Novel Study
Third Grade Novel StudiesThis page may contain affiliate links in addition to links to our curriculum, which simply put means if you purchase something
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Dragon's Don't Cook Pizza
There’s a new pizza place in town. When the class from Bailey School earns a pizza party they find that there may be more to the kitchen than meets the eye.
Midnight on the Moon
10 – 9 – 8 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – BLASTOFF! Going to the moon is a dream for so many children. Help them take a trip there in a book with Jack and Annie.
The Littles
If the Littles hung out over your dinner table, what would they hear? Compare the different encounters with the mouse. What kind of Little is Uncle Pete? Design a mouse trap and describe how it would work. Explore these kinds of questions and more in this novel study of The Littles by John Peterson.
The Magic Finger
Have you ever been so mad that the world turned red? Find out exactly how a world of wrong was turned right when one little girl saw red.
The Magic School Bus Butterfly Battle
Can you identify a blue morpho? What about a painted lady? Beautiful butterflies capture the hearts and imaginations of children everywhere. Use this plus the magic of the Magic School Bus to captivate your young readers.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Every school is a little zany but none quite like Wayside! Take a peek into the world of Wayside School through these 30 stories that all come together to make a complete novel.
Thinking While Reading
As with all my novel studies, schema activation, predictions, space to record independent thinking, journal prompts, get out of the book activities and personal reflection questions take the forefront with a few traditional comprehension questions sprinkled in here and there. Why do I write them that way? Because, children need the opportunity to do more than read the words written in a book. They need to spend time with it, roll the content around in their brains, and make decisions with and without the guidance of the teacher. Here’s your chance for adventure, let’s go!
What’s in a Novel Study?
Each novel study contains several sections and each section a variety of parts.
Getting Started & Wrap It Up
Open up and pull together your thinking with these two sections that occur only once in each study.
Comprehension Questions
While these questions may be more traditional, don’t expect them to be easy. Dig into the text to find the answers.
While You are Reading
Metacognition – thinking about thinking – brings out a greater understanding of the content.
Journal Your Thoughts
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Get Out of the Book
Research, create, try something new – this part of each novel study section is about digging deeper and discovering more than what the text directly states.
What About You?
Use these prompts to create connections, form & defend an opinion and consider your own characteristics & actions and compare yourself to
Similar Novel Studies
Want a suggestion for another study? Have an idea for us?
Here are a couple of suggestions and a way to share your idea with us.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Where can some time thinking through a classic take you? How about underground? Spend some time out of the sun and discover the creative ingenuity of Mr. Fox.
Mr. Popper's Penguins
What type of penguin in Capitan Cook? You can quit flipping pages, it isn’t in the book. With a little research about penguins, a bit of critical thinking and a touch of inferring, you CAN figure it out. Take your students on a journey of deep thinking and interaction with the text and their world using this novel study for Mr. Popper’s Penguins.
Have an Idea?
What book does your family want to read? Send Us Your Request for a New Novel Study
Email: kandis@smartsimplehomeschool.com
Note: Though we would love to turn every book into a novel study, each study takes a significant amount of time. Please be aware that though all recommendations will be considered, not all can be accomplished.