Thursday, June 18, 2020

One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn Novel Study

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This bundle of activities is for the novel One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn -- a historical fiction AND paranormal book that should be quite popular with your students. 

The set includes the chapter questions and flipbook of literary elements.



Chapter Questions:

 There is a question for each chapter of the book, for a total of 25 questions.

-The questions are a mixture of higher level thinking questions and are intended to be short answer, with one or two paragraphs for each response. They are NOT multiple choice, and would NOT be as helpful for a quick check for understanding.

In this resource, you will find three version of the questions. Use the directions included to pull out the version you need.

1. Printable version - student packet with a cover sheet and three questions on each page. Lines for each answer.

2. Student questions with no lines. Teachers or students can add text boxes to the PDF for typing if your technology allows that.

3. The entire list of questions on just three pages so that students could write their answers in a reading journal they already have or type their answers separately and submit them electronically.

-For each question there is also a model answer included in the file. While answers may vary in your classroom, these sample pieces would be a good place to start, especially if you are leading a class discussion.

Click on photos for more info.


Topics include:

Comparing and contrasting characters, settings, situations, etc.

Descriptions, processes, details from history.

Changes, motivations, and being in a character's shoes.

Summarizing, positives and negatives, and unknowns.

Designing a better solution, and point of view.


Students can write on the pages, type on a computer, or write in a journal.  Lots of flexibility!!


Flipbook of Literary Elements:

This FLIP BOOK is for One for Sorrow. Use it as an on-going check for literary understanding, an end of the unit assessment, or a simple book report. Great for Literature Circles.

-You should be able to print this out, fold, and go. No cutting necessary. Save paper!! (Black and white version also included to save on ink.) Includes directions if you need help folding. 

Click on photos for more info.

Each panel discusses a different literary element.

-Characters – Who are the main ones and then choose one to dig a little deeper.

-Setting – Thinking about the time and the place, describe two different settings from the book and decide if the setting influences other elements.

-Conflict – Character vs Character, Character vs Nature, Character vs Self, and Character vs Society.

-Summary – Using the Somebody Wanted But So Then technique, summarize this novel.

-Theme – What is the topic of our book? How is that different than the theme?

-Also places for some sketches or drawings, just to keep it interesting.


This entire bundle would be perfect for something spooky to read or a unit on paranormal stories.