To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Independent Reading Project Packet

Within these pages you will find your Independent Reading Project Packet. You must complete THE ENTIRE PACKET as you read this novel. Be aware that you need to complete this packet AS YOU READ, not once you have finished the entire book. This packet will help you focus on the novel and retain the necessary information for your final test for this unit.There are five main components of this packet: Super Summarizer, Passage Picker, Word Wizard, Clever Connector, and Amazing Artist. However, you must write two brief reflection paragraphs as well, your pre-note and post-note. Remember to be thorough and creative – this is your project grade for this unit. Good luck and happy reading .

PRE-NOTE

Before beginning the novel, take a few minutes to brainstorm the assignment. What about the book appeals to you, if anything? Are you excited about this project? Why or why not? Are you nervous about any part of the project? Why or why not? Do you have any last minute questions?
SUPER SUMMARIZER

This is the tough job, the job that you will probably enjoy the least. HOWEVER, it is the most important. You will fill in the chart below for each chapter of your book. Be sure to fill in ALL pertinent information, as tedious as it may seem. This will help you greatly after you have finished the book.

*IF YOU NEED MORE SPACES, GO ON THE BLOG FOR ADDITIONAL PAPER*

Chapter
Number / Title / Page Numbers
(from _____ to ______) / Summary in 5 Key Points (MOST IMPORTANT Information for this chapter)

PASSAGE PICKER

As the Passage Picker, your job is to locate FOUR sections of text that stand out to you. Below, you will find a list of possible reasons for picking a section of the text: good dialogue, well-written, confusing, important, surprising, figurative language, sets a mood, tells about characters, funny, thought-provoking.But remember, these are not the only reasons for picking your important passage. When you have chosen your four important passages, you must fill-in your information on the below.

PASSAGE #1 ------

Page # ______Paragraph # ______

Reason?______

______

______

PASSAGE #2 ------Page # ______Paragraph # ______

Reason?______

______

______

PASSAGE #3 ------Page # ______Paragraph # ______

Reason?______

______

______

PASSAGE #4 ------Page # ______Paragraph # ______

Reason?______

______

______

WORD WIZARD

You are the master of language in this job as the Word Wizard.You will pick 10 words from the novel that stick out to you. For example, ifyou find words that are puzzling or unfamiliar, mark them while youare reading and then later jot down their definition. You may also run across familiar words thatstand out somehow in the reading - words that are repeated a lot or provide a key to the meaningof the text. Mark these special words, and fill-in the necessary information in the chart below.

Page Number / Word / Definition / Sentence of your own

CLEVER CONNECTOR

For this job, you must use your “Making Connections” skills to links elements from the

novel to your life (Text to Self), another text (Text to Text), and the world around you (Text to World). This means connecting the reading to your own life, happenings at school or in the community, similar events at other times and places, or other people or problems that this bookbrings to mind. You might also see connections between this book and other writings on the sametopic or other writings by the same author. There are no right answers here. Remember to be specific and thorough. Fill-in the graphic organizer below, correctly labeling your connections. YOU MUST MAKE 6 CONNECTIONS and LABEL THEM!!
AMAZING ARTIST

As the Amazing Artist, you must draw some kind of picture related to the reading. It can be a sketch,cartoon, collage, diagram, flow chart, or stick figure scene. You can draw a picture of something that isdiscussed specifically in your book, something that the reading reminded you of, or a picture thatconveys any idea or feeling you got from the reading. Any kind of drawing or graphic is okay.You can even label things with words if that helps. Make your drawing on this paper. Be creative, not boring!

POST-NOTE

Finally! You have finished the novel! And because you have completed this wonderful experience, it is time for reflection. This is just like your pre-note, just a few sentences about your project. However this time you can write how you feel now. How did you feel about the book? Did you love it or hate it? Why? How do you feel about this independent project? Was it difficult or easy? Would you suggest this project for future classes? Why or why not? Anything else?