Eastern Middle School Reading Fair

What is a Reading Fair? An opportunity for students to share their favorite fiction book through a storyboard display. Students must identify story elements, write a book sequel, and be creative in decorating their board to illustrate the story.

Dear parents,

At the beginning of the school year, your child selected an individual book to read throughout the year. This book will be the one he/she uses to create a trifold storyboard project for our school’s Reading Fair (to be held this Spring—date to be determined). Some students are finishing these books, so we are sending home this letter to assist you in helping your child complete this project.

The following are guidelines to use when doing this project:

  • The project needs to be done on a trifold board, no smaller than 30” x40” and no larger than 36” x 48”. These boards can be purchased at stores like Walmart and Dollar General, or at craft stores like Craft 2000. The price generally ranges from $2.00-$3.00.
  • The book your child selected must be an age/grade/ability appropriate one, at least 150-200 pages in length. Please make sure that the book is also school-appropriate in content.
  • Reading portion: There are story elements which must appear on the board: title, author, publisher/publishing date, genre, main characters, setting, plot, conflict, resolution, point of view, author’s purpose, summary (use summary template), reflection, and connection.
  • Writing portion: Write a sequel to the book you read. Use the rubric and story map (given to you by Mrs. Houck) to help you develop your story. You must include the same main character(s) from your book, and develop new characters, settings, plot, conflict, and resolution.

You will need to include the following :

1.  Title page (title of your new story, your name, and your class).

2.  Final copy (Grade 5: 2-3 pages, fronts only. Grade 6: 3-4 pages, fronts only.)—May be typed; font must be 14.

3.  Rough draft

4.  Prewriting (story map chart)

  • Books may be read at school, but projects are to be completed at home. We encourage family members to help, but remember the majority of the project should be completed by your child.
  • Students’ names, homeroom teacher, and grade level should be put on the back of the trifold board.
  • Each board should be colorful and interesting. Illustrations should reflect what the particular book is about. Projects will not be graded on “artistic ability”, however, they should be neat and look well thought-out. Items on the board can be typed or hand-written.
  • Projects will not be judged, but will receive a grade, based on criteria on a rubric.

***Examples of storyboards from other schools***

Have fun helping your child enjoy Reading!

Mrs. Lemons and Mrs. Houck

Please sign and return the section below.

I have read the above information and understand that my child will participate and complete the project for the Eastern Middle School Reading Fair.

______

Signature Date

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." — Jacqueline Kennedy

Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.

-Maya Angelou

It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations--something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.

-Katherine Patterson