Dear Student, During your junior high years at General Brown, you will be required to read 8 novels per school year. One novel and an accompanying project must be completed every 5 weeks. The Independent Reading assignment will count as a project in your average. If you do not have a project completed on time, a 0% grade will go in your average. In the past the book choice was limited to books found on the Accelerated Reader list in the library. However, you may now read any book of your choice for your project. This booklet will give you detailed instructions for each of the projects on the list. You may choose any project you like for each book. For example, you may want to try one of each, or you may only write poetry booklets for each of the novels you read. It is totally up to you. Please be advised the teachers listed below have the right to return a project to you if the criteria is not met. We expect the highest level of effort, neatness, and creativity. You may be asked to revise a project, so please do not wait until the last minute. Have Fun!!
Transcript
Dear Student, During your junior high years at General Brown, you will be required to read 8 novels per school year. One novel and an accompanying project must be completed every 5 weeks. The Independent Reading assignment will count as a project in your average. If you do not have a project completed on time, a 0% grade will go in your average. In the past the book choice was limited to books found on the Accelerated Reader list in the library. However, you may now read any book of your choice for your project. This booklet will give you detailed instructions for each of the projects on the list. You may choose any project you like for each book. For example, you may want to try one of each, or you may only write poetry booklets for each of the novels you read. It is totally up to you. Please be advised the teachers listed below have the right to return a project to you if the criteria is not met. We expect the highest level of effort, neatness, and creativity. You may be asked to revise a project, so please do not wait until the last minute.
Have Fun!!
Directions: You will be required to read two novels per quarter (eight for the entire school year) and complete a project based on the reading. Choose one of the following activities to complete after each novel. It will be your responsibility to complete this activity. Turn it in to your English teacher as soon as it is finished. OPTION 1: Accelerated Reader Test You will need to report to the library and complete an Accelerated Reader test based on your novel. BE SURE to check with your teacher or the librarian that the book you choose is an Accelerated Reader book. OPTION 2: Newspaper You are the editor for the local newspaper in your novel. Design a newsletter for the town. Include headlines, upcoming events, weather, sports, etc. that are relevant to the plot of the novel. You will need to use the template in the common folder to complete this task. Please see your teacher for more information. OPTION 3: Letter to the Author Write a letter to the author of the book. Ask him or her any questions you might have which were not answered in the book. You will need to use the template in the common folder to complete this task. Please see your teacher for more information. OPTION 4: Song Comparison Select a song you feel reflects the novel. You will need to print out the lyrics and write a journal entry. Your journal entry must answer the following questions: What is the overall message of the song? How does the song relate to the novel? OPTION 5: Mindbender Activity Compose fifteen questions from your novel. These questions should be “thought questions” - this means questions exploring the reasons behind the happenings, opinions, causes, effects, etc. The questions you create should be related to all elements of literature: plot, characterization, setting, and theme. Please include your answers to these questions. OPTION 6: Artwork Complete a piece of artwork related to the novel. You may wish to illustrate a scene, a character, or an event. You may make a collage, create a drawing or painting, take a photograph, or make a sculpture or piece of pottery. Use your imagination. Give a brief explanation of what the artwork represents in relation to your novel. OPTION 7: Alternate Ending Write an alternative ending for the book. You will want to attempt to mimic the author’s style of writing. OPTION 8: Design New Book Cover Design a new front and back cover for the novel. On the back cover include a brief overview of the book that would “sell” it to readers. You may use the computer to create the book cover. OPTION 9: Poetry Packet Construct a poetry portfolio in which you include at least five original poems that relate to any element of the novel (plot, themes, and characters). Design a cover for your poetry book and place each poem on a separate page. OPTION 10: Characterization of Protagonist Complete the characterization map for the protagonist in your novel. You will need to use the template in the common folder to complete this task. Please see your teacher for more information.
Accelerated Reader Test There are approximately 1142 books in the library that are considered “Accelerated Reader” books. These books have a computer generated test to assess how well you read the book. ** FYI ** Not every book in the library is an Accelerated Reader book so you MUST check the computer, check with the librarian, or check with your English teacher to make sure the book you chose has a AR test. The AR tests can be taken in the library or in your English classrooms. Please see your teacher for a pass when you have completed the novel.
Newspaper You are the editor for the local newspaper in your novel. Your task is to create the front page of the newspaper for the town in the novel. You will need to include headlines (major events in the story), upcoming events, weather, sports, etc that are relevant to the plot of the novel. You will need to use the assigned template to complete this project. There is sample on the next page. This must be typed and not handwritten. Follow the instructions below: 1. Open the Home Directory on the desktop. 2. Double click on the Common folder. 3. Double click on the Independent Reading folder. 4. Double click on the file “Newspaper Template”. 5. Immediately click “Save as”. 6. Choose to save this page in your folder in the home directory.
USE THE GUIDELINES BELOW TO COMPLETE THE NEWSPAPER! 1 = Create a title for your newspaper (should relate to the novel).
2 = Headline for the lead story - the major issue in the entire book.
3 = Write an article about the above headline. The writing needs to fill all of the columns.
4 = List the characters in your story, and write one word to describe each one.
5 = One picture relating to your lead story. You may use clip art or a picture from the Internet.
MAKE SURE I CAN TELL WHAT THE PICTURE IS SUPPOSED TO BE!!
6 = Write a caption for your picture (what is happening?).
7 = Headline for the secondary story - this story should connect to one of the characters.
8 = Write an article about the headline above. The writing needs to fill all of the columns.
9 = What other pieces will the reader expect to see in your newspaper? Be creative - gossip
column, sports, restaurant review, weather, classifieds, horoscope, etc.
Newsletter Date
Volume 1, Issue 1
Your Name Book Title
2. Lead Story Headline
7. Secondary Story Headline
3.
8.
Inside this issue:
Inside Story 2
Inside Story 2
Inside Story 2
Inside Story 3
Inside Story 4
Inside Story 5
Inside Story 6
1. Newsletter Title
Caption describing picture or graphic.
Character One-word description
4.
9.
5.
6.
4 3 2 1
Requirements All of the required content was
present.
Almost all of the required content
was present.
At least 75% of the required content
was present.
Less than 75% of the required
content is present.
Graphics Graphics are in focus, are
well-cropped and are clearly related
to the articles they accompany. The caption supports
the graphic.
Graphics are in focus and are
clearly related to the articles they accompany. The
caption somewhat supports the
graphic.
Graphics are in Focus, but the
caption does not relate.
Graphics are not in focus, and the
caption does not relate or is not
present.
Layout All articles have headlines that capture the
reader’s attention and accurately
describe the content.
All articles have headlines that
accurately describe the
content.
Most articles have headlines that
accurately describe the
content.
Articles do not have adequate
headlines.
Conventions No spelling or grammar errors in
the newspaper.
No more than 3 spelling or
grammar errors in the newspaper.
No more than 5 spelling or
grammar errors in the newspaper.
More than 5 spelling or
grammar errors remain in the final
copy of the newspaper.
Novel Concept All articles relate to the novel and the
characters.
The articles relate to the novel and the characters,
but are lacking in depth.
One of the articles does not relate to
the novel of the characters.
Both articles do not relate to the
novel or the characters.
Name: ______________________ Period: __________________ Book Title: ___________________________ Score/Comments:
Letter to the Author Write a letter to the author of the novel. Ask him or her any questions you might have which were not answered in the book. For example, you may want to know if any characters were based on real-life people. Tell the author your opinion of the book. It is important that you sound sincere when writing your letter. The author wants to hear the “real” you and how you think and feel about their work. You should use proper English and no slang. Be sure to have an introduction and a conclusion along with the body of the letter. You will need to use the assigned template to complete this project. There is sample below. This must be typed and not handwritten. Follow the instructions below: 1. Open the Home Directory on the desktop. 2. Double click on the Common folder. 3. Double click on the Independent Reading folder. 4. Double click on the file “Letter to Author Template”. 5. Immediately click “Save as” 6. Choose to save this page in your folder in the home directory.
Song Comparison Select a song you feel reflects the novel. The entire song does not need to relate but a major portion of the song needs to connect to the novel or a character. SONG MUST BE SCHOOL APPROPRIATE AND MUST NOT CONTAIN PROFANITY!! You will need to print out the lyrics for the song you have chosen. Some websites that have lyrics are: www.azlyrics.com www.elyrics.com You will need to write a journal entry connecting the song and the novel. The journal entry needs to be typed, double spaced, size 12 font and at least 200 words. You may choose any font style that you like, but it must be easy to read. You will need to answer the following questions in your journal entry: 1. What is the overall message of the song? — What is the artist trying to say? — How does the song make you feel? — What is it about the song that made you pick it? 2. How does the song relate to the novel? — Choose several line(s) from the song and connect them to some element of the book. — How does the overall message of the song connect to the novel?
Mindbender Activity Compose 15 questions relating to the novel. These questions should be “thought” questions. The questions you create should relate to all elements of litereature - plot, characterization, vocabulary, setting and theme. Use your knowledge of the cognitive process questions we discussed at the beginning of the year. Think Bellringers!!! — recall — vocabulary — summarize — classify — infer You may vary the question set up. For example, you may have some multiple choice questions, True/False, complete the sentence, or short-answer responses. You must include an answer key for your questions. This needs to be two separate documents. Please do NOT circle the answers on your question sheet.
4 3 2 1
Requirements All of the required content was
present.
Almost all of the required content
was present.
At least 75% of the required content
was present.
Less than 75% of the required
content is present.
Lyrics Lyrics are present and are legible.
Lyrics are not present or cannot
be read.
Journal Entry The author chose strong lines and
clearly connected them to the novel.
The author chose lines and
connected them to the novel.
The author choice of lines was
unclear and/or does not connect them to the novel.
The author did not select lines to connect to the
novel.
Conventions No spelling or grammar errors in the journal entry.
No more than 3 spelling or
grammar errors in the journal entry.
No more than 5 spelling or
grammar errors in the journal entry.
More than 5 spelling or
grammar errors remain in the final
copy of the Journal entry.
Novel Concept The selected song has a strong
connection to the novel.
The selected song has a mediocre
connection to the novel.
The selected song has a weak
connection to the novel.
The selected song could not be
connected to the novel.
Name: ______________________ Period: __________________ Book Title: ____________________________________________________ Score/Comments:
Artwork Create a piece of artwork related to the novel you read. There are several options you can choose from. Your artwork cannot be larger than an 8x10 piece of paper. 1. Illustrate a scene, character, event — this should be a full page of color - no white sections unless relevant to the scene — no stick figures THIS HAS TO BE YOUR WORK—NOT COPIED FROM THE INTERNET!!! 2. Collage — a collection of images or words relating to the events and characters in the novel — NO WHITE SPACE ~ the entire page must be covered USE MAGAZINE CUTOUTS - NOT A BUNCH OF BLACK AND WHITE PICS FROM THE INTERNET 3. Photograph — You will need to take a picture of something/someone that connects to your novel — Picture should be no larger than 4x6 TAKEN WITH YOUR CAMERA 4. Sculpture/Pottery — create a sculpture out of clay or any material — design must be related to the novel Explanation: The artwork that you choose to complete will need to be submitted with an explanation of what the artwork represents in relation to the novel.
Alternate Ending Write an alternate ending for the novel. Use the author’s style of writing to keep it flowing with the book. The option must be typed, double spaced, and size 12 font. You may choose any font style but make sure it is easy to read!
**Points to remember** * Use the author’s writing style
* Length should be similar to the other chapters in the book
* Characters should be represented accurately
* Final copy should be neat and readable
4 3 2 1
Visual Concept
x2
Visual concept (looks) is
beautifully communicated.
Visual concept is neat, whole and
complete.
Visual concept is evident and conveyed
reasonably well.
Visual concept is uncertain or
vague.
Creativity Shows unique imagination or elegant design.
Well thought out design. Original
approach.
Shows some elements of good
design and personal
expression.
Imagination is lacking and the
design is not well thought out.
Conventions No spelling or grammar errors in
the artwork explanation.
No more than 3 spelling or
grammar errors in the artwork explanation.
No more than 5 spelling or
grammar errors in the artwork explanation.
More than 5 spelling or
grammar errors remain in the
artwork explanation.
Novel Concept Artwork relates to the novel and the
characters.
Artwork relates to the novel and the
characters but are lacking in depth.
Artwork has nothing to do with
the book.
Name: ______________________ Period: __________________ Book Title: ___________________________ Score/Comments:
New Book Cover You have been hired by the author to design a new book cover to increase sales of this book. You MUST have the following requirements on each page. FRONT: Title of the book (underlined or italics) Picture relating to the novel Author’s name BACK: Summary of the story (in your own words) Publishing company name (you create one) Customer reviews (at least 2)
This can be computer generated or hand drawn.
DO NOT LEAVE WHITE SPACE ON THE PAPER!!
Poetry Packet Construct a poetry portfolio with at least 5 poems relating to the novel. The portfolio needs to include Cover: Your name Book Title Author’s name Graphic 5 poems: Poems can be - free verse - haiku* - acrostic* - limerick* - rhyming * Do not include more than two types of these poems.
THIS NEEDS TO BE YOUR OWN WORK. DO NOT COPY
PICTURES OR OTHER COVERS FROM THE
INTERNET.
4 3 2 1
Balance Images go well with the text and there is a
good balance of text and images.
Images go well with the text,
but there are so many that they distract from
the text.
Images go well with the text,
but there are too few, and the book cover seems text
heavy.
Images do not go with the
accompanying text.
Creativity The text and images used on the book cover
reflect an exceptional degree of student
creativity in their creation.
Some of the text and images used
on the book cover
reflect student creativity in their
creation.
The text and images used on the book cover are lacking in
creativity.
Difficult to visualize image
or emotion.
Attractiveness The book cover is exceptionally attractive in
terms of design, layout, and neatness.
The book cover is attractive in
terms of design, layout, and neatness.
The book cover is acceptably attractive
though it may be a bit messy.
The book cover is distractingly
messy or very poorly designed.
It is not attractive.
Conventions No spelling or grammar errors
in the book cover.
No more than 3 spelling or
grammar errors in the book
cover.
No more than 5 spelling or
grammar errors in the book
cover.
More than 5 spelling or
grammar errors remain in the
final copy of the book cover.
Novel Concept All text and images are
related to the book’s topic.
Most of the text and images are related to the book’s topic.
Either the text or the image does
not relate to the book’s topic.
Neither the text or the image relates to the book’s topic.
Name: ______________________ Period: __________________ Book Title: _____________________________________________________ Score/Comments:
Characterization of Protagonist Complete the characterization map for the protagonist in the novel. The protagonist is the character with which the reader most identifies (we know their thoughts, feelings, actions, etc.) You will need to use the assigned template to complete this project. There is sample on the next page. You MUST print out the characterization worksheet and write in your answers. Follow the instructions below: 1. Open the Home Directory on the desktop. 2. Double click on the Common folder. 3. Double click on the Independent Reading folder. 4. Double click on the file “Characterization Template”. 5. Immediately click “Print”. Hair - This is what the character is thinking about during the novel. The character’s thoughts will change but record five of them. Bubble - This is something that the character says in the novel. It needs to be in quotation marks in the novel to be considered for the “bubble”. Fingers - List ten things that the character does in the novel. These can be simple or complicated. Heart - What is important to the character? What does the character believe in? Ribbon - Think of what the character is good at…..physically, mentally, emotionally. Circle at the ankle - Choose the weakness that has the greatest impact on the character. Foot - What is going to happen to the character now that the book is over? The author may actually tell you or you may have to make a prediction.
Ribbon - something the character is good at
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Directions: Fill in the characterization sheet based on the protagonist in your novel. Book Title: Character’s Name:
Hair - 5 thoughts of the character 1. _______________________________________
2. _______________________________________
3. _______________________________________
4. _______________________________________
5. _______________________________________
Bubble - quote by character ___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
________________
Fingers - accomplishments of the character 1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
4. ___________________________________
5. ___________________________________
6. ___________________________________
7. ___________________________________
8. ___________________________________
9. ___________________________________
10. ___________________________________
Heart - Beliefs or values __________________
____________________________________
__________________
Circle at the ankle - weakness of the character _____________________________________
