Name____________________
Core/Subject______________
Date_____________________
Independent Reading!
You are required to be reading an independent novel of your choice at all times. You will also be
required to create an independent reading assignment (I.R.A.) based on a completed book every
month. Due dates for these projects will be given well in advance.
You must bring your book to class everyday. In class independent reading time is worth 10 points a
week, adding up to 100 points a quarter. You will lose 2 points for not bringing your book to class.
Additional points will be deducted for not reading during the allotted time. In addition to I.R.A.
projects, you may also be assessed through reading journal entries, book conferences, reading check
quizzes, book chats, etc.
There are times when you will be reading a class novel and an independent reading novel at the same
time, so expect to be reading at least thirty minutes every night.
In order to expose you to a wide variety of literature, some months a genre will be assigned to you, and
some months you will have your choice. Below is the tentative independent reading schedule for the
year:
August/September- Free Choice
October- Mystery
November- Free Choice
December- Holiday Memories
January- Free Choice
February- African-American literature
March- Classics
April - Autobiography/Biography/Memoirs
May- Free Choice
Independent Reading Assignments
I.R.A. Heading:
Name
Core
Date
I.R.A. activity #
Title/Author
Genre
Independent Reading Assignment Rubric:
Correct heading
______/ 2 pts.
Fulfills all requirements
______/ 15 pts
Creativity
______ / 10 pts.
M.U.G.S.
Neatness
______/ 10pts.
______/ 3 pts.
TOTAL: __________/ 40 pts
I.R.A. Choices!
DO NOT REPEAT ASSIGNMENTS. Branch out… Try something new… Be creative…
* We encourage you to create your own unique ways to respond to the novels you are readingjust make sure that Mrs. Precht or Mrs. Foley approves your idea first!
* Any writing should follow standard conventions and be grammatically correct. Please type if
your handwriting is difficult to read. Use paragraphs!! One-paragraph responses will not be
acceptable.
* Even though assignments are due once a month, feel free to prepare
assignments at any
time. If you are reading a part in a book that inspires a response, write it early!
1. Write about a memory or experience of your own that is similar to something have read about
it in the book. (1 page)
2. Write about a character you can identify with in the book and explain why. Give examples. (1
page)
3. Choose 4-5 passages from the book that you found especially powerful, intriguing,
important, etc. and explain why. (1 page of your own response, in addition to quotes)
4. Become one of the characters in the book and write a diary entry from that character’s point
of view. Be sure to give events that took place and his/her reaction to those events. (1 page)
5. Come dressed as a character in the book (or the author). Bring props that represent you as
well. Explain to the class the significance of each object and piece of clothing (at least five
objects please).
6. Write a letter to one of the characters or the author of the book. Give your reactions to
specific events that took place, ask logical questions, etc. (1 page)
7. Write a poem based on the plot or a theme of the book.
8. Illustrate a scene (with action!) that reflects a main event. Write 3-5 sentences about it.
Don’t forget to title your illustration. Design is important, so be creative.
9. Create a collage representing a main event, emotion, character, or theme of the book. Attach
a paragraph explaining the significance of each part.
10. Focus on the title. Why do you think the author selected this title? What is the significance
of it? Provide some alternative titles. (1 page)
11. Bring in a song that captures an important event, character trait, emotion, or theme from the
book. Bring in a copy the lyrics. Explain in detail how the song applies to your book or
attach a paragraph.
12. When you are finished, rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10. Give reasons for your rating.
Who should read this book? Who wouldn’t like it? Why? (1 page)
13. Compare a character from this book to another character from another book you have read.
In what ways are they similar or different? Explain the connection. (1 page)
14. Using the Internet or other resources from the library, conduct outside research on your
book. You could choose to find out more about the author, the time period, a particular place
in the book, an issue that is presented, etc. Write a summary of your findings and document
your sources. (I would suggest photocopying them and attaching them to your summary.)
15. What lessons can you learn from this book? Explain and support your ideas. (1 page)
16. Rewrite a significant event from the book as a script. Get others to act it out for you in class.
17. Pretend you are a character writing a letter to another character. What would that character
say to the other? Refer to main events that took place in the book and the character’s
reactions to those events. (1 page)
18. Create a book cover (front and back!) for your book. Include an illustration, paragraph
summary, reviews, etc.
19. Bring in a backpack or box filled with objects that represent a character. Explain each object
to the class and its significance to the character.
20. Write a sequel to the book or an extension. (1 page)
21. Create a small dictionary using important vocabulary from the book. (at least 20 words)
22. Rewrite a section of the book from another character’s point of view. (1 page)
23. Recruit a few friends and act out a scene from the book.
24. Create a map depicting the various settings of the book. Include a key or use labels.
25. Choose a famous person or someone you know who has a lot in common with a main character
from your book. Explain the similarities and differences. (1 page)
26. Find a poem that relates to your book. Attach the poem and write specifics about how it
relates to your book. (3/4 of a page)
27. Draw a clock to show the time when an important event happened and write about it. (1 page)
28. Write an alternate ending to the story. (1 page)
29. Bring in a purse or wallet filled with objects that pertain to a character. Explain each object
to the class.
30. Make a poster to advertise the book. Use persuasive techniques to “sell” your novel. Design
is very important, so be creative!
31. Create a timeline with important events and times.
32. Keep a reading journal and record your thoughts at the end of each period of reading. (at
least three ½ page entries)
33. Draw a comic book page complete with the bubble-style conversations showing an incident in
your book.
34. Use a journalistic style and write a news story about something that happened to one of the
characters. (1 page)
35. Make a travel brochure inviting tourists to visit the setting of the book. What types of
activities would there be for them to attend?
36. Prepare a list of 20 questions and answers for use in determining if other people have read
the book carefully.
37. Interview a character from the book. Write at least 10 questions and answers that delve into a
character’s thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story. (or tape this)
38. Imagine that you are the author of the book you have just read. Suddenly, the book becomes
a best seller. Write a letter to a movie producer trying to get that person interested in making
your book into a movie. Explain why the story, characters, conflicts, etc. would make a good
film. Suggest a location and the actors to play various roles. Do not do this for books
already made into movies, please. (1 page)
39. Read the same book as one of your classmates. The two of you can make a video or do a live
performance of Masterpiece Book Review, a program that reviews books and interviews
authors.
40. Make up a test for the book you read. Include 10 true/false, 10 multiple choice, and 10 short
answer essay questions. Provide answers.
41. Select one character for the book you read who has the qualities of a hero or heroine. Give
examples of these qualities and how they were displayed. (1 page)
42. Plan a party for the characters in the book. Design invitations for at least 5 characters.
Create an organizational plan of what they each would wear, what food would be served and
why, what games would be played or movies watched and why, etc.
43. Create and fill in a job application for a character in your book. Make sure he/she is
qualified for the position.
44. You are a prosecuting attorney putting one of the characters on trial for a crime or misdeed.
Prepare your case on paper. Provide all of your arguments, supporting them with facts from
the book.
45. Respond to at least 5 of the following prompts: This book made me… wish that, realize that,
decide that, wonder about, see that, believe that, feel that, hope that… Write a paragraph
response to each of the 5 prompts you choose.
46. Make a list of at least 10 proverbs or familiar sayings. Now decide which character in the
book you read should have followed the suggestion. Ex: “All’s fair in love and war,” “The
early bird gets the worm,” “A stitch in time saves nine.”
47. Create a book club with friends! Read the same novel and create a blog or a forum on
Moodle to discuss the novel. Each book club member must write at least five entries(See
Mrs. Foley or Mrs. Precht if interested in this project).