Grade 7 Novel Study

1. Grade 7Novel Study • The Crazy Man • by Pamela Porter

2. The Crazy Man • Reasons why this is a great book to do a Novel study with: • Quick read • Style of writing (free verse) • Great themes/issues explored • Literary devices all throughout • 1st person narrative • A great story with a Canadian setting • Great visual imagery

3. The Crazy Man • Without reading the ‘blurb’ on the back cover, please make a prediction about what this novel will be about. • Write your answer in your Novel Study scribbler. • (Perhaps some clues on the cover or the title itself might give you some inspiration/ideas.)

4. The Crazy ManQuestions for discussion... • Who is narrating the story? • Why would a writer choose a free verse style to write a story like this? • Is this style easier to read or harder? (Always support your opinion with reasons.) • As we read this novel, I want you to be on the lookout for common literary devices which we’ll be learning about.

5. The Crazy Man • Tasks: To be completed in class and then finished at home if necessary. Please complete in booklet form, with a cover page (that includes your name, novel name, illustration, due date, etc.) • 1. Select any two of the many visually descriptive passages from the novel and draw a picture to represent each. Be sure to include the caption under the picture. (white paper provided) • 2.Find examples in the novel of the common literary devices we have been examining. (When you find one, copy the section of text and tell what it is an example of.) • 3.Make two lists. One list will include the things Emaline knew about her Dad and the other will include what she knew about Angus the ‘Crazy man’.

6. The Crazy Man • Complete the following in your Novel Study scribbler during the class time provided. • 4. Was Angus crazy? (Explain your answer!) • 5. What would you have done with Harry if you were the judge? • 6. Write a 1 paragraph response to the novel. (In-Class) • - proper paragraph structure… • - do not Retell… use the other 2 Rs (Relate, Reflect) • 7. Find 1 example from the text of what you would consider to be a ‘power’ sentence. Copy it. Why did you select it? • _________________________________ • Include #8 in your booklet!! • 8. What are some of the themes (issues/lessons) that were learned through the story about ‘The Crazy Man’? Describe a couple.(Don’t worry, we’ll discuss in class to help one another!) • * And, we can’t really fully answer this question until we finish the book.)

7. Assessment Due Date: T.B.D

8. The Crazy Man • Don’t judge by appearances • Angus • Emaline • Mei * This also raises the issue of stereotypes! • Joey • - Dad • Question 3 • Themes • Issues • Morals • Lessons • Adversity – bumps along life’s road that make us • stronger, build character. • issues of Abuse • abandonment issues • New Beginnings • - Mrs. T and every day is a fresh start • - old dog…. new dog • - one door closes, another opens • Mental Health issues – stereotypes • - how we treat others • - depression