Looking for fun learning activities for the days leading up to Halloween? Check out the award-winning middle grade fantasy Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal and its companion Activity Book/Novel Study by Ryan Cowan. With 31 chapters and 31 days of standards-based activities — one for each day in October — this book set is designed to turn Halloween countdown into a month-long reading adventure. Enter to win signed copies and an exclusive t-shirt!
My Review:
Featuring excerpts from the novel, discussion prompts and open-ended questions based on academic standards and Bloom's Taxonomy, Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal: Activity Book/Novel Study is a carefully crafted companion book to Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal, which was reviewed here. Consisting of 31 lessons that correspond to 31 chapters of the novel, the activity book aims to help middle graders deepen their understanding of the story and its messages while sharpening their reading and writing skills.
Each lesson comes in the form of a set of reading comprehension exercises, which prompt students to read the novel closely, pay attention to details, make inferences, summarize main ideas, gather key information, understand the relationship between characters, and express their own opinions on relevant topics. As they try to complete these exercises, young readers learn to think logically, critically and creatively.
By focusing on open-ended questions, each reading comprehension exercise doubles as a writing exercise, which trains students to paraphrase the original narrative, organize their thoughts in writing, and provide details/evidence in support of their statements. The process of answering most of these questions is more or less similar to that of composing mini reaction essays. A considerable number of the questions actually teach about the art of writing fiction, encouraging young learners to explore how to build suspense, advance the plot, and use various literary techniques, by studying and analyzing examples from the novel.
As the perfect pair with the well-acclaimed Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal, the Activity Book/Novel Study offers a unique way to celebrate Halloween. The book set makes an excellent choice for homeschoolers, parents and educators looking to bring their middle schoolers' reading and writing skills to a whole new level.
About the Books:
Ages: 8-12 | 252 Pages
Publisher: For the Northern Star Publishing (2019) | ISBN-13: 979-8351181905 (Hardback) and 978-1097952779 (Paperback)
Elliott attends his third-grade class like any other boy, except that Elliott isn't like any other boy. Endowed with magical powers, Elliott belongs to a secret world called Moonstone—and trouble is brewing. When the evil witch Noir steals The Halloween Crystal, it's up to Elliott and his third-grade teacher, Mr. Moonbeam, to stop Noir from invading the non-magical world on Halloween night. But can Elliott learn to master his powers in time? Designed with 31 chapters so that parents, teachers, and students can read one chapter a day throughout the month of October!
Purchase Links: Amazon | Bookshop.org
Ages: 8-12 | 71 Pages
Publisher: For the Northern Star Publishing (2021) | ISBN-13: 979-8761758414
A Novel Study for Improving Reading Comprehension: This activity book includes a series of lessons designed to accompany the award-winning, middle grade book, Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal. The standards-based questions cover all levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and are appropriate for grades 3-5. Complete one lesson a day for 31 days leading up to Halloween!
Purchase links: Amazon | Teachers Pay Teachers
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