A Year in the Life of A Complete and Total Genuis

A Year in the Life of A Complete and Total Genius

Stacy Matson

Publish date 2015

Grade 5

Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Reading Level: 810L

2 starred reviews:

“Arthur Bean, a highly self-confident Canadian seventh grader, chronicles his school year through entries in his reading journal, email exchanges, and writing assignments in this humorous coming-of-age novel, Matson’s debut.” – Publishers Weekly

“A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A COMPLETE AND TOTAL GENIUS is an enjoyable read and Arthur is a character that many middle grade readers will be able to relate to.”- KidsReads

Summary:  

`           A Year in the Life of A Complete and Total Genius, by Stacy Matson, follows Arthur Bean in his attempt to complete two goals he has set for himself. He wants to win the school writing contest and the heart of his crush, Kennedy. But he loses his mother in the midst of things. This is when Arthur makes a turn for the worst behavior wise. He becomes defiant, outrageous, and hilarious. The book takes a look at Arthur’s writing from an over his shoulder point of view. Even with everything going wrong around him, nothing can put him down or change his love for writing.

Description: Non-fiction

Suggested Delivery: Whole group, individual

Electronic Resources (2):

Pik To Chart

            This is a link to Pik to Chart. The students can use this to create a visual timeline using an interactive technology. This can be done as an after reading activity.

Reading Guide

            This is a link to a complete reading guide. This includes pre, during, and post reading activities and how they align with the Common Core State Standards. 

Vocabulary:

            Foibles – minor weakness

            Rancid – unpleasant smell

            Porridge – food made of oatmeal

            Blatant –  obvious

Conspiracy – superstitious

Doused – covered

Impertinent – intrusive person or actions

Muse – to think or meditate in silence on some subject

Overt -  open to view or knowledge

           

Teaching Suggestions:

·      Use this book to teach about writing

·      Use this book to teach about going through a rough time

·      Use this book to teach about friendship

Pre Reading:  Based on the title, what do students expect the book to be like? Will it be funny or serious? Now read the blurb on the back of the book to the class. What further information does it provide? Do they think the main character really is a “genius”? Why or why not?

During Reading: Students will be commenting on a Padlet that the teacher has set up about each chapter. The students should make at least one comment with a prediction, question, or comment about each chapter.

After Reading: There are four main ways in which an author develops a character: the physical description, what the character says, what the character does, and what others say about the character. Working as a class, create a character map of Arthur. How do the other characters view Arthur? What do their opinions say about themselves as characters? Using this exercise as a model, have each student create a map of one of the other characters. Come together as a class and have volunteers share their character maps. Which of the four categories provides the most important information about a given character? Does the style of the book make one category easier or more natural than the others?

Writing Activity: Arthur’s teacher Ms. Whitehead assigns many different writing projects over the course of the book. Working as a class, review the last page of the book and discuss the exercises listed there. Have each student select one of the assignments from Arthur’s class and complete it themselves, following the teacher’s instructions. Break students into pairs to share their work and revise it based on peer feedback before turning it in. Were any writing exercises chosen more than others? What reasons did students have for selecting the assignment they did?