Independent Reading Projects
During this semester, you will read two books of your choice as part of the Independent Reading Project (one book per quarter).
Grading for the Independent Reading Project: = 130 points total
Choosing a book:
• You may read any work of fiction or non-fiction (no magazines).
• You should make a plan for reading your book at a reasonable pace.
• Books must be 200 pages or more in length. See me if you have questions.
• You must complete 1 – Numbered Activity OR 1- Lettered Activity, and 1 Book Review for a total of 2 projects per semester (one due each quarter).
Book Review Rubric (60 points total)
DUE: ______
Book Review Requirements: Review your novel. Include the following: a) title and author,b) genre of the story, c) names of major characters, d) brief description of conflict(s), e) whatyou liked/disliked about the book, f) a recommendation for a specific audience. REMEMBER: you must include specific quotes from your book to support your review!
Category / Excellent / Satisfactory / Fair / UnacceptableAuthor, Title, Genre, Characters / ALL required elements / 3 required elements / 2 required elements / 0-1 required elements
Description of Conflicts / Includes ALL major plot details / Includes most major plot details / Includes some major plot details / Includes no major plot detail
Likes/Dislikes / Provides detailed examples in both areas / Provides examples in both areas; lacks detail / Provides examples in only one area / Provides no examples in either area
Audience Recommendation / Specific audience with details / Specific audience with few details / General audience with details / No audience
Grammar and Mechanics / 0-2 errors / 3-5 errors / 6-10 errors / 11+errors
Direct quotations from book / Smoothly and frequently integrates relevant quotes from the book / Somewhat frequently integrates relevant quotes from the book / Few quotes integrated, some may not be sufficient support for ideas / Little to no quotes incorporated in review
Independent Reading Projects
DUE:__DECEMBER 15th______
NUMBERED ACTIVITIES: 70 points
1. Write a letter to the author of the book. Tell him/her what you liked and disliked about the story and his/her writing style. Give them specific reasons and examples from the story to support what you say. Be sure that your letter is in the correct format.
-At least a page (can be more)
-MLA format: size 12 font, Times New Roman
-Include at least two quotes from the book
2. Write a resume of one of your better-detailed characters. Imagine that the character is applying for a job (appropriate to his/her role in the story). Include objective, prior experience,education/schooling/degrees, vital statistics, hobbies, and references. Make the document look official. Type it!
-Resume must be one page, two maximum
-12 point font, Times New Roman
-should be neat and visually appealing
3. Imagine you were to go through the trash of one of the characters. Explain what you might find and why. Base your “finds” on the story and character actions. Please describe at least ten items.
-Must have a visual representation of each item (drawing, clip art, an actual object, etc.)
-Must include 1 paragraph for each item
-size 12 font, Times New Roman
4. Write an ad for a dating service for one of the characters. Include details such as a physicaldescription, hobbies, interests, education, job, likes/dislikes, favorites, and what he/she is lookingfor in a potential date. You should use information you learned about this character from thestory, but you can also use your imagination to fill out the ad.
-Must be school appropriate
-Must be at least one page
-12 point font, double-spaced
-include a profile picture for the character
5. Decide the top 10 songs a character in your book would most likely listen to. List the title and artist for each choice. Include 2-3 sentences for each on why your character might like each of the songs. (Be sure to cite any information you get form your book or the internet in MLA format.)
-Include original album art
-Be as specific as possible, and refer to specific examples in the book.
-Song titles must be school appropriate – edit if needed.
*-go above and beyond – burn a copy of the C.D.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LETTERED ACTIVITIES: 70 points
A. Create a comic strip or a storyboard for the events in the story. Be sure that the illustrationsexplain the story clearly. Do not include every detail-- only those that are necessary tounderstand the actions. You will not be judged on your artistic talent, only on your apparenteffort. However, please use good judgment.
-Must be on an 11x14 piece of poster
-Must be colored
-Should include images and text
B. Design a web site or construct a power point presentation about the book. Include a short storymap of important elements like characters, settings, themes, or other information that you feelwould be useful. Include your own creative touch!
-If you choose a PowerPoint, it must be at least five slides
-If you choose a website, include screenshots of the web page in case we cannot access the website from school computers
C. Make a scrapbook about the story or pretend a character had made it about his/her life. Thisshould look like a real scrapbook, complete with actual memorabilia, awards, letters, photos,mementos, ticket stubs, report cards, postcards, etc. Write brief captions for each item – what would you say about this to help you remember why you put it in your journal? Remember, anything you get from online or text sources needs to be cited using MLA format.
-captions must be 2-3 sentences
-Must include at least 10 pages
-Must be aesthetically pleasing
-Must include at least five quotes from the book throughout
-Make sure to use a works cited for any images or text you quote.
D. Create a book jacket description for the story. Pretend you are trying to “hook” readers’ interest in the story by explaining its contents on the back of the book. How would you tell people what the book is about and persuade them to pick it up and read it?
-Has to include pictures
-Must include about the author section
-Must include reviews from reputable sources (these can be made up)
-Has to include a summary of the story without giving away the ending
-size 12 font maximum
-Make sure it looks like an ACTUAL book jacket – ask me for examples if you need one!
E. What does your room say about you? We learn a lot about people by what they keep in their closets, what they have on their walls, what furniture they have in a room, etc. Create a living room, bedroom, kitchen, or some other room that would mean a lot to the individual from your independent reading book. Draw it (paper or digitally) and include a brief explanation of why you designed the room as you did. Use MLA formatting to cite specific references t the book or for any illustrations.
-Must describe at least five objects in detail
-Descriptions for each object should be one paragraph, COMPLETE WITH QUOTES FROM THE BOOK.
*-go above and beyond – recreate the room using 3D objects!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
F. New creative idea! Come talk to me if you have a different idea.
REMINDER: ANYTHING you get from the internet or your book must be cited. You MUST have a works cited page for your project. Images or quotes must use in-text citations wherever they appear on your project. For additional MLA guidelines: