Step 7: Begin Reading the novel.
During Reading Ch. 1-3 If you sometimes have difficulty with reading novels like this one, listening to an audio book is a nice option. If you have a learning disability in reading, or are visually or physically impaired, you can access the audio book at rfbd.org. Another website to try is bookshare.org. If those dont work for you, try your local library or ask an English teacher in your school. You may also purchase an audio version of the book at: http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Low-Price-CD/dp/0061808121/ref=tmm_abk_title_0 . Another idea is to watch the movie first and then youll have an easier time understanding the events of the novel as you read. But beware! The movie is quite different from the book.
Effective readers ask questions to clarify their thinking. The first chapter of any book can be confusing, and yes, it can also be boring. The first chapter of this novel includes a lot of details about the town of Maycomb and its history. Dont worry if you dont quite understand it all. The novel gets more interesting after the first couple of chapters.
Step 8: Write down five questions you have about the novel in your Readers Notebook after reading Chapter 1.
Step 9 : After reading the first three chapters, answer the following questions in your Readers Notebook:
1) What are the main ideas in the novel so far?
2) What is the subject of the novel at this point? 3) Describe the setting of the novel.
4) What kind of childhood do you think Jem and Scout are experiencing?
5) How do Jem and Scout get along with each other?
6) What is their relationship with their father like? (Why do you think Scout calls her Dad Atticus?)
7) Describe the tone used in the novel so far. (Remember what you learned about tone in the Elements of a Novel Powerpoint)
(From Deeper Reading p.117 by Kelly Gallagher)
Step 10: Here are some strategies you should use as you read, to help your comprehension. Go to this link to access Reading Comprehension Bookmarks:
Comprehension_Bookmarks_6-7-8[1].pdf
Step 11: Use the strategies listed on the bookmarks as you read:
Make Connections, Synthesize, Ask Questions, Repair Comprehension, Monitor Comprehension, Visualize and Determine Importance
Step 12: Ch. 4 Making Connections: Answer the following questions in your Readers Notebook:
1) You have been introduced to Jem, Scout, and Boo Radley. Do any of these characters remind you of someone in your own life?
2) Name another book or movie that is similar to To Kill A Mockingbird in some way. Explain the similarities.
Step 13: Ch. 5 and 6: Visualize: As you read these two chapters, try to create pictures in your mind as you read. Think of it as your own movie version of the book going on in your head. Then answer these questions in your Readers Notebook:
1) Describe or draw the picture you have in your head of the Radley house.
2) Describe or draw Jem and Scout - what do they look like?
3) Describe what Boo Radley looks like, and draw a picture of Boo Radley or find a photograph online of someone who looks like Boo Radley and insert it in your Readers Notebook.
Step 14: Ch. 7 and 8: Determine importance:
Answer this question in your Readers Notebook.
1) After reading Ch. 7 and 8, list some important changes in the way Jem and Scout are viewing Boo Radley.