Independent Reading Project - due Monday, November 26th
Directions: Choose one of the following projects for your Independent Reading Novel Project and Presentation. Projects and presentations are due November 26th. No exceptions! You are welcome to get started as soon as possible. Keep in mind, the due date is the Monday we return from Thanksgiving break! Don't wait until the last minute and miss out on your well deserved break. All written component parts must be typed and printed.
ALL PROJECTS must also include a write up including the following:
REMEMBER - you are presenting your projects to the class. Make it entertaining! Simple posters with a brief summary and a few pictures are not fun nor creative. You get to choose your own book, so hopefully, you like the book and want to do it justice! Think of this as a persuasive presentation and try to convince us to go out and buy the book. Think outside the box. And final reminder, if you choose a project not on any list I have provided you with, you must get it approved before you begin.
- Create a book trailer – Just like a movie trailer, a book trailer tells the story in a way that touches on the highlights, but sells the audience on wanting to experience it without spoiling the ending. There are a number of great resources students can use, including Animoto for Education, PhotoPeach, Go!Animate, and iMovie. You must act in and/or direct your trailer. It must be at least 1 ½ minutes with music, words, and a polished finished product. Be sure to provide me with the final product before it is due.
- Create a playlist for the book - Your playlist must have at least 10 songs that are somehow connected to the book, chapters, events, themes, setting, characters, etc. You must find a way to get me the songs (email songs, Google Doc with links to music videos, create a playlist on Google Music or Spotify, or create a cd). Each song must have a paragraph explanation that states why and how the song fits the book, chapter, event, theme, setting, character, etc.
- Write a poetic summary - Summarize the book in a 30-40 line poem. The poetic summary should cover the entire book, start to finish. You must incorporate and label at minimum 10 different literary devices throughout your poem.
- Character astrology signs - After reading brief descriptions of the astrology or sun signs, figure out which signs you think three of the main characters from your book were born under. Write an explanation of why you think they fit the sign, drawing on their actions, attitudes, and thoughts from the book.
- College application - Ask Thielen for a college application print out. You will fill out the college application for a character you have just read about and will write a two page essay from the character’s point of view.
- College application essay prompts:
- what experience, event, or person has had a significant impact on your life?
- Describe your areas of interest, your personality, and how they relate to why you would like to attend this college.
- Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
- College application essay prompts:
- Memory jar - Collect 10 items that somehow connect to the book you have read (characters, events, setting, etc.). Think of a creative way to display these items (check out sites like Pinterest or Gawker for ideas), and complete a paragraph write up for each item, explaining how it connects to your novel.
- Game - Invent a board game for your book designed with a path of spaces (start to finish). Each space should have information from the book and instruct players to move, or you can do this with cards (ie: Nancy finds a clue in a clock - move ahead two spaces). You should also include mishaps (ie: Nancy runs out of gas - skip a turn). Board should show the setting of the book and playing pieces should represent characters. NOTE: you may also invent a simple computer game for the class to play. Be sure to write clear directions explaining how to play and how to win.
- Talk show interview - You may film a talk show where the talk show host interviews characters from the book. Be sure to keep the conversation based on real events that occurred in the book and characters should stay in character - act like the person you are playing.
- An interesting way of your own choosing to highlight the book you have selected to read for this semester.
ALL PROJECTS must also include a write up including the following:
- Book Title
- Author
- Paragraph summary of the novel. (What happened?)
- A theme statement in one complete sentence that answers the question: What is the author’s message about life?
- A paragraph personal response to the text. (Did you like it? Why or why not? Would you recommend it? To whom?)
REMEMBER - you are presenting your projects to the class. Make it entertaining! Simple posters with a brief summary and a few pictures are not fun nor creative. You get to choose your own book, so hopefully, you like the book and want to do it justice! Think of this as a persuasive presentation and try to convince us to go out and buy the book. Think outside the box. And final reminder, if you choose a project not on any list I have provided you with, you must get it approved before you begin.