We tried this yesterday and had tons of fun!
Book Tasting
Explanation: You are
invited to sample a variety of anthologies as a way to introduce you to diverse
literary works. The twin goals of a book tasting are to introduce students to a
variety of terrific books, stories, poems, and essays and to start students on
the road to self selection.
Steps:
1. Discussion--compare a box of chocolates to a selection of books. How are the two alike? Different?
Both are full of potential pleasures.
Steps:
1. Discussion--compare a box of chocolates to a selection of books. How are the two alike? Different?
Both are full of potential pleasures.
There are different
flavors/types of chocolates just as there are different genres of novels--and
most people have their favorites.
There are recognized
"classics" in both.
When comparing
individual chocolates to individual books, one finds that some chocolates/books
are straightforward and uncomplicated--others are layered and complex--often
praised by critics/gourmets and may be an acquired taste.
Some of the most
common or popular flavors/genres fulfill our expectations.
Others, harder to
categorize, surprise us)
2. Compare how you approach making a selection from a box of chocolates versus a group of books.
2. Compare how you approach making a selection from a box of chocolates versus a group of books.
Most people agree
that when approaching a box of chocolates we select the one that looks best,
based on our previous experience.
We might do the same
thing with a selection of books--looking at back or inside cover, the title,
the picture on the front, the author's name.
We might figure out
what type of book it is and, based on this, have some expectations of what the
book will be like.
Some boxes of
chocolates have a "key" on the inside lid, dramatizing the metaphor
that we judge more than books by their covers.
But we really don't
know what we're going to get--until we bite in (start reading).
3. Select a book and a chocolate. Read a section of at least three self-selected books and then answer basic questions about each one--
a. What kind of book is this?
b. What does it look like it is going to be about?
c. What do you expect will happen next?
d. Do you want to read further? Why or why not?
4. Based on the works chosen to sample, select a work and join a literature study circle focused on a common theme, genre, etc. Then discuss the different ways your books approach that theme or fit in that genre in a collaborative exploration of the significance of these similarities and differences.
3. Select a book and a chocolate. Read a section of at least three self-selected books and then answer basic questions about each one--
a. What kind of book is this?
b. What does it look like it is going to be about?
c. What do you expect will happen next?
d. Do you want to read further? Why or why not?
4. Based on the works chosen to sample, select a work and join a literature study circle focused on a common theme, genre, etc. Then discuss the different ways your books approach that theme or fit in that genre in a collaborative exploration of the significance of these similarities and differences.