BOOK TALKS Mrs. Augello s English 8 Class English-Language Arts California Common Core State Standards Grade 8 Reading Standards for Literature 8.RL.1-3 8.RL 4-6 8.RL.10 Key Ideas and Details Craft and Structure Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity Reading Standards for Information Text 8.RI.1-4 8.RI.4-6 Key Ideas and Details Craft and Structure Speaking and Listening 8.SL.1,3 8.SL.4-6 Comprehension and Collaboration Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas Language 8.L.1 8.L.3 8.L.4-6 Conventions of Standards English Knowledge of Language Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
Introduction A book talk is one form of persuasive speech and can carry over to your writing skills. It is an opportunity to give your opinion or reaction about a book you have read. It can be short or long. The first step is to read your book carefully and thoughtfully. If you need to, take notes to help you remember important points. Next, decide if you want to concentrate on the plot, characters, setting, or theme of the story. Make sure you include the title of the book and the author s name somewhere in your presentation and in your small project, which will become your visual aid. Close with your opinion of the book, and whether or not you would recommend it to others. Visual Aid Option Selection The following visual aid options are yours for the choosing when doing your assigned book talks for Mrs. Augello s class. Please choose what you think might be the most fun to demonstrate to Mrs. Augello that you have read the book. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy reading!!!!!! 1. Imagine you are a Hollywood screenwriter. What story scenes would you film and what scenes would you eliminate? Why? 2. Play a CD or cassette of a song. Indicate the reasons why your musical choice can be associated with the book you read. 3. Draw comic strip frames of the story s plot. 4. Tell how the story would be changed if one of the main characters were eliminated. 5. Create a board game of the story s plot. Tell how the game relates to the story. 6. Write a one-act play about one important chapter in the book. 7. Build a shoe box setting of the story. Explain the impact of the setting of the story. 8. Do magazine collages of the main characters. Explain each character s relationship to the story. 9. Create a crossword puzzle of the story elements. Explain why you chose the questions you did. 10. Describe all the boring sections of the book.
11. List ten (10) important words in the story. Tell why they are important. 12. Write a one-page summary of the story. 13. Write a short chapter after the last chapter to redo the book s ending. 14. Write a newspaper-type article about the story plot as though it happened today. 15. List ten (10) important questions on the story. Write ten (10) important answers to the ten (10) important questions. 16. Create a mobile on the story. Utilize the mobile to represent characters, setting, conflict, and resolution of the conflict. 17. Create a different and better book cover. Use the inside flap to write a short summary of the story. 18. Make a poster advertising the most interesting information you have learned. Display the poster and give a two-minute talk explaining why you found the information interesting. 19. Describe in writing or on tape an interesting person or character that you learned about and dramatize something he or she did. Ask a few classmates to tell you what they think of the human being you portrayed. 20. Write a letter to an imaginary friend about fictitious travels concerned with your topic. 21. Write an imaginary letter from one story character to another. 22. Write a book review persuading people to read the book. 23. Organize a file box for new words. Arrange the words under headings such as descriptive words, or words with more than one meaning. 24. Describe a character in the story. Describe how the author developed the character and influenced the reader. 25. Write the author a letter telling him/her why you liked or didn t like the story, ending etc. 26. Design a mask. 27. Write a biography on one of the characters.
28. Write an autobiography on one of the characters. This means you assume your are the character and you are writing about yourself. 29. Do a finger puppet dramatization about one aspect of the story. 30. Come up with three (3) different story endings from the original. 31. List five (5) ways you could improve the story. 32. How might you program a video game utilizing the story elements? 33. Stand up and give a regular book report. 34. Make a poster advertising the most interesting information you have learned from the book. 35. See Mrs. Augello if you have a different idea on how to present your Book Talk. Book Talk Day 1. Bring the book or a picture of it. 2. Give your talk (at least 5 minutes) a. Memorize your talk b. Present your visual aid. c. Use HOOKS (for example: ask a question, describe a setting, read an exciting passage, describe a problem, use a surprise statement, explain the main idea of the story or the problem the protagonist has, tell a riddle that relates to the story). d. Include ANALYSIS (Choose 2): (for example: what makes the book unique?, what challenges did you have when reading the book?, what makes the main character interesting?, what is the primary conflict?, what is the theme?, why is it important for kids to read this book?, who is the protagonist and what are the qualities he/she has?, who is the antagonist and what qualities?, why is the setting important?, how does the protagonist change?, what is your favorite scene?, is this story believable?- why/why not?, what surprised you?, what lingering questions and thoughts does the book leave you with?, what ideas from the books will stick with the reader once he or she is finished with it?, did you believe the characters were realistic why/why not?, what choices does the character make that adds to the excitement or interest to the story?). Grading See attached rubric.