During the next month students will select and read a teacher-approved mystery chapter book and create a cereal box book report. This should be a new book, one you have not read before.
Selecting a Teacher-Approved Mystery Book
The book should be a “just right” book, meaning it should be at your independent reading level based on your DRA and reading lexile scores.
I will provide this information for you, so that when you go to the library, the librarians can also assist you with selecting a mystery that is at your independent reading level. If the book is too easy or way too challenging for you, you MAY have to go back to the library to select a more appropriate book. If you cannot make it to the Oak Lawn Public Library, please talk to me as soon as possible and we will make arrangements with Mrs. Madden at our school library .
You must have your book approved by Mrs. Anderson by
Wednesday, October 10 th . You may bring your mystery in any time before that, but in order for you to be on track with this project you must show me the book you selected by Wednesday, October 10 th . If the book is brought to me after this date, you will lose points on your project.
Reading Logs

Students will be required to track the dates and time spent reading the mystery. The time spent reading the book must be done at home, not in school. Attached to this letter is your reading log. Keep it somewhere safe at home or in your homework folder. There will be checkpoints in October to make sure you are on track with the reading project. You must bring in your reading logs on the following dates for your conference with Mrs. Anderson:
 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 th
 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 th
 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 nd
If you forget your reading log at home or do not have it filled out completely or correctly you will lose points on your final grade.
Project Format: Cereal Box
Students will decorate a real cereal box with illustrations and information related to the book the read using the directions attached.
Please note: A model of the report and mini-lessons on how to write/create the report will be presented to the students in class during the month of October.
In November, they will also present their cereal to their guided reading group.
Directions for Creating Cereal Box Report:
FRONT OF BOX: Use a piece of white or light colored paper to cover the front of your cereal box. ( You will want to create the cover before gluing it on your box!)
Include the name of the cereal and illustrate it.
Invent a name for the cereal that is related to the title of your book and sounds like a cereal. Do not use the exact title of the book. Choose a shape for the cereal as well as colors and ingredients that

relate to the book. For example, for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, you might invent a cereal called
Wizard Wands, a toasted oat cereal in the shape of miniature lightning bolts. Be creative!!
RIGHT SIDE: Make a list of ingredients that includes the story elements: Characters and Setting. Under the heading “Ingredients,” list the main characters and write two sentences describing their role in the mystery.
Then describe the setting. How does the setting contribute to the mystery ? You can use the template to be given in class or cover the side with white or light colored paper and create it in your own way.
LEFT SIDE: Describe the mystery of the story. What was the problem? What were some clues that the book left for the characters to solve? How was the mystery solved?
BACK OF BOX: Write a summary of your mystery. Your summary should include a detailed beginning, middle, and end. Your summary also should include how the mystery was solved.
TOP OF BOX: Include the title, author, number of pages, and number of stars you would give this book if you were a book critic. The maximum number of stars would be 5.
PRIZE: Cereal boxes often include a prize. Your prize must be something the main character could have used in the book or something that reminds you of the main character. You can even include a picture of the prize on the front of your box to let the reader know what is inside the box.
BOOK APPROVAL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10th (or sooner): Book must be brought into school and approved by Mrs. Anderson

BRING READING LOG TO SCHOOL
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 th : Reading Log Check Point
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 th : Reading Log Check Point
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 nd : Reading Log Check Point
CEREAL BOX REPORT DUE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12 th : Cereal Report Due
Please note if there are any problems or concerns along the way it is your responsibility to talk to Mrs. Anderson as soon as they appear. If you are not communicating any issues or concerns prior to due dates, your final project grade will be significantly impacted . It is your responsibility to stay in constant communication with Mrs.
Anderson or Mrs. Conroy throughout the project.
Parent Letter
Dear Parents,
The students will be required to read a mystery at their independent reading level throughout the month of October. They will be creating a cereal box report for their mystery, which is due in November. Please read over the attached directions carefully with your child.
In the next couple weeks, I will be modeling and teaching the students on how to write and create the report correctly. Any template needed, will be given at the time of the mini-lesson and will be posted to my teacher page.
The most important thing for your child to work on over the next couple weeks is selecting an appropriate mystery from the Oak Lawn Library, reading the book every day at home, and keeping the reading log updated. If you cannot make it to the public library with your child, please notify me as soon as possible so that I can make arrangements with the school librarian.

I f you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you,
Mrs. Anderson
Please cut, sign, and return the portion below.
___________________________________________________________
___ Yes, I read and reviewed the directions and expectations for the Cereal Box Report with my child.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Student Name
Signature
Parent