Student Created. Book Commercials. An engaging and fun way for students to persuade classmates to read and promote quality literature,

Transcription

1 Student Created Book Commercials An engaging and fun way for students to persuade classmates to read and promote quality literature, while improving reading fluency, conventions, word choice and presentation skills.

2 Table of Contents Introduction & Getting Started! Recording Sheet Book Commercial Elements (Student Handout) Teacher Handout Notes Peer Feedback Information Grading Rubric Thank you for supporting my site!

3 Introduction A book commercial is a 1-2 minute student written and filmed video advertisement for a novel. Book commercials are a wonderful addition to any reading program. The best reason to incorporate them is because they encourage students to read! Book commercials provide a platform in which to discuss and share literature as a whole class. This activity integrates technology, writing, oral speaking and presentation skills. Students must analyze a literary work, summarize, identify various literary elements, and incorporate proper written conventions. Getting started! 1. Choose a book. Have students choose a book they have read in the last year. It should be a book that is on their current reading level. See recording sheet so you can keep track of the books the students will be working with. One of the most important things to remember is to allow students to choose their own book! Forcing them to promote a book they are not interested in will result in a lackluster book commercial. If you do not want to give students such a broad range of choice, you could always stick to a particular genre, which would still provide plenty of book choices. 2. Watch book commercial examples. Students are very familiar with TV commercials, but they may have never seen a book commercial. The following websites have great clips from which to explore. (Recommendation: save student examples each year to play for future students!) There are many on this website. Some are better than others. I use the strong examples to explain what TO do and the weaker examples to discuss what NOT to do, or betterwhat could have been done differently? There are TONS of book commercials on YouTube. Of course you would need to carefully screen ahead of time.

4 3. Write a script. Students should write out every word they will be saying in their commercial- just like any real commercial script. They will use the handout in this packet, entitled Book Commercial Elements to guide them in this process. You may want to model writing a script together, using a book you have read as a class. The commercials should aim to be 1-2 minutes long, which is usually one full page handwritten. 4. Swap Scripts! This is optional, but it works well to switch scripts with a partner. Have students proofread each other s script. As they read, checkmark every element the student included using a fresh copy of the student handout. 5. Practice Encourage students to practice reading their scripts aloud to avoid staring down at the script during filming. 6. Record An ipad, with an ipad stand works wonderfully when recording. However, any recording device will work. You may want to have students step outside the room in pairs of two and film. They will need a quiet space and probably a few takes to get it right. The library is a great place to film because it is quiet and provides a nice backdrop! Make sure students have the script and a copy of the novel to show during their recording. If their book is one in a series, it is fun to show the other books in the series, or other books by the same author. 7. Watch! There are many ways to go about watching the commercials. If you have Apple TV, stream them and spread them out, a few a day, over a week. If you use Edmodo or have a webpage you could post them online. You could also show one each day and really drag out the fun over a longer period of time! While students are watching the commercials, have them fill out an index card or post-it with some feedback for their peers. (See Peer Feedback page) Happy Creating!

5 Book Commercial Recording Sheet Student Name Book Title Author

6 Book Commercial Elements Name: You will have the opportunity to write and film a book commercial to share with your classmates! Your written script should include the following elements: Introduce yourself Name of book & author (display the book) Setting Genre Where can you find the book? What is the book about? (plot/conflicts) Interesting literary elements used Who should read it? Why should they read it? Theme of the book Use details from the book to support your claims/add interest Speak clearly Use expression! Your voice should reflect punctuation. Look at the camera Don t give away the ending! Use strong word choice in written script. Written script should include correct conventions (spelling, grammar, and punctuation) Make your recommendation convincing! Optional, but suggested! Include quotes from the book Include quotes from other book reviewers Include a cliffhanger!

7 Book Commercial Elements Name: Teacher You will have the opportunity to write and film a book commercial to share with your classmates! Your written script should include the following elements: Just a few teacher notes to help guide the lesson! Introduce yourself Name, grade Name of book & author (display the book) Setting Where does the story take place Genre Realistic Fiction, Biography, Fantasy, Mystery, etc. Where can you find the book? Library, bookstores, Amazon What is the book about? (plot/conflicts) Interesting literary elements used Puns, alliteration, flashbacks, etc. Who should read it? What age group? Why should they read it? If you like action, etc. Theme of the book Honesty, unselfishness, family, etc. Use details from the book to support your claims/add interest Show not tell! Speak clearly and slowly! Use expression! Your voice should reflect punctuation. Get excited! Look at the camera As much as possible! Don t give away the ending! Use strong work choice in written script! This book was phenomenal, instead of good Written script should include correct conventions (spelling, grammar, and punctuation) Make your recommendation convincing! Optional, but suggested! Include quotes from the book Include quotes from other book reviewers Amazon.com has great book reviews to get ideas from. Include a cliffhanger! You ll have to read the book to find out who she chooses! or You ll never guess what he finds, etc

8 Book Commercial Grading Rubric Student Name: Up to 3 points each 1 = Unsatisfactory- student did not demonstrate or include 2 = Satisfactory 3 = Excellent Student speaks clearly and loudly, and is easy to understand. Student looks at his/her audience. Student displays the book. Student introduces themselves, the book and author. Student s voice reflects punctuation. Student mentioned the genre & theme of the book. Student concisely describes the plot without giving away the ending. Student s recommendation was convincing. Student included strong word choice. Students written script included correct conventions (spelling, grammar, and punctuation) Teacher comments: Total: /30

9 Peer Feedback If you are going to incorporate peer feedback, it is recommended that you play each commercial twice, back-to-back. The first time around students can just enjoy them, then the second time they can really listen for book commercial elements which were included. After students watch their classmates book commercials the second time, fill out index cards or post-it with some feedback for their peers. Answer in complete sentences! Classmate name: I liked Maybe next time I would or would not like to read your book because Your name: Clip these to the final grading rubric. Students really enjoy reading what their classmates have to say about their commercials!