Core Skills Analysis
English
- Will demonstrated understanding of character development by identifying how the protagonist’s motivations changed throughout The Ghostkeeper.
- Will explained the storyline’s structure, noting exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution, showing grasp of narrative arc.
- Will discussed character arcs, comparing the growth of the main character with secondary characters, indicating analytical thinking.
- Will used specific examples from the text to support his insights, meeting expectations for citing textual evidence.
Tips
Tips: Encourage Will to write a short alternative ending for The Ghostkeeper, focusing on how a different character decision would alter the arc; have him create a visual storyboard that maps the novel’s plot points and character transformations; organize a peer-led literature circle where students compare the ghost motif across different genres; and introduce a research project on folklore to deepen context for the novel’s supernatural elements.
Book Recommendations
- Coraline by Neil Gaiman: A dark fantasy about a brave girl navigating a parallel world, offering rich material for studying character growth and eerie atmosphere.
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman: Follows a boy raised by ghosts, blending supernatural themes with clear character arcs, perfect for comparative analysis.
- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness: Explores grief and imagination through a boy’s encounters with a tree monster, providing a modern look at character development.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6-8.3 – Analyze how character development and plot interact in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6-8.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they contribute to character and mood.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6-8.1 – Engage effectively in discussions, presenting insights with textual evidence.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-8.3 – Write narratives or reflections that develop experiences and events.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Plot diagram with sections for exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution for The Ghostkeeper.
- Writing Prompt: Draft a diary entry from the perspective of a secondary character at a pivotal moment in the story.