Grade 8 ELA Exit Project

In April we will begin working on the 8th Grade ELA Exit Project. You must complete an exit project in order to graduate in June. This project is intended to assess your reading and writing skills.

The project will consist of reading a book independently and completing a written report to show your comprehension of the book.

You may choose from the following book titles:

Freak the Mightyby Rodman Philbrick

Crash by Jerry Spinelli

Seedfolksby Paul Fleischman

Scorpions by Walter Dean Myers

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Of Mice and Menby John Steinbeck

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Night by Elie Wiesel

This exit project is due on: ______

Be prepared to present one of your exit projects.

Suggested Due Dates:

In order to help you pace yourself, set due dates for the following short-term goals:

  1. Book should be read by: ______
  2. Rough draft is due by: ______
  3. Final Draft is due by: ______

Option 1:

Create a Newspaper Book Report

Requirements:

  • Title/Name of Newspaper

Create a title for your newspaper that is relevant to your book. Be sure to include your book title, your name, your class, and the date.

ARTICLES:

  • Summary

At the top of the first page, write a well-developed summary article of your book.

  1. Make sure your summary answers who, what, where, why, and when.
  2. Create a headline that relates to the summary.
  • Main Character

Write an article about the main character.

  1. Describe who the character is, what he or she did, personality traits, and interesting things about the character.
  2. Create a headline that relates to the article.
  3. Draw a picture of your main character in a scene from the book. Include a caption under the picture.
  • Antagonist

Write an article about the antagonist. Write in complete paragraphs.

  1. Explain why this person is the antagonist.
  2. Create a headline that relates to the article.
  3. Draw a picture of the antagonist causing the problem.
  • Advice Column
  • Write a short letter to a newspaper advice columnist from the main character seeking advice about the major problem your character faces in the story. Create an assumed name for your character to use to sign his or her letter.
  • Then write the response from the columnist that reflects how the problem was solved.
  • Book Review

Write a review for the book you read.

  1. Explain your likes and dislikes.
  2. To whom would you recommend this book? Why?
  3. Create a headline for your book review.
  • Advertisements, Crosswords, and More

All the space in your newspaper should be filled. After you have written all that is required, be creative to fill up the remaining spaces. Suggested possibilities include want ads, advertisements, crossword puzzles, word searches, riddles or comics. Make sure they relate to the story you read.

Option 2:

Write aCharacter Analysis Essay & Poster

Requirements:

Character Analysis Essay

Write a four paragraph essay. Your essay must include the following:

  • Introduction paragraph including the book title and author, thesis statement (main idea statement), and brief retelling
  • 2 body paragraphs including the character traits, character actions, and character motivations. You must use descriptive examples from the text to support the character traits that you chose to describe them. Your focus is on showing character development and the changes that the character experiences in the book.
  • Concluding paragraph that connects your thesis statement to your understanding of the world and people in general.

Character Analysis Poster:

The background should reflect the main setting of the story, the character’s name, the title of the book, the author’s name, and your name.

5 pictures should be included illustrating each of the following:

  • The main character in a scene from the book
  • The character’s family or friends
  • The main character’s major accomplishment
  • The setting of the story
  • A picture of your choice that relates back to the book

5 Souvenirs and Mementos – Draw, create, collect, or find souvenirs that the main character would put in a scrapbook. These objects should reflect events in the story or important aspects of your character. Include an explanation next to each object describing its significance.

A rubric will be provided.

OR

Option 2:

Write aThemeAnalysis Essay & Poster

Requirements:

Theme Analysis & Poster

Write a four paragraph essay. Your essay must include the following:

  • Introduction paragraph including the book title and author, thesis statement (main idea statement), and brief retelling
  • 2 body paragraphs providing examples from the text that prove the theme statement that you have chosen. You must use descriptive examples from the text to support your development of the theme. Your focus is on showing how the author’s message translates into a life lesson.
  • Concluding paragraph that connects your thesis statement to your understanding of the world and people in general.

Character Analysis Poster:

The background should reflect the main setting of the story, the character’s name, the title of the book, the author’s name, and your name.

5 pictures and captions should be included illustrating each of the following:

  • The main character in a scene from the book
  • The character’s family or friends
  • The main character’s major accomplishment
  • The setting of the story
  • A picture of your choice that relates back to the book

5 Souvenirs and Mementos – Draw, create, collect, or find souvenirs that the main character would put in a scrapbook. These objects should reflect events in the story or important aspects of your character. Include an explanation next to each object describing its significance.

A rubric will be provided.