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MONTHLY BOOK PROJECTS

Each month you will be assigned a book genre, and either a book project or book comprehension questions. By the 5^th of each month, you must turn in the Book Selection Form signed by both you and your parents. Points for neatness and creativity will be included in your grade. You may choose the book project format from the attached list. You may only use each project idea once. On the chart below, you must document the book that you read for each month and the project type or questions. Some months you will be given a "free choice". This means that you may select a genre of your choice to read for that month’s project or questions. The books must be chapter books and at least 150 pages. For biography, a minimum of 100 pages is acceptable. If you are unsure about your book, please check with your teacher. The projects are worth 50 points and the comprehension questions are worth 25 points. Remember, you have an entire month to complete the book project. The quality of your project or questions should reflect the amount of time you have to work on it! Most of the reading should be done during DEAR time.

Book Project Questions Rubric

Title Page      1      2      3      4       5

Spelling       1      2      3      4       5

Grammar and Punctuation

     1       2       3       4        5

Complete Answers      1       2       3       4       5

Time and Effort      1      2      3      4      5

Comments:

Score ______/25

Book Project Options

Below are your choices for book projects.  Remember, you can only do a project ONE time!  You may not do the same project for another genre.  For example, if you choose to do the Coat of Arms for Historical Fiction, you cannot do another Coat of Arms project for the Mystery genre.  Some of the projects work better for certain genres.  Please make sure the project option will work with the genre you are assigned!  Plan carefully!

1. Coat of Arms-Design a coat of arms to represent the main character(s) of the story.  Decorate in detail the coat of arms with symbols that represent the character’s personality.  On the back of the coat of arms, write a detailed paragraph for each symbol that gives your reasons for including each item.  You should have one paragraph (5 sentences) per item!  The coat of arms should be poster board size.

2. Story Sequel-Type a two page sequel to the story.  (Remember to use final draft format.  See the writing tab on my website for this information!)  Use the information you learned about the characters as you read the book.

3. Newspaper-Create a newspaper with stories describing events that happened in the novel that you read.  Summarize the plot in one article, cover the weather in another, do a feature story on TWO of your favorite characters, and a comic relating to the story.  Include an editorial about the book, and FOUR advertisements that would relate to the story.  Please refer to a real newspaper for an example. 

4. Commercial/Advertisement- TYPE a script for a 50 second commercial encouraging classmates to read the book.  At the beginning of the tape, be sure to give your name, the book’s title and author.  This can be an audiocassette or a DVD.

Scrapbook-Please create a 10 page scrapbook highlighting major events in the book that you read.  One page should highlight the plot, one page for the characters, and one page for the setting.  The rest of the pages are to be designed by you!  Remember, you want people to know as much information about the book as possible by making this scrapbook! 

5. Dress Up-Dress up as your favorite character and act out your favorite scene.  You may have multiple characters involved in the skit.  Please be sure all characters have practiced and know what they are to perform.  A typed one page script must be included.

6. Life Sized Models-Create life-sized models of two of your favorite characters, and dress them as they are dressed in the book.  If pictures aren’t included, infer as to how they would be dressed.  Type TWO paragraph descriptions for EACH character including what their role is in the book and how the two characters relate.  Remember to use final draft format!  When presenting this project, it will be similar to a “puppet show”.    

7. Interview-Interview a character from your book.  Type at least 15 questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story.  This should be recorded and will be played to the class on the due date. 

8. Diary-Type 10 diary entries (each page should be at least ¾ page-final draft format!) that one of the story’s main characters might have kept before, during, or after the story.  Remember that the character’s thoughts and feelings are very important in a diary.  Each page must include a colored illustration (drawn by you-not printed off the computer!). 

9. Mini Stage- Build a mini stage setting of a scene in the book.  Include a one-page typed summary (final draft format) of what happened at this particular scene and what characters were involved.  Remember, the rest of your classmates have not read the book.  You will need to “set up the scene” (give them a little background information) so they will understand the scene you are describing. 

10. Tune Up-Create and perform an original song that tells the story of the book.  Please turn in a typed copy of your song. 

11. Live Reporting-Be a TV reporter and give an oral report of a scene from the book as if it was happening live.  This will be performed in front of the class.  Please turn in a typed script as well. 

12. You’ve Got Mail-Create FIVE different postcards that highlight the main events of the story.  Draw a picture on one side and explain what the scene illustrates from the story.  Pick TWO characters from the book.  On one postcard, write a message to another character.  On the other postcard, write a reply message to the other postcard. 

13. Vacation Time-Create a travel brochure advertising the setting of the story.  Please use actual travel brochures as a reference.  Suggestions of things to include: history, upcoming events, lodging, activities, local restaurants, etc.

14. Construction-Construct a diorama (3-D scene which includes models of people, buildings, plants, and animals) of one of the main events of the book.  Include a typed description of the scene.  This should be TWO to FOUR paragraphs in length.    

15. Research-Research a topic that was brought up in your book.  Type a one-page paper (final draft format) explaining the topic and how it was relevant in your book.  You must cite the sources that you used to complete the paper.  This means you will have a bibliography attached to your paper! 

16. Obituary-Type a one-page obituary (final draft format) for one of the characters in your book.  You must include family members, life accomplishments, and other vital descriptions. 

17. WANTED!-Make a “wanted” poster for one of the characters or objects in your book.  Include the following information: a drawing or cut out picture of the character or object, a physical description of the character or object, the character’s or object’s deeds or misdeeds, other vital information, the reward offered for the capture of the character or object.  This project should be completed on a poster board. 

18. Where in the World?-Research and type a one-page report (final draft format) on the geographical setting of your story.  Include an explanation as to why the setting was important to the effect of the story.  Cite any sources you used to help complete the project.  This means that you will have a bibliography attached to your paper! 

19. Party Time! - Plan a party for the characters in your book.  In order to do this, complete each of the following tasks: design an invitation to the party which would appeal to all the characters, imagine that you are one of the characters and describe what each of the guests would wear and why, tell what food you would serve and why, games or entertainment you will provide and why your choices are appropriate, how three of the characters will act at the party, and describe the type of party. 

20. Help Wanted-  Obtain a job application from an employer in your area.  Fill out the application as one of the characters in your book might do.  Before you obtain the application, be sure that the job is one for which your character in your book is qualified.  You will also need to include a resume.  In your resume, include the character’s name, contact information (address, phone, and email), objective statement (why the character is qualified for this job), education, previous work experience, references, and volunteer experience.  Your resume should be typed. 

21. Book Jacket-Create a book jacket for the book you just finished.  You will need to obtain an unused manila folder.  On the front of the folder, list the title of the book, the author, and the major characters. Draw a picture of the story climax (turning point of the story), with a two-sentence description. The picture should not be the same as the current book jacket. Be creative and think about important events in the book to draw.  On the back of the folder, write a brief synopsis of what happened in the course of the story. Choose additional pictures that relate to the book to complete the design. DO NOT COPY WHAT IS ON THE BACK OF the BOOK! Write three to four brief reviews of the book on the inside of the folder.  On the inside of the folder, please write FOUR brief reviews of the book.  Feel free to look on the internet for an example of a professional book review.  If you have extra room on the inside, fill the space with additional information that would help advertise the book and make people want to read it! 

22. Compare/Contrast- Compare and Contrast the book to the movie in a one-page typed paper (final draft format).  You must have examples of similarities and differences in your paper. 

23. Free Choice- If you have an idea for a project you would like to complete, write out a detailed description of your project idea and give reasons why you think it fits with this genre or book.  You must be prepared and know the exact steps to carry out the project.  Please bring your written project description to your teacher for approval.  Once you have been given permission from your teacher, you may begin the project!     

Book Project Questions

Reading Comprehension Questions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper and turn in on the due date for each book report. Please include a title page stapled to your questions. See example at bottom for a reference.  The title page is a separate piece of paper.  Your title page should be the first page that is seen.  The second page will have your questions and answers on it.  The questions and answers need to be typed in final draft format. 

1.       When and where did the story take place?

2.     Pick one main character from your story and describe them in detail. What three character traits did he/she portray and give evidence from the text to support your answer.

3.      What problems did the character have to solve and how was it solved?

4.     Explain in detail your favorite part and your least favorite part.

5.      Would you recommend this book to a friend? Explain your reasoning in detail.

6.      How was the book an example of text-to-text, text-to-world, and text-to-self?

7.      If you could ask any character in this book a question, who would you ask and what would you ask them? Why would you ask this character that question?

8.      Summarize what happened in the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story in detail. This should be about one paragraph for each section of the book.

9.      If you were asked to change the title of the book, what would you name it and why?

10.  If you could be a character in this book, which character would you want to be and why?

11.    If you were to add a chapter to this book, what would happen next?