Independent Reading Activities

Guidelines for Project:

(1)Include a cover page*

(2)Must be typed and double spaced

(3)Size 12 font/ Times New Roman

(4)All drawings must be colored

(5) Book must be at grade level or above

(6)You must complete 1 activity per novel, no repeats

(7) Project must be submitted on time- no exceptions, you have been provided the dates ahead of time.

(8)It is your responsibility to provide sufficient details from the novel, if you do not, credit will not be awarded.

If these guidelines are not followed, your work will be returned to you, and you will receive a "Z"

*Cover page should have your name, date, and period.

It should have the title of the novel, and should have the title of the assignment you have selected.

ELECTIVE ACTIVITIES: For each novel you read, complete1 of the following

Add a Character Create another character for the story. Write this character into the story and describe his/her interaction with existing characters. How would things be altered by this person’s presence? Be specific. Total Entry: 1 page

Artistic License Create a painting (yes, a painting) of a scene from the story. Explain your painting on a separate paper, along with reasoning behind your creative choices. Total entry: 1 painting and 1 page

Ask the Author. Write a letter (in proper friendly letter format. Not sure what that is, Google it!) to the author asking questions or comments about the reading.Didn’t enjoy the ending? Loved the conflict? Have a question about the protagonist’s motives? Let him or her know! Total entry: 2 pages

Before and After. After reading the first chapter of your book, make a prediction as to what you think will happen next. Write one paragraph relaying your prediction. Use evidence (properly cited) from the story. After you are done with the book, write 3 paragraphs explaining whether your prediction came true or not.Total entry: 2 pages

Book Me! Pretend you are a character in the book and write a diary entry from their first-person point of view. Your writing may be informal but it must still be proper and thoughtful. Be sure to use imagery and relate to details from the novel. If the entry does not read authentically and include details from the story, credit will not be awarded. Total entry: 2 pages

Crafty ConstructConstruct a scrapbook of the events of the novel as if you were your favorite character. Provide an explanation for all images and writings it contains. Total Entry: 5 pages

Dear Character Write a letter (in proper format) to a character form the novel telling him/her about your reaction to his/her actions. Evidence from the story is key. Total Entry: 2 pages

Famous Words. Visit a quotes database (quotationspage.com, quoteland.com, etc) and find a quote that you believe a character from your book would say. Using examples and text from the book, explain why you believe this quote is relevant. Use support (properly cited) from the story. Total entry: 1 page

From Words to Pictures. Find out if your book has a film adaptation. If so, view the film after having read the book and write an essay responding to the following: “How does the book “translate” to film? Is the film a successful adaptation? Why or why not?” Make sure to support your statements with evidence and examples from the book and the film. Total Entry: 2 pages

My Side of the Story Write a letter (in proper format) from the perspective of one of the characters in the novel to the readers; the letter should explain the motives behind this character’s actions in the story. Evidence from the story is key. Total Entry: 2 pages

Picture It. Make your book into a picture book! It must be properly bound and polished. Include at least 5 pictures replicating different scenes. Each picture must be from a different point of the story. Think ‘story diagram’. Any and all artistic mediums can be used (i.e.: photographs, sketches, collages, comic book strip, etc.) Pictures must include captions/ text.

Read all about it! Find a book review written about your book. After finishing your book and reading the review, respond to the person who wrote the review. Do you agree with his/her opinion? Which points? Why or why not? In proper letter format, write to the book reviewer letting him or her know how you feel about the review and what you would have written differently. Please be sure to include the original review. Total entry: 2 pages.

Reader’s Choice. Make a photocopy of your favorite chapter or scene from the book. Then write an expository essay (with a beginning, middle and end) explaining why it is your favorite chapter. Make sure to include details from the story to support your response. Total entry: 1 page.

Storyboarding: Create a storyboard based on the book. It must have at least 12 frames. You must also include a separate page explaining what’s happening in each particular scene along with your reasoning for depicting the frames the way you did. Think, ‘lighting, sound, setting, angles’. Total Entry: 1 poster (any size) and 1 page (minimum)

Thumbs Up or Down Pretend you are a movie critic. Critique the book as if it were a film. Discuss the characters, the setting, the plot, the tone… Perhaps even suggest actors who should have played the characters? Total entry: 2 pages

You versus the book: Compare and Contrast. Compare and contrast any aspect of yourself (your personality and/or personal experiences) to that of a character in your book.Include a Venn-diagram and a three paragraph detailed explanation. Total Entry: 2 pages

Name______

Date______

Per.___

Project Selection List

Students must understand that they must choose one of the following to complete their Independent Reading Projects. Students must also keep track of their novel and project selections on this paper. Assignments submitted without this paper will not be accepted. If a student loses this paper, it is his/her responsibility to ask for a replacement and complete it properly BEFORE submitting their next project.

  • Add a Character -- Total Entry: 1 page
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Artistic License --Total entry: 1 painting and 1 page
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Ask the Author -- Total entry: 2 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Before and After-- Total entry: 2 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Book Me! -- Total entry: 2 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Crafty Construct -- Total Entry: 5 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Dear Character -- Total Entry: 2 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Famous Words -- Total entry: 1 page
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • From Words to Pictures -- Total Entry: 2 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • My Side of the Story -- Total Entry: 2 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Picture It-- Total Entry: 5 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Read all about it! -- Total entry: 2 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Reader’s Choice -- Total entry: 1 page
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Storyboarding: -- as outlined
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • Thumbs Up or Down -- Total entry: 2 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______
  • You Versus the Book -- Total Entry: 2 pages
  • Date Selected______
  • Novel Selected______