Miss Livingston

*Each month you will be assigned a different book genre.  You will read a book in that genre and then complete either a Book Project OR Comprehension Questions over the book you read.(see chart below for schedule of whether you are doing a book project or questions)

*You must show your book to Miss Livingston for approval by the 5^th of each month.

*Books must be a chapter book and contain at least 150 pages.  A minimum of 100 pages is acceptable for biography books.

*The projects are worth 50 points and the questions are worth 25 points.  You have an entire month to work on these and your finished product should reflect the amount of time you have to work on it.

*You will have time during DEAR and Guided Reading to read your book and work on projects/questions.

*Each project can only be completed one time.

*Book Projects will be presented to the class.

READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

*Questions must be answered in complete sentences.  Use part of the question to form your answer.  For example:

Question:  When and where did the story take place?

Answer starter:  The story takes place…

*Questions must be typed or neatly written.  Skip a line between each answer. 

1.    When and where did the story take place?

2.   Pick one main character from your story and describe them in detail.  What three character traits did he/she portray?  Give examples from the text to support your answer.

Examples of character traits:  smart, sneaky, funny, sad, creative, curious, shy, loyal, grouchy, lonely, etc.

3.   What problem did the character have to solve and how was it solved?

4.   What was your favorite part and why?  What was your least favorite part and why?

5.   Would you recommend this book to a friend?  Why or why not?

6.   How was this book an example of Text to Text, Text to World, and Text to Self?

Text to Text Connections

What does this remind me of in something else I have read?

How is this text similar to other text I have read?

 How is this text different than other text I have read?

How did something else I have read help me understand this text better?

Text to Self Connections

What does this remind me of in my life?

What were my feelings when I read this?

How is this text similar to my life? 

 How is this text different than my life?

Have I experienced something like this?

How did any experience in my life help me understand this better?

Text to World Connections

What does this remind me of in the real world?

How is this text similar to things that happen in the real world

How is this text different to things that happen in the real world?

How did my knowledge of something in the real world help understand this text better?

7.   If you could ask any character in this book a question, who would you ask and what would you ask them?  Why would you ask this character that question?

8.   Summarize what happened in the beginning, middle, and the end of the story in detail.  This should be about one paragraph for each section of the book.

9.   If you were asked to change the title of the book, what would you name it and why?

10.If you could be a character in this book, which character would you want to be and why?

11. If you were to add a chapter to this book, what would happen next?

You must include a title page with your questions:

BOOK PROJECT

*You can only do each project one time.

*Make sure your project fits with the genre/book you are reading.

*Read all directions carefully and make sure you include all necessary elements for the project.

*Practice presenting the project before you present to the class.

BOOK PROJECT OPTIONS

1.     Coat of Arms – Design a coat of arms to represent the main character(s) of the story.  Decorate in detail the coat of arms with symbols that represent the character’s personality or symbols that depict events from the story related to the character.  On the back of the coat of arms write one paragraph describing each symbol.  This project should be done on poster board.    Also, include a paragraph giving a summary of your book.

2.   Story Sequel – Write a sequel to the story and include illustrations and a book cover(be sure to put your name as the author of the book).  Your written sequel must be at least 5 paragraphs.  You can type or neatly handwrite the final copy.

3.   Newspaper – Create a newspaper with stories describing the events related to the book that you read.  Your newspaper must include:

a)    Headline related to the book

b)  One article that summarizes the plot(be sure to include the beginning, middle, and ending of the story)

c)   Do a feature story highlighting two of your favorite characters

d)  Include 4 advertisements that would relate to your book

e)   Include pictures to go with the summary article and character articles

Refer to a real newspaper for ideas on this project.

4.   Scrapbook –Create a 10 page scrapbook highlighting major events in the book that you read.  One page should highlight the plot(include 1 paragraph each for the beginning, middle, and ending of story).  One page should highlight the setting and one should highlight the characters.  The rest of the pages are to be designed by you – remember you want people to know as much information about the book as possible.

5.   Diary – Type 10 diary entries(each entry should be 3/4 of the page) that describe a characters thoughts/feelings before, during, and after the story.  The entries should describe actual events from the story.  Each page must contain a colored illustration.

6.   Mini Stage/Diorama – Build a mini stage or diorama setting of a scene in the book.  Include a 2 paragraph typed or neatly handwritten summary of what is happening in the scene.  You must also include a 3 paragraph typed or neatly handwritten summary describing the beginning, middle, and ending of the book. 

7.   You’ve Got Mail – Create five different postcards that highlight main events of the story.  Draw a picture on one side and explain what the scene illustrates from the story.  Create two postcards that reflect characters from the story.  Pick two characters from the story.  On one postcard, write a message to another character.  On a second postcard, have that character write a reply.  You must also include a 3 paragraph typed or neatly handwritten summary describing the beginning, middle, and ending of the book.  You should have 7 postcards when finished with this project plus your written summary of the book.

8.   Wanted! – make a “Wanted” poster for one of the characters in your book.  Include the following information:  a drawing or cut out picture of the character, a physical description of the character, why the character is wanted, and the reward offered for the capture of the character.  Include any other information you feel is important.  This project should be done on a poster board.  You must also include a 3 paragraph typed or neatly handwritten summary describing the beginning, middle, and ending of the book.  Put the summary on the back of your board.

9.   Book Jacket – Create a book jacket for the book you just finished.  Fold a large piece of construction paper in half to create the book jacket.  On the cover of the book jacket list the title, author, and illustrator(if there is one) and draw a picture from the book.  THIS MUST LOOK DIFFERENT THAN THE REAL BOOK.  On the back of the book jacket write a brief summary of the book.  DO NOT COPY WHAT IS ON THE BACK OF THE REAL BOOK.  On the inside of the book jacket list the characters, setting, and write 3 paragraphs describing the beginning, middle, and ending of the book.  Include illustrations with these items.

10.Free Choice – If you have an idea for a project you would like to complete write out a detailed description of your project idea and give reasons why you think it fits with this genre or book.  You must bring your written project description to your teacher for approval.  You may begin your project once it has been approved.