All books must be of appropriate difficulty for your grade level and reading abilities.  Do not expect an A for books that are well-below your ability.  If you have questions about the difficulty of a book—ASK.

 

OPTION #1 – BOOK TALK

 

After reading your book, schedule a time outside of class to visit with me about your book.  I will ask questions about a variety of aspects of your book, including characters, plot, and setting.  Book talks must take place OUTSIDE OF NORMAL CLASS TIME, typically either before or immediately after school, and must be signed up for at least 1 day in advance.

 

 

OPTION #2 – BOX BOOK REPORT     (Grading Form)

 

This is an oral book report given for the class.  You will write specific information on each side of your box, as described below.  You will then present your book to the class using your box to help you discuss it.  Make it a presentation; don’t just read your box.  I will collect our box after your presentation and will grade it along with your oral presentation. 

 

     Side one    ---         Title of book and author’s name

                                    List other works by this author (Remember punctuation)

     Side two    ---         Who is your favorite character and why?

                                    Who is your least favorite character and why?

     Side three   ---        Plot—what happens in the book?

     Side four    ---         Describe the setting.  Was it a good setting choice?  Did it help to set the mood and theme of the story?  Why or why not?

     Side five    ---         What was the author’s message, the moral of the story?  Why did he/she write this book? What point is he/she trying to make?

     Side Six    ---          What did you like most about the story?  What could be improved to make it an even better story?

 

 

OPTION # 3 – ACCELERATED READER POINTS

 

Students will read appropriately-leveled books from

the school library, then take Accelerated Reader tests over those books.  The number of points needed is based on student grade level.  To earn points, students must hand in the TOPS report that prints after each test.  Hold them, and hand in all at the same time.

              8^th Grade:  20 points = A     15 points = B       10 points = C        5 points = D

            10^th Grade:  30 points = A     25 points = B       20 points = C     15 points = D

            12^th Grade:  40 points = A     35 points = B       30 points = C     25 points = D

 

I do not round points.  For example, 39.7 points does NOT get a senior an A; that will be a B+.

 

 

OPTION # 4 – GAMES BOOK REPORT     (Grading Form)

 

Create a board game or card game based around your book.  Include specific characters, events, and settings from the novel.   Make sure it tells what happens in the book, not just who is in it.  Be sure to include specific directions for how to play the game.

 

 

OPTION #5 – CROSSWORD PUZZLE BOOK REPORT     (Grading Form)

 

Create a crossword puzzle containing at least 25 characters, settings, or events from the novel.  Clues should tell me about the characters and plot of the story.  Include both an empty grid and an answer grid. 

 

You may (but do not need to) use one of the following web sites to create your puzzle:  puzzlemaker.com or puzzle-maker.com.  (NOTE:  Puzzle-maker now charges to print, but there are ways around this.  See me for more information.)

 

 

OPTION #6 – MOBILE BOOK REPORT     (Grading Form)

 

Show your understanding of important people, events, and objects in your book by making a mobile.  You will demonstrate your knowledge of the book by identifying the importance of the objects on your mobile and relating them to your book.

Contents:

            1.         Mobile structure on which objects can be hung.

                        Title and Author of book must be displayed clearly.

            2.         At least 8 objects that represent people, events, or objects in your book.

            3.         On a card attached above, below, or to each object, tell the importance of the

                        object as it relates to the book

            4.         Write a plot summary and your opinion of the book—no less than ½ page single

                        spaced or 1 full page double spaced.

 

 

OPTION # 7 – CREATE A MOVIE     (Grading Form)

 

Pretend that you are a movie producer who is turning your book into a movie.  You need to:

1.    Create a video trailer for your movie.  This should be a quality film approximately 3-5 minutes long that catches the viewer’s interest and hints at major aspects of your movie.  It should be made available to Mrs. Peterson on zweb, DVD, or jump drive.

2.    Describe the main characters’ personalities, then choose an actor/actress (living or dead, it doesn’t matter) that you think would be a good choice to play each of those characters.  Tell me why you chose these persons. 

3.    Choose a song that would make a good theme song for the movie.  Why did you choose it? How and why does it fit in?  (Please include the lyrics of the song.)

4.   Plot outline.  Briefly, no less than ½ page single spaced or 1 page double spaced, tell me what happens in your book.

Numbers 2-4 should be written in paragraph form.  Spelling and grammar will count. Be creative.

 

 

OPTION #8 – WRITE A TEST     (Grading Form)

 

Write a test over your book.  Be sure to include the title of your book at the top of the page.  Your test must include at least 50 questions in at least 3 different formats (multiple choice, true/false, short answer, essay, fill in the blank, etc).  An answer key must also be provided which includes corrections to any false statements in a true/false section.  Be sure to include directions for each section.  Spelling and grammar will count.

 

 

OPTION #9 – POWERPOINT PRESENTATION     (Grading Form)