Novel HyperDocs: 25 ready to use units for your class

Ed Tech

Ed Tech | Monday, April 6, 2020

Novel HyperDocs: 25 ready to use units for your class

Novel HyperDocs: 25 Ready to Use Units for your class Icon

Novel HyperDocs take the old curriculum guides we know and turn them into engaging blended learning units of study. Here are 25 ready to use novel HyperDocs for your class.

Karly Moura headshot

This post is written by Karly Moura, a former technology TOSA teacher and Computer Science teacher in California. Karly currently works full time as the Social Media and Blog Editor at Ditch That Textbook. You can connect with Karly on Twitter/X @KarlyMoura

Novel HyperDocs are the brainchild of Heather Marshall when, after discovering HyperDocs (created byLisa HighfillKelly Hilton, and Sarah Landis), she decided to ditch the whole class novel and create interactive HyperDocs filled with paired texts, engaging media and interactive activities. 

Back in 2015, Heather shared her Novel HyperDoc for The One and Only Ivan which she created for her middle school English students. She shared this amazing resource for free through Twitter using the hashtag #TsGiveTs which promotes and supports teachers sharing resources with one another for free. Since then many others, including myself, have created and shared novel HyperDocs to use with grades ranging from 2-12. Like Heather's these units are completely free and filled with tons of resources to guide you and your students through a literary journey. 

The  novel HyperDoc ripple effect.

The best thing about the HyperDoc community is that they not only share their resources for free but they also encourage others to take their work and reimagine it to create something new. As you look at the novel HyperDocs below you will notice that most have a page at the end where they credit the original creators of the HyperDoc they modified. Many have also used this novel HyperDoc template that Sean Fahey,  Michele Waggoner and I created and shared as the foundation for their own novel HyperDoc. If you feel inspired to create your own HyperDoc using the template or another HyperDoc as a guide be sure to credit the original creator and share it with others through @TsGiveTs.

Using these novel HyperDocs with your class.

These HyperDocs are listed in order of growing text complexity. Use our quick navigation to skip directly to any title. Click on the "link to HyperDoc" button to preview any of the novel HyperDocs and then click the "use template" button to grab your own version that will be automagically saved to your Google Drive! 

The One and Only Ivan HyperDocs Template

Be sure to check all of the links within the unit and create new ones if needed. For example if a Google Form, a Flipgrid  topic or Padlet is linked you will want to create your own and add it in before assigning to students.

25+ novel HyperDocs to use with your class

Below are some of the best novel HyperDocs shared through Twitter and Teacher Give Teachers. However, there are a lot more out there with new resources being created all of the time. Check out this continuously growing Padlet that includes those listed below plus more

1. Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe

A novel HyperDoc created for the 2017 Global Read Aloud Project for the book Fenway and Hattie. Includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis and more. A teacher's guide is also included for extra help when using this resource with your class.

Novel HyperDoc created by Bobbi Hopkins

2. A Boy Called BAT by Elena K. Arnold

The A Boy Called BAT novel HyperDoc was created for the 2018 Global Read Aloud Project. A dive into the big concepts of empathy and perseverance. Includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis, STEM challenges and a teacher's guide for extra help when using this resource with your class. Bobbi has also recreated these activities on Seesaw to make it even easier to use with lower grade levels.

Novel HyperDoc created by Bobbi Hopkins

3. Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say novel HyperDoc created for the 2019 Global Read Aloud Project for the book takes a dive into the big concepts of self-acceptance, friendship, and conquering fears or worries. Includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis, STEM challenges and a teacher's guide for extra help when using this resource with your class. Bobbi has also recreated these activities on Seesaw to make it even easier to use with lower grade levels.

Novel HyperDoc created by Bobbi Hopkins

4. The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catting

A student favorite, The Chocolate Touch, is a fun twist on The Midas Touch that kids enjoy reading. This novel HyperDoc focuses on determining the central message of the text, shades of meaning and asking and answering questions. Includes vocabulary study, extension activities and a teacher's guide.

Novel HyperDoc created by  Olivia Ford & Michelle Waggoner

5. The BFG by Roald Dahl

A unit of study  around "Giant" concepts like context clues, retelling main events and identifying theme in The BFG. Includes vocabulary study, paired media, extension activities a teacher's guide and more.

Novel HyperDoc created by Sean Fahey Michele Waggoner

6. The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

The Lemonade War is a packed with opportunities for integration of math concepts and financial literacy. This novel HyperDoc focuses on big concepts like summarizing and drawing inferences. Once again there are lots of extension activities, vocabulary study and a teacher's guide included.

Novel HyperDoc created by Sean Fahey, Karly Moura Michele Waggoner

7. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

From the beloved author Judy Blume this novel HyperDoc follows the fun adventures of Peter and Fudge with fun extension activities the integrate engineering challenges with paired media. Students will describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text. This novel HyperDoc also includes a teacher's guide. 

Novel HyperDoc created by Sean Fahey, Karly Moura Michele Waggoner

8. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

A classic novel like Island of the Blue Dolphins can come alive with activities that utilize technology like Google Maps and videos. Students will learn about figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification, etc.) in context and differentiating between internal and external conflicts. This novel HyperDoc also includes a teacher's guide.

Novel HyperDoc created by Michele Waggoner and Laurie York

9. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

A novel HyperDoc created for the 2017 Global Read Aloud Project for the book The Wild Robot. The big concepts center around answering the question "How are characters transformed through their relationships with others?" Includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis, STEM challenges and more. A teacher's guide is also included for extra help when using this resource with your class. Two versions of this HyperDoc were created for use with multiple grade levels.

Novel HyperDocs created by Sean FaheyKarly Moura Michele WaggonerHeather Marshall

10. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder is a beautiful book about a boy with severely deformed facial features starting public school in 5th grade after being homeschooled. This novel HyperDoc focuses on the universal theme of relationships and asks students to answer the question "How are relationships affected by acts of kindness or a lack thereof? Includes a teacher's guide and the option to teach the book through literature circles. 

Novel HyperDoc created by Michelle Waggoner

11. Restart by Gordon Korman

This Restart novel HyperDoc dives into the big concepts of kindness and reflection. Includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis, STEM challenges and a teacher's guide for extra help when using this resource with your class.

Novel HyperDoc created by Rayna Freedman

12. Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Pax is a novel HyperDoc created for the 2016 Global Read Aloud Project. The big idea is that fiction is an invented literary narrative based on real life, an author's imagination, or a combination of the two, which can express universal truths and insights into the human condition. Includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis, and teacher's guide.

13. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan novel HyperDoc centers activities and analysis centers around the questions: 

"How are characters transformed through their relationships with others?"
"What are the responsibilities of the individual / society in regard to animals and their environments? "
"With wild habitats disappearing worldwide, what role (if any) should zoos have in the conservation of endangered species, research and education?"
"What does it mean to live in an unnatural environment? Do humans live in unnatural environments?"

Includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis, extension activities and teacher's guide.

Novel HyperDoc created by Heather Marshall

14. Bud, Not Buddy

A unit of study  around big concepts like point of view and comparing and contrasting experiencing a story through different mediums. This Bud, Not Buddy  novel HyperDoc includes vocabulary study, paired media, and extension activities.

Novel HyperDoc created by Kelley Brown

15. Front Desk by Kelly Yang

A novel HyperDoc created for the 2017 Global Read Aloud Project for the book  Front Desk. Includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis and and lots of cultural connections that help the reader engage with the story and its characters.

Novel HyperDoc created by Liz Stroud 

16. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

The Novel HyperDoc for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief takes students on a character study and dives deeper into the world of Greek mythology. 


Novel HyperDoc created by Erica Stianchi, inspired by Heather Marshall’s original creation.

17. A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

This A Long Walk to Water novel HyperDoc was created for the 2017 Global Read Aloud Project. A dive into the big concepts of sustainability, individual impact on global issues and the impacts of war. Includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis, and guided discussion questions.

Novel HyperDoc created by Laura Conroy, Maddy La Voe, Christina Levey & Jennifer Wagner

18. The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett

The Diary of Anne Frank is a book most of us remember reading in school and if you teach it you might be looking for some updated resources to use with this novel. This novel HyperDoc includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis, and activities that utilize technology like Google Maps, social media and videos.

Novel HyperDoc created by Kevin Feramisco

19. Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

In this unit, Amal Unbound, students are asked the essential question: What does it take to create change? This novel HyperDoc includes vocabulary study, paired media, literary analysis, and lots of cultural connections that help the reader engage with the story and its characters.

Novel HyperDoc created by Samira Khan

20. The Giver by Lois Lowry

As students read, The Giver, they will explore using text evidence to support inferences, determining the theme, figurative language and character analysis.

Guiding questions include; 

What does it mean to be “perfect”?

Does your identity come from your outward appearance or your inward person?

What would life be like without free will?

How important really is the freedom to choose?

Novel HyperDoc created by Kevin Feramisco

21. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

With lots of engaging activities like blogging, paired media and mini projects, this To Kill A Mockingbird novel HyperDoc will draw your students in as they journey through the book.

Novel HyperDoc created by Kendra Tyler

22. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders novel HyperDoc includes vocabulary study, paired media, and literary analysis as students journey through the book.

Guiding questions include; 

Are our judgements of others always accurate?

Are you more than what society thinks of you?

Does your identity come from your outward appearance or your inward person?

Should your joy be dependent upon your circumstance?

What does “family” mean to you?

Novel HyperDoc created by Kevin Feramisco

23. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 explores a world where books are illegal. As students read the story they will explore the guiding questions;

What is the importance of literacy to a society?

Do we really need to think and read critically?

Who wins when a society’s people stop thinking and reading for itself?

What is censorship, how does it affect our society, and why should this topic be important to ALL of us?

Novel HyperDoc created by Kevin Feramisco

24. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

With lots of engaging activities like blogging, paired media and mini projects, this Catcher in the Rye novel HyperDoc will explore the topics of questioning authenticity, growing up and coming of age, belonging and isolation and teen mental health.

Novel HyperDoc created by Kevin Feramisco

25. Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Macbeth, a classic play written by Shakespeare, has been chosen literature for high school students for years. This engaging unit explores questions like;

In what ways do we let others influence us?

How much control do we have over our own lives, choices, and actions? Are we victims of Fate or do we have Free Will?

What drives individuals to succeed?

Can violence ever be justified?

Novel HyperDoc created by Kevin Feramisco

Novel HyperDocs & book studies for equitable teaching

A Collection of HyperDocs for anti-racist instruction

When students OR teachers dig into a meaningful book, it can change their view of the world. With HyperDocs, you can craft those experiences for maximum impact. Nadia Razi has facilitated book studies with courageous conversations and you can, too.

HyperDocs created by Nadia Razi

BONUS

The Short Story HyperDoc Grades 6+

In this HyperDoc students utilize the short stories they watch as mentor texts then are challenged to create their own original short story modeling/using the narrative elements they learned in this unit. This version is geared towards middle school.

HyperDoc created by Kevin Feramisco

The Short Story HyperDoc Grade 10

A 10th grade version of the short story project. In this HyperDoc students utilize the short stories they watch as mentor texts then are challenged to create their own original short story modeling/using the narrative elements they learned in this unit.

HyperDoc created by Kevin Feramisco

Novel HyperDoc Template

If you have been inspired to create your own novel HyperDoc there is a template available to help you get started. Feel free to modify and change this template to make your own novel HyperDoc. Just keep the credits slide in your HyperDoc and of course consider sharing it with the Teachers Give Teachers community.

HyperDoc template created by  Sean FaheyKarly Moura Michele Waggoner 


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  • Eden says:

    I get that this website has a bunch of reading ones. But can y’all make a math one? Like fraction x fraction math? Thank you!

  • Shanda Davis says:

    Thank you so much for these amazing resources. The link for anti-racist instruction actually leads to Macbeth. Will that be updated?

  • […] ​25 Novel Hyperdocs – Karly Moura (@KarlyMoura) shared her collection of ELA hyperdocs over on the Ditch that Textbook blog. If you are doing a novel study, this is an awesome resource! […]

  • […] Wild Robot and A Boy Called Bat were GRA books from past years. Choose a book, a companion novel HyperDoc, get connected and get […]

  • […] You can even read the same novel and complete the same novel HyperDoc to spark conversation and reflection. (Check out Novel HyperDocs: 25 ready to use units for your class). […]

  • […] All the links and resources they need to complete the work are all on the site. You can find 25 ready to use Novel HyperDocs for your class in this […]

  • […] Novel HyperDocs: 25 ready to use units for your class – Ditch That Textbook […]

  • Olusola says:

    Thanks. This is enlightening. I’ll like to know more about hyper docs.

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