I will be making Wiki pages instead of Google Docs because, as Alex said, you must have a Google account. I do not want students signing up for Google because that is a parental decision.
Instead, I will be making a Wiki page for each student. Fortunately, or unfortunately, all the pages will be accessible to all members of the two classes. I want to encourage collaboration.
I will be using the e-mail addresses the students gave me to set up accounts. Each student will be able to log into the wiki and edit his/her page. Each student can also comment on other students work and/or collaborate. Just know that any changes made to pages are tracked.
I will set this up by the end of the week, but I wanted to show the students the assignment.
Do not freak out over the size of this assignment. While there are a lot of questions to answer, I am not looking for a lot of writing. I will establish the requirements soon.
Just know that the all the asignments will lead up to the book sharing project at the end.
- Many grades will be completion.
- Some questions will be scored for detail, but I will let you know which ones I will really focus on.
Title of your book:
Author of your book:
Reason why you chose the book:
What connections/lessons have you made while reading the book?
(Update this frequently.)
Reading Log
Date Pages Read Brief Comment
Following are activities to be completed for your novel. The use of technology is encouraged, although not required, in the completion of activities and may include web pages, blogs, text, or multi-media representation where appropriate. Other activities to demonstrate learning in each of the parts will be considered in consultation with Mr. Bosler.
If there is anything you are unsure of at anytime...ASK! The entire project is worth about half of the 4th Marking period grade.
Novel Selection
· Select a novel appropriate for your grade and reading level.
· Read the first chapter to be sure it is a novel that appeals to you.
· Once you have chosen your book, let your teacher know the title and author.
· Once you have told your teacher your selection you may change your mind, but you need my approval.
Vocabulary
CC.8.R.L.4 Craft and Structure: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
As you read your novel, make a list of words that you come across that are unfamiliar to you. When you have finished reading the novel, choose ONE of the following activities. Include a title and any necessary headings.
1. Vocabulary Log: Choose 15 words from your novel that you do not know the meaning of. Record the dictionary definition for each word (quote the page number for each word used).
2. Create a Crossword of 15 words from your novel. Provide a clue for each word and the answer key.
3. Create a Thesaurus: Select 15 words from your novel that seem overused or boring. Rewrite the sentence from the book in which the word was found with a better one (quote the page number for each word used). .
4. Identify 15 interesting words from your novel and tell why you think each is interesting (quote the page number for each word used).
Reading Journal (Connect & Question)
Your task is to keep a reading log, and to complete 3 Reader Responses.
Response 1 Guiding Questions - (for the early chapters of the book)
1. What is the time and place of the book? What evidence in the book tells you this?
2. Name and describe the main character in the book. Describe him/her physically and describe his/her personality and history, if known. Use evidence from the book. Then give your impression of him/her.
3. Name and describe a secondary character in the book. Describe him/her physically and describe his/her personality and history, if known. Use evidence from the book. Then give your impression of him/her.
4. Describer the relationship between the two characters. Include their history and details of their relationship. Explain the significance of their relationship to the book.
5. Describe one important event in the book and explain why it is significant to the story, the plot, the characters, or the theme.
6. Describe any text-to-text connections you have made so far.
7. Describe any text-to-self-connections you have made so far.
8. Explain any text-to-world connections you have made so far.
9. Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
10. Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.
Response 2 Guiding Questions (for the middle of the book)
1. If the time or place changes during the book, explain how and give examples. How does this switching serve the story?
2. What is the general feeling or mood of the book? Give specific examples of how the author creates that feeling or mood. (CC.8.R.L.4 Craft and Structure: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.)
3. Compare and contrast two characters psychologically. To do this consider their behavior and personality. Consider whether their physical descriptions match or differ with their behaviors and attitudes.
4. Give an example of a conflict or conflicts between: i) two people ii) a person and his/her conscience(internal conflict) iii)a person and society iv) a person and an animal or nature v)a person and a spiritual/supernatural being
5. Who is the narrator of the story? Is s/he inside or outside of the story? What is his/her relationship to the story?
6. What is your reaction to a relationship, event, behavior or message/theme of the book. Be clear about what you are reacting to and exactly what makes you respond as you do.
7. Choose a sentence or phrase that attracts you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the book, and its value to you.
Response 3 Guiding Questions (for the final chapters of the book)
1. If there is any special language used (dialects, foreign words, slang, etc.) give examples and explain is use and purpose. What is the effect?
2. How does the author use humor, irony, symbolism, or metaphors? Give examples and explain the effects.
3. What is the climax of the novel? What major conflicts lead up to it and what is the resolution afterward?
4. Give an alternative outcome for your story. What would have needed to change for this alternative ending to come true? Explain the different effect the new outcome would have compare to the original.
5. What is the theme or themes in the novel? Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot. Give evidence.
6. What did you learn from this novel? In answering this, you may comment on any aspect of the novel including how it is written.
Signposts in Literature
As you read, underline or identify the following. Below, give at least one example of each signpost and explain the significance of each.
· Contrasts and Contradictions
· Aha Moments
· Tough Questions
· Words of the Wiser
· Again and Again
· Memory Moment
Story Element Activities (Visualize, Synopsis, Theme)
Your task is to complete an activity for each Story Element (Character, setting, plot). Choose one activity from each selection. Include titles and any necessary headings.
Section One: Character: After reading your novel, identify the antagonist(s) and protagonist(s) within the story. Remember, protagonists and antagonists are not necessarily people.
1. Explain how a character in the book changed in the story.
2. Created a “Wanted Poster” for a main character in the novel.
3. Explain why you would like to have one of the characters as a friend.
4. What problems did the major character(s) have and how did they solve them?
5. Write an interview with one of the major characters.
6. Write several diary entries made by one of the major characters.
7. Make a character box. In a shoebox, include 10 items that would be meaningful to the main character. On a separate sheet of paper, in a paragraph, explain why you have chosen each object.
8. Create a character web that connects all of the characters in the novel and describe the relationship between them.
9. Create another character that would fit into the story. Write another chapter or choose one even to rewrite using that character. Remember to include a good description of your character.
Section 2- Setting: Examine the setting of the novel. Select a particular scene to represent. Be sure to consider the location, time period, function, and atmosphere of the setting.
1. Sketch a scene in the book depicting part of the plot. (I am marking for detail and accuracy not drawing talent.) Explain your illustration and why you chose to draw this scene.
2. Draw a color map of where a major part of the story takes place. Label the major landmarks or points of interest.
3. Do a collage of a major theme of your novel or one that illustrates certain parts of your novel.
4. Choose an important scene in the book, write a script for the scene and produce the scene on video with voice-over telling about it.
5. Make a 3D model of a major scene from the novel.
Section 3- Plot: Consider the “shape” of the story as it moves from introduction, through a series of related incidents building to a climax, and coming to a conclusion.
1. Rate each chapter of the novel according to the level of excitement and complete a Climax-Tension Graph. Summarize the reasons for your ratings.
2. Find three songs that seem to relate to your novel. Write out the lyrics and then write an explanation of how they relate.
3. Do several pieces of art that illustrate the major events of the novel. Write and explanation of how they relate to the story.
4. Create a Power Point presentation of the book.
5. Create a story map that shows the major events of the story.
Reader Reflection Assignment (infer and transform)
When we “read between the lines” or look for deeper meaning, we are inferring. When that deeper understanding leads to a change in the way we see things of do things, we are transformed. Your task is to look for the deeper meaning in the novel you read, making specific references to the text and defending your position with sound reasons, and to discuss how this understanding changed you. Choose one of the following activities. Include a title and any necessary headings.
1. Describe a strong feeling or emotion that you experienced as you were reading this novel and what caused that feeling.
2. Give your opinion of the author’s writing style. What images captured your interest? How did the author create suspense?
Book Talk
A book talk is an opportunity to share a book you have read with others. All the activities above have prepared you for your book talk by helping you understand your novel in detail through connections, visualizations, questioning, analysis, synthesis, and possibly transformation. Your task is to assemble a presentation to share and promote your novel according to the following criteria.
You must address the following in your presentation.
1. Introduce the book in a creative way. Be sure to state the title, author, and the genre of the novel.
2. Briefly summarize the book without giving away the ending. Provide information that will make them want to read it too. Read aloud an interesting section.
3. Describe the main characters from the book. Who are the protagonists/antagonists? What were their roles within the story?
4. Describe the setting of the book. Tell is when and where the story takes place.
5. Tell about some ways in which you connected with the novel (text-text, text-world, text-self).
6. Tell about the underlying message you thought the novel was trying to communicate.
CC.8.R.L.2 Key Ideas and Details: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
CC.8.R.L.3 Key Ideas and Details: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
CC.8.R.L.6 Craft and Structure: Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.
