Unit Plan Rough Draft - The Graveyard Book

 I chose The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman as the novel to cover for my unit plan. I think this book could be a lot of fun around Halloween for students. In my head, I am planning for this unit to happen in October and end just before Halloween. 

Week One: 

1. Read pages 1-99. 

2. Opener: What was your reaction to the opening of the story? 

3. Class discussion: How do we seen Bod's community starting to grow inside the graveyard? 

4. Closer: Would you rather be a ghoul causing mischief or a Hound of God helping others. 

Week Two: 

1. Read pages 99-174. 

2. Opener: Look at Danse Macabre art pieces. How do these connect to the story? Does that chapter make more sense after seeing the pieces? 

3. Class Discussion: We get to see more of a duality between life and death in Bod's life in these chapters. How do you think Bod being too alive for the dead, but too dead for the living will affect his relationships with both worlds? 

4. Closer: Introduce final essay or project.  

Week Three: 

1. Read pages 174-295.

2. Opener: What is the realization Bod makes when he says "I know my name […]. I am Nobody Owens. That’s who I am” (Gaiman 282)? 

3. Class Discussion: What is the significance of the song Mrs. Owens sings to Bod? Do you think Bod is ready to adjust to life among the living? Why? 

4. Closer: What topic are you going to do your final project on? 

Week Four: 

1. Work Day

2. Fun Halloween classroom activities.