you plan to use?
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | Reading Read chapters 12–13. Look for the major conflict taking shape: What is your protagonist up against? Write a brief plot summary of what's happened so far (5–6 sentences), then identify the central conflict in one clear sentence. |
| Tuesday | Grammar Dependent and independent clauses; building complex sentences. Practice joining two simple sentences about your book into one complex sentence using a subordinating conjunction (because, although, while, since, when, unless). Write 5 such sentences about the story. |
| Wednesday | Reading + Writing Read chapters 14–15. After reading, write a theme journal entry: What do you think this book is really about? Not the plot — but the deeper idea. Friendship? Survival? Belonging? What moments in the story made you think this? |
| Thursday | Project — Build Diorama Dedicated art day. Work on building your diorama: construct the base, add landscape elements, begin placing or sculpting characters. Put on music and take your time. Aim to have the physical structure mostly complete by end of the day. |
| Friday | Reading + Discussion Read chapter 16. Discuss: Has there been a turning point yet — a moment where everything changed for the protagonist? What happened and why does it matter? |
Write a journal entry exploring the theme of your novel. Begin with your best statement of the theme as a complete sentence (not just a word like "friendship" — write a sentence like "True friendship means staying loyal even when it costs you something"). Then explain how 2–3 specific moments in the story develop or support that theme. Use at least one direct quote from the text.
In 4–6 sentences, describe the central conflict of your novel. Name the conflict type, explain what's at stake for the protagonist, and predict: how do you think this conflict will be resolved? What will the protagonist have to sacrifice or change in order to get through it?
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | Reading Read chapters 17–19. The pace is probably picking up — notice how the author builds tension. In your journal, list three specific techniques the author uses to make you feel the urgency: short sentences? Unexpected dialogue? A ticking clock? Find evidence for each. |
| Tuesday | Grammar + Writing Punctuating complex sentences: comma before coordinating conjunctions, no comma with subordinating conjunctions at the end. Edit 5 example sentences, then begin drafting your narrative scene. Write the opening paragraph of your new scene — set the stage, introduce the moment, and establish the tone. |
| Wednesday | Reading + Writing Read chapters 20–21. Continue drafting your narrative scene. Aim to have a complete first draft (1–2 pages): a beginning, a middle with tension or action, and an ending. Don't edit — just write! |
| Thursday | Project — Finish Diorama Final art day for the diorama. Add finishing details: paint, color, texture, small plants or objects. Write your scene card: identify the setting, explain its importance to the plot, and copy out one quote from the text. Mount or display the card with the diorama. |
| Friday | Reading + Discussion Read chapters 22–end (or as far as you've gotten). Discuss: What was the climax — the highest point of tension? How did the protagonist handle it? Did the resolution feel satisfying? |
Write an original scene (1–2 pages) set in the world of your novel. Your scene should feature the protagonist in a moment not shown in the book — maybe just before the story starts, between two chapters, or just after the ending. Use the author's style: match the tone, the animal's perspective, and the level of detail. Include at least one dialogue exchange and one moment of internal thought.
Write a scene card to display with your diorama (5–7 sentences). Name the setting, explain where in the story it appears, describe why this moment or place is important to the plot, and include one direct quote from the text with the page number.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday | Writing Write an objective summary of the novel (1 paragraph, 8–10 sentences). An objective summary sticks to what actually happened — no opinions, no analysis, just the key plot points. Cover: the protagonist, the central conflict, the rising action, the climax, and the resolution. |
| Tuesday | Grammar + Revision Subject-verb agreement mini-lesson: review tricky cases (compound subjects, indefinite pronouns). Then revise your narrative scene draft: read it aloud, check for grammar errors, and improve at least three sentences by adding stronger descriptive phrases. |
| Wednesday | Revise + Polish Final revision of your narrative scene. Focus on: Does it sound like it belongs in this book? Does the animal's voice feel authentic? Fix any punctuation errors and rewrite any sentences that feel weak. Create a clean final copy. |
| Thursday | Gallery Prep — Book Poster Set up your diorama with its scene card. Then create a display poster for your gallery: include your book's title, a favorite quote, a hand-drawn or painted image of a key moment, and a 2–3 sentence "hook" paragraph that would make someone want to read this book. Display the poster, diorama, and narrative scene together. Write one final journal entry: What did you love most about this book? What will you remember about it in ten years? |
| Friday | Gallery Walk + Celebrate Share your diorama, scene card, and narrative scene with a family member or another student. Read your favorite excerpt from the novel aloud. Discuss: What makes a great animal fantasy? What would YOU write if you were the author? |
Write an objective summary of the novel in one paragraph (8–10 sentences). Rules: No "I think" or "I liked." No spoiler-free vagueness — actually tell what happened. Cover all five story elements: protagonist, setting, conflict, rising action/climax, and resolution. Someone who hasn't read the book should understand the whole story from your summary.
Write a reflection (1 page) on your reading experience this unit. Answer: What surprised you most about this book? How did your understanding of the theme develop over the 6 weeks? What is one technique you noticed the author using that you want to try in your own writing? What does this story make you want to do, make, or read next?
| Criteria | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topic Sentence | Clear, specific claim about motivation that goes beyond the obvious | Clear claim about motivation is present | Topic sentence is vague or too broad | No clear topic sentence; reader must guess the main point |
| Textual Evidence | 2+ well-chosen quotes, smoothly integrated with page numbers | 2 quotes present with page numbers, some integration | 1 quote or evidence present but not well integrated | No direct evidence from the text |
| Analysis | Explains clearly HOW the evidence supports the claim; insightful | Explains connection between evidence and claim | Evidence listed but not fully explained | No analysis; only summarizes or describes |
| Conventions | No errors; sentences vary in structure; smooth and polished | Minor errors that don't interfere with meaning | Some errors that occasionally distract | Frequent errors that make the paragraph hard to follow |
| Criteria | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voice & Perspective | Animal's voice feels fully authentic; clearly inhabits the character from the novel | Animal's perspective is consistent and believable | Perspective inconsistent; occasionally slips out of animal's point of view | No clear animal perspective; reads like a human narrator |
| Setting & Sensory Detail | Rich, specific sensory details (smell, sound, texture); scale reflects the animal's size and perspective | Setting is clearly established with some sensory detail | Setting present but mostly visual; few sensory details | Little or no setting description |
| Plot & Tension | Scene has a clear beginning, moment of tension or action, and resolution; feels complete | Scene has beginning, middle, end; some tension present | Scene starts but doesn't fully develop or resolve | Scene is a description or summary, not a narrative |
| Style Match | Clearly inspired by the author's style: matching tone, pacing, and sentence rhythm | Some stylistic echo of the novel is evident | Little connection to the original author's style | No apparent awareness of the original author's style |
| Conventions | Dialogue punctuated correctly; sentences vary; very few errors | Mostly correct; minor errors present | Some errors in dialogue punctuation or sentence structure | Frequent errors throughout |
| Criteria | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Textual Accuracy | 5+ specific details from the text are accurately represented in the diorama | 3–4 text details accurately represented | 1–2 text details present; some invented elements | Diorama does not appear to reference the text |
| Craft & Effort | Detailed, multi-layered construction; clearly took time and care; creative use of materials | Completed with care; shows effort and planning | Partially complete or rushed; limited materials used | Minimal effort; very simple or incomplete |
| Scene Card — Content | Clearly identifies setting, explains its plot importance, includes cited quote, and makes an insightful connection to theme | Identifies setting, importance, and includes a quote | Mentions setting and quote but explanation is vague | Missing key elements; no quote or no explanation |
| Scene Card — Writing | Clear, polished sentences; no significant errors | Mostly clear; minor errors present | Some errors that distract from meaning | Frequent errors; hard to follow |
| Criteria | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completeness | All 5 story elements covered: protagonist, setting, conflict, rising action/climax, resolution | 4 of 5 elements clearly present | 3 of 5 elements present; gaps in coverage | Covers only 1–2 elements; very incomplete |
| Objectivity | Entirely objective — no opinions, evaluations, or "I" statements; reads like the back of a book | Mostly objective; one or two opinion slips | Several opinions mixed in; hard to tell summary from reaction | Mostly opinion or personal reaction, not summary |
| Accuracy | All details are accurate and correctly sequenced | Mostly accurate; one minor error or sequence issue | Some inaccuracies or significant gaps | Multiple inaccuracies that misrepresent the story |
| Concision & Clarity | Every sentence pulls its weight; no repetition; clear and efficient | Clear and mostly concise; slight redundancy | Some sentences are vague or repetitive | Rambling or very unclear; hard to follow |