When I taught 7th graders, I LOVED having students write a whole-class novel throughout the year/semester by picking up where their peers left off, building characters' story arches, creating rising action and falling action, and resolving conflict. Not only did this year/semester long activity help students to recognize basic plot elements, but it helped them better understand characterization, types of conflict, and literary elements. The best part? Students couldn't wait for their turn to wri