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,
Mrs. Monroe English 7 English 8
Mrs. Hardwick English 7
Mrs. Streeter English 8
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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Open the Home Directory on the desktop. Double click on the Common folder. Double click on the Independent Reading folder. Double click on the file “Newspaper Template”. Immediately click “Save as”. 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,
Your Name Book Title
1. Newsletter Title
Volume 1, Issue 1 Newsletter Date
9. Inside this issue:
2. Lead Story Headline
5.
3.
Caption describing picture or graphic.
6.
Inside Story
2
Inside Story
2
Inside Story
2
Inside Story
3
Inside Story
4
Inside Story
5
Inside Story
6
4. Character
7. Secondary Story Headline 8.
One-word description
Name: ______________________ Period: __________________ Book Title: ___________________________ Score/Comments:
Requirements Graphics
Layout
Conventions
Novel Concept
4
3
All of the required content was present.
Almost all of the required content was present.
2
At least 75% of the Less than 75% of the required content was required present. content is present.
Graphics are in Graphics are in focus, are focus and are clearly well-cropped and are related to the articles clearly related to the they accompany. articles they accomThe caption somepany. The caption what supports the supports the graphic. 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.
All articles have headlines that capture the reader’s attention and accurately describe the content.
Most articles have headlines that accurately describe the content.
Articles do not have adequate headlines.
All articles have headlines that accurately describe the content.
No spelling or gram- No more than 3 spell- No more than 5 spellmar errors in the ing or ing or newspaper. grammar errors in the grammar errors in the newspaper. newspaper.
All articles relate to the novel and the characters.
The articles relate to the novel and the characters, but are lacking in depth.
Week 10
Week 15
More than 5 spelling or grammar errors remain in the final copy of the newspaper.
One of the articles Both articles do not does not relate to the relate to the novel or novel of the characthe ters. characters.
Teacher Use Only: Week 5
1
Week 20Week 25Week 30Week 35Week 40
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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Open the Home Directory on the desktop. Double click on the Common folder. Double click on the Independent Reading folder. Double click on the file “Letter to Author Template”. Immediately click “Save as” Choose to save this page in your folder in the home directory.
Date: __________________ Dear (insert author’s name), _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Sincerely,
(Your Name)
Name: __________________ Period: _________________ Book Title: ______________________ Score/Comments:
4
3
Ideas
Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion.
Ideas were expressed in a fairly clear manner, but the organization could have been better.
Format
Complies with all the requirements for a friendly letter.
Complies with almost all the requirements for a friendly letter.
Complies with several of the requirements for a friendly letter.
Complies with less than 50% of the requirements for a friendly letter.
Sentences
All sentences are complete, well-constructed, and of varied structure.
All sentences are complete and well-constructed.
Most sentences are complete and wellconstructed.
Many sentence fragments or run-on sentences.
Conventions
Novel Concept
2
Ideas were The letter seemed to somewhat be a collection of unorganized, but were related not very clear. It sentences. It was took more than one very difficult to reading to figure out figure out what the what the letter was letter was about. about.
No spelling or gram- No more than 3 spell- No more than 5 spellmar errors in the leting or ing or ter. grammar errors in the grammar errors in the letter. letter.
More than 5 spelling or grammar errors remain in the final copy of the letter.
Character and novel Character and novel information used information used throughout the whole through some of the letter. letter.
The letter does not connect to the novel or the characters.
Character and novel information hardly used in the letter.
Teacher Use Only: Week 5
Week 10
1
Week 15
Week 20Week 25Week 30Week 35Week 40
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.
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.
Name: ______________________
Period: __________________
Book Title: ____________________________________________________ Score/Comments:
4
3
2
1
Requirements
All of the required content was present.
Almost all of the re- At least 75% of the Less than 75% of the quired content was required content was required present. present. 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.
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.
The author choice of The author did not lines was select lines to unclear and/or does connect to the novel. not connect them to the novel.
Teacher Use Only: Week 5
Week 10
Week 15
Week 20Week 25Week 30Week 35Week 40
Name: ______________________ Period: _______________ Book Title: ________________________________________ Score/Comments: 4 Questions X2
3
All questions Almost all ques(15) are tions (11-14) are accurate and re- accurate and relate to the inforlate to the mation in the information in novel. the novel.
2
Most questions There are very (7-10) are few questions (6 accurate and/or or less) that are relate to the accurate or relate novel. to the novel.
Answer Key
A thorough and accurate answer key is provided.
No answer key is provided.
Conventions
No spelling or grammar errors in the activity.
No more than 3 spelling or grammar errors in the activity.
No more than 5 spelling or grammar errors in the activity.
Novel Concept
All questions relate to the novel and the characters.
Most questions relate to the novel and the characters but are lacking in depth.
Some of the Most of the questions do not questions DO relate to the NOT relate to novel and/or the the novel and/or characters. the characters.
Teacher Use Only: Week 5
1
Week 10
Week 15
Week 20Week 25Week 30Week 35Week 40
More than 5 spelling or grammar errors remain in the final copy of the activity.
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 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 3. Photograph — You will need to take a picture of something/someone that connects to your novel — Picture should be no larger than 4x6 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
Name: ______________________ Period: __________________ Book Title: ___________________________ Score/Comments:
Visual Concept x2
4
3
2
1
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.
Shows unique imagi- Well thought out deShows some nation or sign. Original elements of good deelegant design. approach. sign 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.
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.
Creativity
No more than 5 spelling or grammar errors in the artwork explanation.
One of the articles Both articles do not does not relate to the relate to the novel or novel of the characthe ters. characters.
Teacher Use Only: Week 5
Week 10
Week 15
Week 20Week 25Week 30Week 35Week 40
Name: ______________________ Period: __________________ Book Title: ___________________________ Score/Comments:
Organization
4
3
2
The story is very well organized. One idea or scene follows another in a logical sequence with clear transitions.
The story is pretty well organized. One idea or scene may seem out of place. Clear transitions are used.
The story is a little hard to follow. The transitions are sometimes not clear.
1 Ideas and scenes seem to be randomly arranged.
Creativity
The story contains The story contains a The story contains a many creative few creative few creative details and/or details and/or details and/or descriptions that con- descriptions that con- descriptions, but they tribute to the reader's tribute to the reader's distract from the enjoyment. The enjoyment. The story. The author has really author has used his author has tried to used his imagination. use his imagination. imagination.
Solution/ Resolution
The solution to the character's problem is easy to understand and is logical. There are no loose ends.
The solution to the character's problem is easy to understand and is somewhat logical.
The solution to the character's problem is a little hard to understand.
No solution is attempted or it is impossible to understand.
Conventions
No spelling or grammar errors in the writing.
No more than 3 spelling or grammar errors in the writing.
No more than 5 spelling or grammar errors in the writing.
More than 5 spelling or grammar errors remain in the final copy of the ending.
Novel Concept
The ending relates to The ending relates to the novel and the the novel and the characters. characters but are lacking in depth.
Ending does not relate to the novel or the characters.
Teacher Use Only: Week 5
Week 10
Week 15
Week 20Week 25Week 30Week 35Week 40
There is little evidence of creativity in the story. The author does not seem to have used much imagination.
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)
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
Name: ______________________
Period: __________________
Book Title: _____________________________________________________ Score/Comments:
Balance
Creativity
4
3
2
1
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.
The text and Some of the text The text and Difficult to images used on and images used on images used on the visualize image or the book cover rethe book cover book cover are emotion. flect an reflect student lacking in creativexceptional creativity in their ity. degree of creation. student creativity in their creation.
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 The book cover is acceptably distractingly messy attractive though it or very poorly demay be a bit signed. It is not messy. 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.
Novel Concept
All text and images are related to the book’s topic.
Most of the text Either the text or Neither the text or and images are re- the image does not the image relates to lated to the book’s relate to the book’s the book’s topic. topic. topic.
Teacher Use Only: Week 5
Week 10
Week 15
Week 20Week 25Week 30Week 35Week 40
More than 5 spelling or grammar errors remain in the final copy of the book cover.
Name: ______________________
Period: __________________
Book Title: _____________________________________________________ Score/Comments:
4
3
2
1
Captivation
Captivates and involves reader deeply.
Well focused and in- Some focus but lacks terests reader continuity. throughout.
Unfocused; author seems unsure of direction.
Sensory Images
Vivid, detailed images and intensely felt emotion.
Clear use of Some use of sensory images to image, idea, or emoportray ideas or emotion. tions.
Difficult to visualize image or emotion.
Requirements
All of the required content was present.
Conventions
Novel Concept
Almost all of the required content was present.
At least 75% of the Less than 75% of the required content was required present. content is present.
No spelling or gram- No more than 3 spell- No more than 5 spellmar errors in the ing or ing or newspaper. grammar errors in the grammar errors in the newspaper. newspaper.
All poems relate to the novel and the characters.
Most of the poems One or two of the po- None of the poems relate to the novel ems relate to the relate to the novel or and the characters but novel of the characthe are lacking in depth. ters. characters.
Teacher Use Only: Week 5
Week 10
Week 15
More than 5 spelling or grammar errors remain in the final copy of the newspaper.
Week 20Week 25Week 30Week 35Week 40
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. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Open the Home Directory on the desktop. Double click on the Common folder. Double click on the Independent Reading folder. Double click on the file “Characterization Template”. Immediately click “Print”.
Hair - This is what the character is thinking about during the coarse of 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.
Directions: Fill in the characterization sheet based on the protagonist in your novel. Book Title:
Hair - 5 thoughts of the character 1. _______________________________________
Bubble - quote by character
________________________
2. _______________________________________
________________________
3. _______________________________________
________________________
4. _______________________________________
____________________
5. _______________________________________
Fingers - accomplishments of the character 1. ___________________________________ 2. ___________________________________ 3. ___________________________________ 4. ___________________________________ 5. ___________________________________ 6. ___________________________________ 7. ___________________________________ 8. ___________________________________ 9. ___________________________________ 10. ___________________________________
Heart - Beliefs or values ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________
Ribbon - something the character is good at _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ ___
Circle at the ankle - weakness of the character _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Foot - where is the character headed/ what do you see for the future? ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________
1st Quarter
Book Title
Project Number (circle)
1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2nd Quarter
1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
3rd Quarter
1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
4th Quarter
1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10