INDEPENDENT BOOK PROJECT LAYERS C LAYER (70-79 POINTS) COMPLETE 1 PROJECT FROM EACH SECTION (I.E. VOCABULARY, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, SETTING, AND MISC.) POINTS POSSIBLE VOCABULARY SELECT ONLY ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING VOCABULARY PROJECTS TO COMPLETE 1. As you read the book, note vocabulary words that are new or unfamiliar to you. For each word, locate 3 synonyms from the dictionary and/or thesaurus. Prepare a vocabulary test with the directions that for each group of synonyms, a student should choose the word that does not belong. Include an answer key. 2. Select at least vocabulary words from your book and create a vocabulary board game using those words! You must include directions, the actual board game and game pieces (inspiration: Taboo, BINGO, monopoly). 3. Choose new or unfamiliar vocabulary words from your book. Memorize their spellings and definitions. You will have to correctly spell and give the definition for each word from memory to Ms. Cara to get project credit. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT SELECT ONLY ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS TO COMPLETE 1. Character Wheels. Make a large circle on plain paper. Write the protagonist s name in the center. In each quarter of the wheel, list one of the following: Background (occupation, education level, etc.), Physical Appearance (approximate age and physical description), Temperament (personality description), and Ideas (what he/she things or believes). Use direct quotes to support your assertions when possible. 2. Create a mobile of major characters in the book based on their relationship to each other. Include physical descriptions and character traits OR show these with sketches. The mobile must be 3-D. 3. Imagine the protagonist of your book has a Facebook and/or Twitter account. In the voice of your main character, write a FB status or Tweet for chapter in your book (min. status updates). Each status update/tweet should use appropriate language to describe thoughts, feelings, reactions, and events pertinent to each chapter/major event. Limit each status update/tweet to 140 words or less. 4. Write a poem/song about one or more characters in your book. You should have five or more stanzas and should include or more details about your character(s) from the story. 20
SETTING SELECT ONLY ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING SETTING PROJECTS TO COMPLETE 1. Create a model, diorama or shadow box of the setting and major characters of the book. Use the book s description of the setting it takes place in to accurately show this in your diorama. Include a written description of how the setting is important to the story must also be included on the diorama. This must be handmade! 2. Make a glogster poster that accurately show the place your book took place in. Be sure to include the name of the country or city, 3 pictures of details from the book that tell us what this place looks like (for example, a picture of how the people who live there look, symbol that represents this place, landscape (plants/trees, desert),1 topographic/geological feature), and 3 rules that define this place. Be sure to label your pictures. Creativity counts! 20 MISCELLANIOUS SELECT ONLY ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING MISCELLANIOUS PROJECTS TO COMPLETE 1. Create a conflict chart showing the multiple conflicts in the book. Include at least five examples total) of two different types of conflict identified correctly. 2. Watch the video of the book (if it exists) AFTER you read the book and create a chart that compares/contrasts it with the book. The chart must give 5 significant differences and 5 significant similarities between the book and movie. 3. Write a book review for a school newspaper, library, or bulletin board. What were the merits and drawbacks of the book? Discuss why you would or would not recommend this book to others. (min.: 3 paragraphs) 4. Write a letter to the author telling him/her that you read his/her book. Tell him/her what you liked most about the book, what you learned from the book, and ask any questions that you have. Be sure to use letter format. (min.: 3 paragraphs) 5. Create a plot diagram or story map. Include setting, major characters, rising action (4 events), climax, and falling action/resolution (3 events) TOTAL POINTS FOR C LAYER NOTE: Students must complete the C Layer (70 points, minimum) before assessed on the B Layer.
B LAYER Choose ONE activity. 1. Draw five cartoons that show different settings/scenes in the book. Underneath each cartoon, include an explanation of the setting you are illustrating. For full credit, your cartoons should include details and color. 2. Design a new book jacket for the book. Your jacket should include hand-drawn illustrations of 5 or more events/ideas/themes. You should also write a synopsis of the book for the back or inside of the jacket. 3. Write a series of five journal entries from the point of view of only one of the characters in the book. Each entry should be approximately one page in length and should reflect your character s feelings about an important event or series of events in the story. Be sure to label and date each entry. POINTS POSSIBLE TOTAL POINTS FOR B LAYER and the C LAYER (80-89 points possible) NOTE: Students must have completed at least one B Layer activity and have at least 80 points before being assessed on the A Layer A LAYER Choose ONE activity. 1. Conduct an interview. Research the author s life. Write a script for an interview between a newspaper reporter and the author, shortly after the publication of the book. Role play your script for the class or perform your interview as a Podcast or imovie. (The role play can be done with a classmate.) 2. Write a scene or monologue from the perspective of different character in the book in play format to perform in front of the class. You may do this with another member of the class. What are your (the character s) thoughts, feelings, and concerns? Be sure to rehearse the scene, memorize the lines and bring in props. Perform your scene/monologue as a Podcast or record it on imovie. 3. Write a continuation of the book. Your continuation should include characters from the book in a new situation or facing a new conflict related to the events of the story. Be sure that you are writing from the same point of view that the book is written in. Length: 2+ pages 5. Understanding Theme Find five quotations from the book that give us insight into the theme of Utopia and big ideas behind the story. Write a one-paragraph analysis for each quotation. What important issues do they raise? How do these issues help us to understand where the story is taking place? POINTS POSSIBLE TOTAL POINTS EARNED 0
GRADING Each project will be graded on the following criteria: r Creativity and original thought r Thoroughness of the activities r Demonstration of understanding of the book, as show through each activity r Effort and care shown in each activity r English grammar, conventions, and organization (for written activities) r Neatness of work. It does not need to be typed, but if it is handwritten, it should be very neat and formatted appropriately. r Name and heading BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE TITLE AND AUTHOR OF YOUR BOOK ON ANY AND ALL WRITTEN WORK!!
INDEPENDENT BOOK PROJECTS Choose one of the books below to read on your own (that you haven t read before!). Then choose a combination of activities from the project layers on the next page. Your goal is to complete a series of mini-projects that add up to 0 points. Happy reading! Utopia Themed: & The Wave by Todd Strasser Books & Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. & Gathering Blue^ by Lois Lowry & Feed by M. T. Anderosn & Little Brother^ by Cory Doctorow & The Hunger Games by Susan Collins & Catching Fire*^ by Susan Collins & Pretties by Scott Westerfeld Imperialism Themed: & The Jungle Book*+^ by Rudyard Kipling & The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay & Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane & Things Fall Apart* by Chinua Achebe & Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver & Heart of Darkness^ by Joseph Conrad - CHALLENGE READ! & A Passage to India by E.M. Forster - CHALLENGE READ! & Burmese Days+ by George Orwell - CHALLENGE READ! * = available in Chinese at the Brooklyn Public Library + = available in Russian at the Brooklyn Public Library ^ = available in Spanish at the Brooklyn Public Library All C Layer Projects are due by Monday, March 11 All B Layer Projects are due by Wednesday, April 3 All A Projects are due by Monday, April 8
?s, feedback, concerns, email me at cschroeder@inths.org