Independent+Reading+Project+Options

Independent Reading Project Options:

“Driven To Read” Caution Flags ** “ ** Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting. ** ” ** ~ Edmund Burke

**__ Speaking: __** - Book discussion with Mrs. Arminio before, during, or after school. Be prepared to discuss your book for about 10 minutes. Come prepared with the book and/or notes.  - Book discussion with Mrs. Arminio and a classmate before, during or after school. Be prepared to discuss your book for about 10 minutes. Come prepared with the book and/or notes.  - Book talk to the whole class (if you really liked the book). It's almost like a commercial for the book that gets them hooked on hearing the rest. Read an excerpt from the book that will help to “sell” your book to the audience. Tell only enough about the book to get their interest--don't ruin the story for them. Use props and visual aids to create interest. Approximately 3 minutes long. media type="youtube" key="ZQ2sCCrENQ8" height="315" width="420"

 - Write a piece of music to fit a character, event, or feeling from the story. Explain how and why you created the piece. Be prepared to perform it or record the performance and submit it.

**__ Writing: __** - Written book review with visuals (picture of book cover, characters, setting, etc) mounted on construction paper. This will be posted in the classroom.


 * Sample Book Reviews:**

**Book Review Components/ Qualities of a Good Book Review:** 

- Proof of active reading while reading. Options include sticky notes throughout the book, thinking statements in your agenda book covering the course of the book, or thinking statements in your reader’s journal covering the course of the book. - 2 reaction paragraphs to different parts of the book. Use RACES when writing.  - Poetry book – at least 3 original poems connected to the book. - Write a letter to the author. Tell him/her what you liked and disliked about the story and his/her writing style. Give them specific reasons and examples from the story to support what you say. Be sure that your letter is in the correct format. We will mail this letter.  - Quote a phrase or a section of the text that impressed you for some reason (beautiful language, interesting thoughts, meaningful to you for some reason). Explain why you chose that section. Also, be sure to tell where the quote fits into the context of the story. The example below are not from quotes or selections from a book. Your response will be slightly different in that you must example how the quote or section is connected to the novel (explain its significance).  

**__Drawing:__** - Comic strip of 2 important scenes from the book. - Original drawing //__or__// painting of 2-3 main characters //__or__// settings from the book with captions. - Design a large-scale poster for a film adaptation of the book. Include a synopsis of the story and a meaningful picture representing some aspect of the novel. Invent a catchy slogan or tagline to draw audiences to see the movie.  - Draw a map of where your story took place. It should contain areas where significant events happened. Use a key to describe these happenings. Be certain to include a title and label the appropriate areas. Detail, color, and accuracy are points to remember. - Sketch costumes for a character in the novel. The character needs 3 costume changes. For each drawing, explain why the outfit, accessory, and color is appropriate to its owner. How is the apparel useful or necessary in particular settings or situations?

If you have an idea for any category that you would like to complete that is not on the list, please see me. We will discuss your idea and go from there.

** Independent Reading Project Rubric ** Each project listed above will be graded based on the rubric below.

** Thoroughness ** || Relevant, telling, quality details support the project. || Supporting details and information are relevant, but one key issue or portion is unsupported. || Supporting details and information are relevant, but several key issues or portions are unsupported. || Supporting details and information are typically unclear or not related to the topic. ||
 * ** Knowledge of Book ** || Shows a deep understanding of the book. || Shows that the reader has a good understanding of the book. || The reader shows some understanding of the book, but more work is needed. || The reader shows only minimal understanding of the book. ||
 * ** Detailed/ **
 * ** Thoughtfulness/Originality ** || Product shows a large amount of original thought. Ideas are creative and inventive. || Product shows some original thought. Work shows new ideas and insights. || Uses other people's ideas (giving them credit), but there is little evidence of original thinking. || Uses other people's ideas, but does not give them credit. ||
 * ** Attractiveness/Composure ** || Makes excellent use of font, graphics, props, etc. to enhance the presentation. Cool, calm, and collected during presentation. || Makes good use of font, color, graphics, props etc. to enhance to presentation. Seems a bit nervous during presentation. || Makes use of font, graphics, props, etc. but occasionally these detract from the content. Seems very nervous during presentation. || Use of font, color, graphics, props etc. but these often distract from the content. Presentation is not understandable. ||

** Proper Heading ** = -1 point if not included (name, date, period, book title, and author)

** Extra Credit ** = If you go above and beyond, extra credit points will be based on your work.


 * Score ** : out of 16 **Grade:** out of 100


 * Here is a copy of the Project Proposal Form: **