Novel Launch Slides 6th Grade ELA • Pre-Reading Launch Expedition Phase 01
NOVEL LAUNCHPAD
Before cracking open page one: explore your reader identity, unlock active comprehension tools, and choose your creative pre-reading project.
01. Identity
Who you are as a reader
02. Strategies
Active thinking tools
03. Connections
Bridges to real life
04. Creation
Your launch project
Pillar One • Self-Reflection
Your Reading Identity
Every strong reader brings unique habits, powers, and tastes to a new book.
1
Reading Habits
Where and when do you read best? Silence or background noise? Audio, physical pages, or digital text?
Know your reading conditions
2
Genre Sparks
What genres pull you in? Fantasy, survival, mystery, realistic fiction, or graphic storytelling?
Discover what grabs your attention
3
Strengths & Goals
What is your reading superpower? What is one reading challenge you want to tackle during this novel?
Set your personal target
Turn & Talk: Share your biggest reading strength and your biggest reading roadblock with a neighbor.
Pillar Two • Cognitive Toolkit
Read Like a Literary Detective
Active readers don't just stare at words—they run mental experiments on every page.
PREDICT (Clue Scouting)
Use the cover art, title, character names, and teaser synopsis to forecast what major conflicts will ignite.
QUESTION (Curiosity Engine)
Ask who, why, and what if! What secrets is the author keeping? Why did the character make that sudden choice?
INFER (Read Between Lines)
Combine text clues with your own background knowledge: Text Clue + My Knowledge = Real Meaning .
MONITOR (Fix-Up Signals)
Notice when the mental film strips stop rolling. Reread, visualize the scene, or pause to summarize confusing moments.
💡 Key Reminder: Confusion is not failure—it is the signal to deploy a reading tool!
Pillar Three • Meaning Making
The Three Connection Bridges
Stories stick when they hook into something you already know, feel, or remember.
Text-to-Self
My Story & Soul
Have you felt fear, courage, injustice, or pride like this character? What personal memory does this chapter trigger?
"That reminds me of when I..."
Text-to-Text
Echoes Across Stories
Does this plot twist, mentor figure, or setting remind you of another book, movie, comic, or mythology you have loved?
"This character is like..."
Text-to-World
Real-World Mirror
How does this novel reflect real history, community issues, fairness, science, or human nature in our world today?
"In real life, people also face..."
🎯 Golden Rule: Deep connections explain how the feeling or lesson changes your understanding! Go Beyond Surface-Level
Pillar Four • Book Readiness
The 4-Point Book Recon
Investigate the physical book before reading Chapter 1 to build critical anticipation.
A
Cover & Visual Clues
Inspect colors, lighting, symbols, and character portraits. What mood or atmosphere is the illustrator creating?
B
The Back Blurb Hook
Read the back cover synopsis. Who is the main character? What high stakes or dilemmas are they thrown into?
C
The First Line Probe
Read only the very first sentence of page one. Does it begin with action, mystery, setting, dialogue, or humor?
D
Author & Context Radar
Check the author's bio, dedication, or historical note. What real experience inspired them to write this novel?
🔍 Have your novel in hand! Record your discoveries in your Reader Readiness Portfolio.
Creative Pre-Reading Pathways
Student Project Menu
Select one creative project to complete before or during your initial novel launch.
Option 01
Reader's Passport
Design a personalized reader passport showcasing your habits, taste, and reading goals.
Option 02
Book Trailer Board
Create a 4-panel storyboard visualizing the dramatic book trailer for the upcoming novel.
Option 03
Prediction Capsule
Assemble 5 evidence-based predictions sealed in a written time capsule to open at the end.
Option 04
Connection Collage
Build a mini-collage connecting the novel's core themes to your real life and values.
Option 05
Strategy Survival Kit
Craft a visual pocket field guide with your customized reading fix-up tools.
Option 06
Protagonist Interview
Script an interview with the protagonist based on early clues before page one.
Review full requirements on your Project Choice Menu Handout . Which path speaks to you?
Action Protocol Classroom Workflow
Ready for Launch?
Here is your roadmap for today's pre-reading workshop:
1
Complete the Reader Readiness Portfolio: Log your reading habits & book clues.
2
Select 1 Creative Project: Fill out your Project Blueprint & Goal Contract.
3
Check the Rubric Guide: Ensure you hit the 4 core dimensions of excellence!
Expedition begins now. Happy reading! Let's Dive In 📖
Novel Projects Choice Menu 6th Grade ELA • Pre-Reading Expedition
NOVEL PROJECTS CHOICE MENU
Name: ___________________________
Date: ____________ Period: _____
Novel: __________________________
Your Mission: Before reading Chapter 1, select ONE creative project below to explore your reader identity, preview book clues, test comprehension tools, or build a personal connection.
Choose 1 of 6
Option 1 • Identity Personal Focus
Reader's Passport & Dossier
Design an official traveler's passport documenting your reading identity: favorite genres, ideal reading conditions, personal reading superpower, and 3 custom reading goals for this novel.
Deliverable: 4-page folded mini-booklet or digital passport card.
Option 2 • Readiness Visual Media
Cinematic Book Trailer Board
Using only the cover art, back-cover blurb, and first lines, pitch this book to a film producer. Create a 4-panel storyboard visualizing the dramatic opening scenes with voiceover lines and music cues.
Deliverable: 4-panel illustrated storyboard with audio/text script.
Option 3 • Comprehension Infer & Predict
Prediction Time Capsule
Draft 5 high-stakes predictions regarding the novel's central conflict, character secret, and turning point. For each, cite 1 specific clue from the cover or teaser text. Seal in a written "capsule" to open later!
Deliverable: Sealed artifact letter with evidence-based hypotheses.
Option 4 • Connection Text-to-Self
Theme & Life Collage
Identify the novel's core theme or challenge (e.g., courage, belonging, friendship, survival). Assemble a curated visual collage with 4 personal artifacts/sketches and a 150-word reflection connecting it to your life.
Deliverable: Visual collage sheet accompanied by connection essay.
Option 5 • Strategies Metacognition
Reading Strategy Survival Kit
Craft a pocket-sized field guide featuring your top 4 reading "fix-up" tools (e.g., context-clue decoding, mental movies, reread loops, question trees). Include custom icons and real examples of when to use each.
Deliverable: Illustrated pocket toolkit or tri-fold guide.
Option 6 • Questioning Roleplay & Voice
Protagonist Recon Interview
Act as an investigative reporter interviewing the main character the day before their story begins. Script 5 probing questions and inferred responses reflecting their personality, fears, and initial world.
Deliverable: Two-column scripted interview with character rationale.
MY PROJECT DECISION
Reader Readiness Portfolio 6th Grade ELA • Pre-Reading Dossier
READER READINESS PORTFOLIO
Name: ___________________________
Date: ____________ Period: _____
Novel: __________________________
Complete this two-page readiness investigation before reading Chapter 1. Use your honest self-reflection and physical inspection of the novel.
1 Part 1: Reading Identity & Habits Profile
Know Yourself as a Reader
My Optimal Reading Environment:
Total Silence Low Music / Beats Cozy Chair / Floor Upright Desk
My Reading Superpower (What I do best):
My Growth Frontier (What I want to improve):
2 Part 2: Book Reconnaissance & First Impressions
Investigate the Physical Book
Cover Clues: What symbols, imagery, or color choices catch your attention, and what mood do they signal?
First Sentence Probe: Copy the very first sentence of the novel. What does it reveal about tone, character, or setting?
Three Burning Questions: What are 3 things you are intensely curious to discover after reading the back blurb?
Reader Readiness Portfolio • Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Strategies & Connections →
Dossier Phase 2 • Strategy & Connection
COMPREHENSION & CONNECTION BRIDGE
Reader Readiness Portfolio • Page 2
3 Part 3: Comprehension Strategy Warm-Up
Predict • Infer • Monitor
Evidence-Based Prediction: What major problem or conflict do you forecast will happen by Chapter 3? Why?
Inferring the Theme: Based on the title and blurb, what big life lesson or universal topic is at the heart of this book?
Monitoring Toolkit: When I hit a confusing sentence, unfamiliar word, or lost train of thought, I will:
Strategy A:
Strategy B:
4 Part 4: Personal Text-to-Self Connection Bridge
Connecting Life to Literature
Lived Experience Link: Think about the protagonist's main dilemma. Describe a time you felt a similar emotion (e.g., courage, feeling out of place, pressure, determination):
Personal Values & Choices: If you were placed in the setting or world of this novel, what strength or value would help you navigate it?
My Novel Launch Pledge
Target Reading Pace: ______ pages / day • When I finish, I will reward myself by: _____________________
Student Signature: ______________________
Novel Project Rubric Guide Assessment & Reflection Guide
NOVEL PROJECT RUBRIC GUIDE
Student: ___________________________
Date: ____________ Period: _____
Project Option: ____________________
Use this rubric to guide your creative pre-reading project. Self-assess your work before submitting to your teacher.
Criteria 4 • Exemplary 3 • Proficient 2 • Developing 1 • Beginning Reading Identity & Self-Awareness Deep, honest insight into habits, genres, and stamina; sets ambitious, specific growth goals. Clear awareness of preferences and habits; establishes realistic personal reading goals. Basic identification of habits; goals are vague or general without specific strategies. Minimal reflection on reading identity; missing goal statements. Book Readiness & Evidence Scout Rich analysis of cover, blurb, and opening lines; cites 3+ distinct text clues supporting project. Accurate inspection of cover and synopsis; cites 2-3 clues to justify expectations. Surface-level book preview; mentions 1 clue with limited connection to project content. Little or no evidence of having previewed the novel's cover or teaser text. Comprehension Strategy Work Demonstrates sophisticated predicting, inferring, and a proactive plan for monitoring confusion. Applies predictions and inferences logically; identifies practical fix-up tools. Predictions are predictable; basic understanding of reading strategies shown. Strategies are misapplied or absent; lacks monitoring plan. Personal Connection & Craft Compelling text-to-self link showing how theme connects to personal values; creative, polished deliverable. Meaningful personal connection explained; project is complete, neat, and organized. Superficial connection ("I like it"); project lacks neatness, effort, or completeness. No personal connection established; project is incomplete or disorganized.
Student Self-Evaluation Check before turning in
I reflected honestly on my reading identity & stamina. I cited specific clues from the novel's cover or blurb. I explained how my project connects to my own life. My project is polished, creative, and fully realized.
My Estimated Score: _____ / 16 pts
Teacher Assessment Total: ____ / 16 pts
Glow (Strength): ____________________________________
_________________________________________________________
