Accelerated Reader (AR) Requirements and Project List

Name: ______Date: ______

Overview: Each 9 weeks, students will be responsible for completing Accelerated Reader (AR) Projects. In addition to reading an AR book from a pre- selected list, each student is required to complete a Reader Response, take and pass the computer-generated AR reading quiz, complete one project from the provided list, and do an oral presentation over their chosen project. AR Projects promote literacy and strengthen skills in reading comprehension, fluency, and writing. Students will be given some time to read during class, but the majority of their reading and all project completion will happen outside of the instructional day.

Directions: Select and complete one AR project from the list below to be turned in on the assigned dates. You must pick a different book and project each time from the provided lists. Please plan ahead and manage your time. No late AR projects will be accepted. If you have questions about your AR book or project please see me in a timely manner.

AR Project Due Dates 1. September 23, 2014 2. October 14, 2014 3. November 18, 2014 4. January 13, 2015 5. February 10, 2015 6. April 14, 2015

AR Reader Response: You must complete a reader response form before taking an AR test on your selected books. Forms will be available in the classroom and on Schoolwires. Ms. Doyle will designate a due date for Reader Responses in an effort to keep students on target to finish their books in a timely manner.

AR Tests- You must take and pass the AR test over the book that you will be presenting for your AR Project before the project due date. Ms. Doyle will designate a due date for AR quizzes in an effort to keep students on target to finish their reading in a timely manner. Ms. Doyle will allow time during class for AR testing, but recommends utilizing scheduled Library time to accomplish this task.

AR Project Presentations: You will have 3 minutes to present your project to the class. Be sure to finish your project in a timely manner and practice presenting it to your family or a friend. There is an obvious difference between rehearsed presentations and on the fly presentations. Make sure your presentation is not a retelling of the story, but more a brief overview of the novel and a more in-depth account of the thinking behind your project.

Accelerated Reader Book Projects: Please read project instructions carefully. In order to receive full credit you must have all required components listed in the project description. You will complete 6 different independent projects over the course of the school year. [Type text] [Type text] [Type text]

YOU ARE ONLY LIMITED BY YOUR OWN CREATIVITY!

Creative & Critical Thinking Book Interactions

1. What if? - Identify a turning point in the book's plot, then switch it up. What would have happened if the series of events didn't happen that way? Remember, try not to spoil the book when you present, but do submit a detailed description of the scene you chose and your switcheroo to your teacher. Illustrate your changes in a before and after type demonstration.

2. Create a character - Create a character that would fit into the world of your novel. Write a character sketch and then construct a scene in which the new character interacts with one or more of the main characters of the story. The character and the interaction must remain true to the setting and voice of the original author. Be able to explain your choices.

3. Change the setting: Take a favorite scene or chapter from the text and re-write it in a different setting. For example, how would Cinderella look and sound in a modern, urban setting? Illustrate your changes in a fashion of your choosing, and submit a detailed description of your choices.

4. Children’s Story: Turn the novel you read into a children's story by retelling the plot in a simple way with vocabulary appropriate for youngsters. Make sure your creation looks like a children's book, complete with a hard cover, an appealing book jacket with the title and author, and colorful illustrations above and below your writing. DO NOT use lined paper, and make sure all writing is either typed or written neatly with a black marker or pen.

5. Shoebox Setting: Make a shoebox diorama of a scene from the book you read. Pay special attention to the setting. Do not use random toys to create your scene. Recycle paper goods, etc. and get creative! Write a three-paragraph piece explaining the scene and and attach it to the diorama.

6. Puppet Show: Develop and present a puppet show about the important events in the story. You will need to write a script and turn it in with your project.

7. Character Dissection: Use a large piece of construction paper or tag board to draw a big picture of the main character. On the side of the picture write something the character thought and draw a line from the Name: ______Date: ______

comment to the character's head. Next, write something the character heard and draw a line to the ears. After that, write something the character said and draw a line to the mouth. For something the character saw draw a line to the eyes and for something the character felt, draw a line to the heart. Find as many possibilities as you can. Be prepared to cite evidence for your choices when you present.

8. Scrapbook: Choose one of the major characters in your book and, as that person, put together a scrapbook of special memories and mementoes. Letters, photographs, postcards and souvenirs are all good items for the scrapbook and can be easily created! Think about who your character is close to and what he/she does for fun. Remember, this should represent your chosen character! Draw, create, collect, or find at least six souvenirs that the main character would have put into the scrapbook. These objects should reflect events in the story or important aspects of your character. Include an explanation next to each object describing its significance. Be true to your character.

9. Character Diary: Select a character that appealed to you. Generally, you should write a diary entry for each chapter or you may write a diary with at least one week’s worth of entries that this person might have kept. Be sure it relates to the events in the book.

• A diary entry should be in first person from the selected character’s point of view.

• The entry should include a summary of what happened in the chapter OR elaborate on a major scene.

• The diary entry should include a personal statement from the character’s imagined point of view.

10. Create a word collage: Write the title of the book in the center of a sheet of paper (not lined paper), then, search through magazines and newspapers to find words, phrases, and sentences that either represent the book or explain something about the book. Students should concentrate on theme, setting, plot, and characters during this exercise. Requirements: a minimum of 50 words, phrases, and sentences, paper should be fully covered and provide the viewer with a strong visual impact that reveals a great deal about the story. Your presentation should include the reasoning behind your collage choices. Simply restating the title, author, and main character will not suffice.

11. **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. Use a video recorder to create and edit your trailer. There are also a number of web resources you can utilize; if you have a question about using a web resource, ask Ms. Doyle. [Type text] [Type text] [Type text]

12. **Create a graphic novel: Utilize a web resource such as http://www.comicmaster.org.uk/ to construct your take on the novel you read. You could simply create a foldable and create by hand if you wish.

13. **Create an interactive/illustrated timeline: Make a colorfully illustrated timeline of events in the book. Make sure your timeline includes at least 10 events with a 2 sentence description and small picture, drawing, or clipping describing each event. This project can be completed with or without technology. Some free web resources include: http://www.tiki-toki.com/ and http://www.capzles.com/ .

14. **Create an animated or stop-motion video: Create a 2-3 minute mini movie. Kevin Hodgson has an absolutely fantastic site, Making Stopmotion Movies that will walk you through the entire process!

15. **Comic Strip: Students can either choose to re-create a specific scene from the text or do a synopsis of the story as a whole. In either case, students should include important lines, quotes, and thoughts from the text. ReadWriteThink offers a cool interactive tool in their Comic Creator. Can also be completed sans technology!

**Technology Optional – In the ever-advancing technological world we live in today, I whole-heartedly encourage students to take advantage of free web resources/technology to enhance their learning. Keep in mind that these resources should not replace learning or substitute for old-fashioned hard work, but should offer the student an additional outlet for demonstrating their understanding of core content and encourage creativity and alternative thinking. I am by no means a technological guru, but if a student has a question about the applicability of a resource, it is their responsibility to discuss their questions with me in a timely manner.