Blank Booklets
These booklets are my favorite projects. The idea is based on Hannelore
and Helmut Zehnpfennig's concept of
"Didaktik des weißen Blattes".
I have used this idea at all levels, from beginners to advanced
learners. The results are always stunning and much more interesting
than answers to teacher-created questions and tasks. They really show
how students have understood a novel or a topic in general.
The preparations and instructions are VERY simple:
Step one: Each student receives
a blank booklet consisting of 3 white A4 sheets folded and stapled
together like an A5 booklet. I usually use a colored sheet on the
outside but this is not really necessary. In some cases I copy the
title page of their book on the cover to get them started. You'll need
a long-arm stapler to produce these booklets.
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Step two: Ask the learners to
fill the booklet with anything that shows their understanding and
reaction to the book they have read.
I usually brainstorm with the class what this might mean. Students come
up with many of the ideas they know from their reading diaries and
presentations such as:
Creating their own title page, writing letters or postcards (from the
point of view of the characters or to one of the characters), maps
showing the settings of the story, travel brochures advertising
the places, diary pages, sociograms, plot diagrams, reviews for Amazon
etc.
Step three: When the booklets
are finished the students meet in their groups and share their
products. This step can be very interesting and learners see different
interpretations of the task and different reactions to the books.
Step four: Optional
Sometimes, if there is not enough time for a round of book
presentations I ask students to meet with 3 classmates who have read
different books and find the similarities and differences of their
novels. You might use worksheet ................ for this purpose.
Have a look at some of these booklets: