INDEPENDENT READING PROJECT

DUE: MAY 19TH

OVERVIEW OF PROJECT:
Choose a book that youre interested in reading, identify and analyze the literary elements of the
book, and share it with the class.

BOOK CHOICE REQUIREMENTS:

Your book must be at least 200 pages and on your reading level (no Percy Jackson or Diary of a
Wimpy Kid). It cannot be a movie. It cannot be a book youve been assigned for a class or have
read before. You must get your book approved by your teacher.

REQUIREMENTS OF PROJECT:
This project has two parts:
1. Complete the overview questions below.
2. Create a product of your choice from the list below. (If you have a product in mind thats
not on the list, ask me about it.)
Overview Questions (to be completed on your own sheet of paper)

1. Author:
2. Title:
3. Number of Pages:
4. Genre and Subgenre of Book:
5. Plot Diagram: (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution)
6. Character Descriptions: (2 major, 1 minor; written in complete sentences)
7. Setting Description: (historical time, place, atmosphere, etc. written in complete
sentences)
8. Point of View: (first, second, third limited, third omniscient; from what perspective; written
in complete sentences)
9. Theme: What bigger message do you get (about life, relationships, friendships, love,
society, growing up, human existence, family, good, evil, etc) from this book? (statement
and explanations in complete sentences)
a. Theme statement:
b. First quote which illustrates the theme with explanation:
c. Second quote which illustrate the theme with explanation:
10.What is your response to the book? (Why did you like/dislike it? Would you recommend it?
What was your favorite part? Favorite quotes? Favorite characters? Etc.) (Written in
complete sentences; page minimum.)

Product Options

1. Poem: Write a poem about your book. Include figurative langue in you poem such as
similes, metaphors, and personification. Your poem should be at least four stanzas and be
published neatly on white paper. Variations include: 1) Write a poem about a specific
event in the story, 2) Choose a familiar melody like Mary had a Little Lamb and change
the lyrics so they pertain to the story, 3) Write a poem about your story, include
characters, setting, plot, and theme, 4) Pretend you are a character in the story and write
a poem from that persons point of view.
2. Letter to the Author: Write a two page letter to the author. This should consist of your
personal, thoughtful response to the reading. Write in your own voice. This should be
your reflection on the book, not a summary of the book. In your letter you may: discuss
your reaction to certain quotes or events within the book; ask about inspiration for or the
basis for events and characters within the book; compare events and characters to those
people you know or celebrities; discuss your reading process (what it was like to read the
book, how it made you feel, your pace, etc); provide feedback or suggestions for
 improvement; ask for answers to any questions you were left with at the end of the book;
and/or discuss the authors style of writing.
3. Photography: Take photographs and put together a photo show based on something
from your story. Next to each picture write an explanation as to what each picture
represents. Approximately ten pictures should be included in your submission.
4. T-Shirt: Design a t-shirt on either a real t-shirt or a paper one for your book. Make sure
that it has pictures and quotes from the book. Explain to the class why you designed the
t-shirt this way. Be specific and use examples. Variation: If an article of clothing is
significant in the story use that article instead of the t-shirt. For example, create your own
version of the traveling pants for The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
5. Cartoon: Create ten (or more) paneled cartoon over your book. Make it look like the
Sunday edition of the newspaper by using color and ink. Make it colorful and neat. Make
sure to read it/explain it to the class.
6. Songs: Write and perform a song that pertains to the story. Be sure to explain your song
and provide written lyrics for your teacher . You may do this live or submit a video.
7. Puppet Show: Using the characters from your book, create 3-4 puppets and write a
puppet show over a favorite part of your book. Perform to the class live or submit in video
format.
8. Picture Book: Create an illustrated picture book version of your novel. It must be neat,
colorful, and written for children. It should be approximately ten pages.
9. Promotional Video: create a video for the movie version of your book. It must capture
the genre, mood, and intended audience of your book. Use music (appropriate) and act
out pivotal scenes from your book to generate interest. Basically, sell it.
10. Create Your Own! Youre creative and awesome! Come up with your own idea to
demonstrate your knowledge and connect with your book. Then, tell me about it so that I
can approve it. You must get approval in advance for this option.

RUBRIC:

A B C F
OVERVIEW -Student demonstrated -Student -Students -Students
QUESTIONS mastery in demonstrated understanding of understanding of
understanding of proficiency in literary elements literary elements is
literary elements. understanding of needs not proficient.
-Assignment is literary elements. improvement - Assignment is
complete, accurate, and -Assignment is mostly -Assignment is incomplete and/or
exemplary (20/24) complete and accurate incomplete and/or inaccurate (16/24
-Answers written in (19/24) inaccurate (17/24) or less)
complete sentences -Answers written in -Answers are not -One word or
-Answers are neatly complete sentences written in complete fragments as
written -Answers are neatly sentences answers
-Answers supported written -Answers are not -Answers are
with elaboration. -Answers supported neatly written sloppy or illegible
with some elaboration. -Answers are not -Answers lack
supported with elaboration.
enough
elaboration.
PRODUCT -Assignment is -Assignment is -Assignment needs -Assessment is
complete and complete and improvement incomplete or
exemplary proficient -Little creativity inadequate
-Creativity and effort -Creativity and effort exhibited in -No creativity
abounds in product. exhibited in product. product exhibited in
-Originality displayed in -Some originality -Product lacks product
product. present in product originality -No originality
-Attention to detail -Some attention to -Attention to detail exhibited
exhibited in product. detail exhibited lacking -Little to no
- Writing exceeds -Writing meets -Writing missing attention to detail
designated designated some requirements in product
requirements (page requirements -Grammatical -Writing is
length, format, etc.) -Few grammatical errors present in insufficient or
-Writing is free of errors present in writing incomplete
grammatical errors. writing. - Students -Grammatical
-Student demonstrated -Student understanding of errors impede
mastery in demonstrated plot and character understanding
understanding plot and proficient in dynamics needs - Students
character dynamics. understanding plot improvement. understanding of
and character plot and character
dynamics. dynamics is not
proficient.