Secrets, Suspense, and Survival: "The Lake" Novel Study

 Icebreaker: "Secrets Game" – Students share fun, harmless secrets (real or made up) to connect with the book’s theme.

Discussion: Introduce Esme and Kayla. What are your impressions of them? How does the camp setting add to the suspense?

Project: Design a visual map of the camp—where key events from the chapters are taking place.

Prediction Challenge: What secrets do you think the girls are hiding? Students write predictions to revisit later. 

 Discussion: Which characters are starting to act suspicious? How do their actions raise tension?

Project: Create character suspect profiles – Students make a profile of a character they suspect is hiding something (traits, clues, and motives).

Quick Debate: Is it better to confront a secret head-on or keep it hidden to protect others?

Hands-On Project: Start a timeline of events and mysteries, which will grow each week. 

 Discussion: How do Esme’s flashbacks contribute to the story? What new clues or red flags are emerging?

Project: Add new events to the timeline and highlight any red herrings (misleading clues).

Activity: "Detective Notes" – Students compile a list of open questions they still have about the characters and events.

Prediction Check: Any new predictions or changes to last week’s ideas? 

 Discussion: How are the friendships changing? What choices are making things worse?

Activity: Create a friendship web to show the relationships between characters and how they evolve.

Hands-On Project: Students work on alternative scenes—how would the story change if Esme or Kayla made different decisions?

Mini Poll: Who do you trust most so far? Who do you trust least?