Structure (6–8 weeks)

Week 1: Orientation and Book Selection

• Welcome Session:
  • Overview of the program, objectives, and expectations.
  • Introduction to the competency being evaluated.
  • Presentation of book options (a curated list of non-fiction titles based on themes like history, science, technology, etc.).
  • Group discussion: What does it mean to critically analyze a text?
• Assignment:
  • Choose a book and submit a short rationale for your selection, considering how it might connect to themes and provoke critical thinking.
  • Set up an annotation method (digital tools like Hypothesis or sticky notes for physical books).

Weeks 2–3: Guided Reading, Annotations and Weekly Discussions

• Weekly Goals:
  • Read a designated section of the book (e.g., first third).
  • Annotate key passages to identify:
    • Themes and motifs.
    • Author’s purpose and rhetorical strategies.
    • Predictions and inferences based on evidence in the text.
  • Pose insightful questions related to the reading.
• Activities:
  • Passage Sharing:
    • Share one annotated passage per week in the group forum.
    • Explain:
      • How the passage reveals a theme or motif.
      • What it suggests about the author’s purpose.
      • Any inferences or predictions you made.
    • Vocabulary Building:
      • Contribute 2–3 new or challenging words from the reading to a shared vocabulary list. Include definitions and examples from the text.
    • Assignment:
      • Submit a 200-word reflection on the themes, motifs, or author’s purpose revealed in the section. Include one question you’d like the group to discuss.

Weeks 4–5: Deeper Analysis and Creative Exploration

• Weekly Goals:
  • Continue reading (middle sections of the book).
  • Deepen annotations by connecting recurring themes or motifs and expanding on the author’s purpose.
  • Track how the text supports or challenges your initial predictions and inferences.
• Activities:
  • Thematic Connections:
    • Participants identify connections between their book and other texts, real-world events, or personal experiences.
  • Passage Sharing:
    • Continue weekly passage sharing with added emphasis on evolving themes and predictions.
  • Vocabulary Expansion:
    • Continue contributing new words and provide examples of how they help understand the author’s ideas.
  • Creative Exploration:
    • Participants begin brainstorming and outlining their final projects. Examples include visual representations of motifs, essays exploring themes, or multimedia presentations of the author’s purpose.
  • Assignment:
    • Submit a rough outline of the final product, detailing how it demonstrates competency (e.g., analysis of themes, thoughtful predictions, or insightful questions).

Weeks 6–7: Final Products and Presentation Preparation

• Weekly Goals:
  • Complete the book and annotate final sections.
  • Synthesize themes, motifs, and author’s purpose across the text.
• Activities:
  • Peer Review:
    • Share drafts or ideas for final products in small groups for feedback on how effectively they demonstrate competency.
  • Presentation Workshop:
    • Tips for presenting analyses and creative projects.
    • Practice articulating how their projects align with competency.
  • Assignment:
    • Submit the final version of the project.

Week 8: Showcase and Reflection

• Showcase Session:
  • Participants present their projects and share annotated passages that highlight their analysis of themes, motifs, or the author’s purpose.
  • Discuss how their predictions and inferences evolved during the study.
• Reflection Activity:
  • Group discussion:
    • What insights did the book provide?
    • How did analyzing themes and motifs deepen your understanding?
  • Participants reflect on their progress in meeting the competency and identify areas for further growth.
  • Individual Reflection

Program Resources

• Reading Material: Access to eBooks or physical copies (participant responsibility).
• Annotation Tools: Options for digital (e.g., Hypothesis, Google Docs) or physical methods.
• Vocabulary List: A shared document (e.g., MS Teams or OneNote) for new terms and examples.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Participation:
   • Weekly annotations and passage sharing.
   • Contribution to group discussions and vocabulary building.
2. Final Product:
   • Demonstrates critical analysis of themes, motifs, and author’s purpose.
   • Shows thoughtful predictions, inferences, and questions.
3. Reflection Assignments: