Pre-AP English II Outside Reading Assignment

Second Nine Weeks

Book Requirement: Fiction with a 200 page minimum and no movie version. Teacher must approve book by Monday, November 8, 2010 for homework grade (25 points) Due Dates: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 and Monday, December 6, 2010

Suggestions: Look for books with storylines that interest you. Please pick a book that you have NOT already read in the past. Expose yourself to an author you’ve never read before. NO ONE will be allowed to do the books from the Twilight series.

Assignment: I. Reader’s Response Journal (75 Points) Part I: Write a one paragraph, typed response for each question. (45 points) Entry 1: After reading the opening chapter, write a paragraph stating your personal response to its style, plot, characters, etc. Predict the ending. Entry 2: At the halfway point of the novel, write a paragraph stating your personal response to the novel thus far. What is the structure of the novel? Are there any characters or events that have stood out to you? What pleasures/problems are you having with the book? Entry 3: At the conclusion of the novel, write your personal response to the ending. Did you like the way the book ended? Why or why not? Part II: Record three quotations from the novel that are important for revealing theme, symbolism, the title’s significance, or any other “quotable quotes.” Briefly explain why you selected each in 2 or 3 typed sentences and include a citation. (30 points)

** Due Date: Wednesday, December 1, 2010

II. Presentation: Favorite Character or Event (75 Points)

You will give a presentation on your favorite character or event from the novel you read. Be creative in thinking of how you want to present it. You may NOT do a PowerPoint presentation. Other options you have could be a movie trailer, a monologue (of favorite character), poem, song, poster, skit; you could even dress up like your favorite character. If you have an idea beyond these options, just ask me; I encourage your creativity. Whatever you do, make it memorable, and show me that you have put time and effort into the project.

** Due Date: Monday, December 6, 2010 Rubric: I. Reader’s Response Journal: 75 Points

______/ 45 Includes a one paragraph, insightful, reflective, and typed response for Entries I, II, and III that clearly addresses the topics given

______/ 15 Includes three relevant and significant quotes from the novel that are accompanied with a citation

______/ 15 Includes a 2-3 sentence typed, insightful explanation for each quote chosen that clearly explains why the quote is important to the novel

**Note: It should be understood that the writing in the reader response journal will be graded for appropriate grammar and sentence structure as well as spelling.

______/ 75 Points

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II. Presentation: 75 points

______/ 15 Creative, clearly portrays your favorite character or event in the novel, and inspires others to read the book, etc.

______/ 15 Demonstrates effort, time, and careful consideration

______/ 15 Provides evidence that you have read and understand the characters and/or main plot events in the book (either visually or verbally)

______/ 15 Presented in a neat and organized manner depending on the type of project submitted

______/ 15 Presenter shows enthusiasm when in front of the class and gives the presentation in a timely, creative, and informative manner

______/ 75 Points

Total project is worth 150 points.

INDEPENDENT READING PROJECT OPTIONS SHEET Projects involving art/making things: 1. Create a picture book based on your novel. Use either photographs, magazine pictures, drawings/etc. to represent things that happened in your novel. Put them together in booklet form with a front and back cover. Portray at least 10 main scenes/events in the novel and use a written caption with each picture to explain what is happening. Picture book should tell the whole story (ending & all). 2. Create a movie poster to go with a book you read. Select current actors and actresses to play major characters. On the back of the poster (or a separate sheet of paper), explain why you chose those particular actors and actresses for the parts. 3. Create a collage on the themes/ideas presented in your book. Give it a title, such as “A Search for Identity,” “Growing Up”/etc. Remember, the theme is the main idea, often the lesson, that the author wants you to think when reading the book. (Poster-sized) 4. Design a children’s book telling a child’s version of your novel. Not all novels will work for this project (consider whether the theme of the novel is one small children would understand). Books should have illustrations and a cover, too. 5. Create a monthly wall calendar with a series of memorable scenes. Each month should have an illustration/picture and a caption, in addition to the dates and days/etc. (Do all 12 months.) 6. Create and produce an alphabet book (for little kids). Show knowledge of characters and events through each letter of the alphabet. Should have illustrations and a cover. 7. Create and construct a mobile showing different characters or scenes from the book. 8. Create a puzzle book based on your novel. Include such things as crosswords, search- a-words, cryptograms, word scrambles, riddles, etc. Must include at least ten different puzzles (with an answer key!) and have a cover. 9. If your book involves travel from one setting to another, create a travel brochure depicting the places the main character(s) went. 10. Make a newspaper about your book; include feature stories for the front page (with headlines), opinion articles from the “editor,” display advertisements, classified ads, and other categories that are relevant to your story (obituaries, sports articles, entertainment calendars, etc.). All information must be relevant to the story. 11. Create a scrapbook with pictures, words, and/or symbols that apply to the main character or event on which you are focusing. It needs to be 8-10 pages in length.

Projects involving performance/demonstration: 12. Create a TV commercial advertising your book. Perform your commercial using any necessary props/etc. Commercial should be at least 60 seconds long. Remember—it’s a commercial—you’re trying to get the audience to go out and buy/read the book—don’t give away the ending! (You will turn in a script with your project.) 13. With another “actor,” perform an interview with the writer of the book. You will turn in a script with questions to be asked and answers to be given. 14. Do a PBS/History Channel-type documentary on a character or event from your book. 15. Perform a dramatic monologue. “Be” a character from your novel and use your voice and costume to create the illusion to the audience that you are that character. Speak in first person and review some of the most interesting experiences that happened to “you” in the novel. 16. Write a song (music and lyrics/etc.) that tells the story of the novel and sing it for the class. 17. Write a narrative poem about the character or event on which you are focusing. 18. Give a book talk--a short speech that gets the audience interested in reading your 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.

Projects Involving Technology Note: Many of the projects in the other two sections also involve technology, whether it is publishing or word processing software or using the web to search for images, sound clips, or ideas for your projects.

19. Design and build a web page or site (or Photo Story) about your book; include a synopsis (don’t give the ending away!), introductions to main characters, and other information and graphics/images to “sell” your book (e.g., convince others to read it). 20. Use photo editing software to create a slide show of pictures that represent people, places, and things in your novel (Photo Story). Must be 2 mins. minimum.