**VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION! DO NOT LOSE THIS HANDOUT AS NEW ONES WILL NOT BE PROVIDED!**
INDEDPENDENT READING PROJECT
To end this quarter, you are required to complete an independent reading project. This project
will require you to select your own novel that meets the requirements below, and complete each of
requirements detailed below.
We WILL have in class reading days, when you will be expected to bring your novel and read for
the assigned time. You will receive a grade for each reading day; if you do not bring your novel/waste
your time, you can expect to receive zeros. If you have finished your book and we still have reading days
left, plan to work on different elements of your final project during the given periods.
BOOK CHOICE FORM
You will need to complete a book choice form explaining what book you want to read and why.
YOUR BOOK MUST BE APPROVED BY MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED ON THE BOOK CHOICE
FORM!
INTERACTIVE READING LOGS
On FOUR of the in class reading days, you will be asked to complete an “Interactive Reading Log”
(think of it as a journal) that details your thoughts and what you are learning from the book as you read.
You will be provided the topics on the days we complete these in class.
INDEX CARD READING CHECKS
On in class reading days when there is no reading log, or on days when reading is assigned as
homework, you will be asked to complete an index card reading check. You will fill out an index card as
demonstrated below.
NAME
CLASS PERIOD
TITLE OF BOOK
DATE
1. I began reading on page ____________
2. I ended reading on page ____________
3. 3-5 sentence summary/description of what happened in what you
read:
4. I really like/dislike what happened in this part of the book because….
FINAL PROJECT
Using the provided list, you are to choose TWO activities (the written response/book review and 1
of the creative options) to complete upon finishing the book.
REQUIRED ELEMENTS/DUE DATES/GRADING RUBRIC:
Element_______________________
_
___Due Date
_____________Points___________________
Book Choice Form
Friday, March 9th
30 points
Interactive Reading Logs
As Assigned
25 points each
Index Card Reading Checks
As Assigned
10 points each
Final Project
Friday, March 23
100 Points
**VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION! DO NOT LOSE THIS HANDOUT AS NEW ONES WILL NOT BE PROVIDED!**
INDEPENDENT READING—FINAL PROJECT OPTIONS
Your final project is to be completed AFTER you have finished reading the novel. You are
REQUIRED to have TWO parts to the project—everyone must have the written part AND a creative part
to their project. The final project will be worth a 100 grade.
WRITING REQUIRMENT (This MUST be TYPED & a minimum of two 3.8 paragraphs)
Write a 2 paragraph (minimum) book review detailing your thoughts and opinions about the
novel—THIS IS NOT A SUMMARY OF THE BOOK! In two clear and well focused paragraphs, your essay
will focus on your opinion of the book; you will support your opinion by discussing various literary
aspects of the novel. Again, this is NOT a summary of the plot/action/story!!
We will read a some examples of book reviews in class so you have an idea of what you should be
doing. Some starting points/guiding questions for your review could include the following:
-Could you relate to the conflict?
-How is the theme relevant to our lives today?
-Was the climax exciting? Disappointing?
-Could you identify with any character?
-What message/theme did the novel send?
-Were the characters believable or unrealistic?
CREATIVE PROJECT OPTIONS—CHOOSE ONE!
** These should be presented on poster board or computer paper; notebook paper is NOT acceptable!
1. Choose one scene from the novel. Write a quote from this scene and illustrate it. On the back, in 3-4
sentences, explain why you chose that scene.
2. Create AND illustrate a timeline of events in the novel. Your timeline must include 7 events (be
sure to include the exposition, climax, and resolution), and a small picture depicting the actions you
choose for your timeline.
3. Create a David Letterman style “Top Ten List” detailing 10 lessons that the main character learned
throughout the book/lessons you learned from reading the book.
4. Imagine that there is going to be a movie made out of the novel, and create a “soundtrack” that
would be played. Choose at least 5 songs. Type a list that tells the title/artist of each song, along
with a 2-3 sentence explanation of what incident in the book the song relates to/would be played
during if it were being used in a movie. You can include specific lyrics from the song to
demonstrate connections. You may choose to burn the songs onto a CD as well, but this is not
required.
5. Create a “Facebook” or “MySpace” profile for the protagonist of the novel. On a piece of computer
paper, your HAND MADE profile should include a picture, their hometown, and a listing of the
character’s interests/activities, any “favorites (books, movies, quotes) that may have been revealed
in the novel, and a “wall” that shows them interacting with some of the other characters in the book
and gives details as to the plot. **You are not to “make up” any of the details—it should all come
from the reading!
6. Become a casting agent. If your book were to be made into a movie, which famous stars you would
you choose to play the roles of each character? Support your choices with 2-3 sentence
explanations (appearance, experience, similarities, personality, etc.) for each character choice.
**VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION! DO NOT LOSE THIS HANDOUT AS NEW ONES WILL NOT BE PROVIDED!**
INDEPENDENT READING PROJECT—BOOK CHOICE FORM
Name: ____________________________________________________
Period: __________________
BOOK CHOICE REQUIREMENTS
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Minimum length of 150 pages
A book that you have not read before
A book that has not been made into a movie
A book that is one coherent story or biography (it cannot be a series of short stories or vignettes such
as Chicken Soup for the Soul)
Must be appropriate for school AND be approved by me
BOOK CHOICE FORM
Title of book I want to read: ______________________________________________________________
Author: ____________________________________________________________________
# of Pages: _______________________________
Year Published: _____________________
What caught your attention about this book?
I am interested in reading this book because (2-3 sentence explanation required):
Provide a brief description of what the book is about (use the book jacket for this):
By signing below, I am pledging that:
A) I have never read this book before AND it meets ALL other requirements
B) I will complete the required elements of this assignment
C) I understand that I personally am responsible for pacing myself and completing all
required elements on the assigned due dates, with the book & project to be completed
by ________________________________________________.
Student Signature: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________