independent+reading+project


 * Ms. Brooks **
 * Academic English **

** Independent Reading Project Options and Requirements **
 * Project Due: December 19, 2011 **


 * Directions: ** Prepare a project based on the novel you chose for your independent reading project this semester.

Choose any one of the following possibilities for each of your two projects (one for the fall/winter semesters and one to be completed in the spring)

Projects will be presented to the class informally.

You must do a different project each time (no project may be done more than once).


 * Projects involving art/making things: **

1. Create a **picture book** based on your novel. Use either photographs, magazine pictures, drawings/etc. to represent things that happened in your novel. Put them together in booklet form with a front and back cover. Portray at least 10 main scenes/events in the novel and use a written caption with each picture to explain what is happening. Picture book should tell the whole story (ending & all).

2. Create a **movie poster** to go with a book you read. Select current actors and actresses to play major characters. On the back of the poster (or a separate sheet of paper), explain why you chose those particular actors and actresses for the parts.

3. Create a **collage** on the themes/ideas presented in your book. Give it a title, such as “A Search for Identity,” “Growing Up”/etc. Remember, the theme is the main idea, often the lesson, that the author wants you to think when reading the book. (Poster-sized) Write a brief summary (about one page) that explains the images on your collage and how they relate to your book.

4. **Sketch scenes** from the novel that correlate to each point on a plot structure diagram. Label each scene (Rising action, climax, falling action, etc…) Write a summary of what is happening in each of the scenes you sketch.

5. Design and create a **children’s book** telling a child’s version of your novel. Not all novels will work for this project(consider whether the theme of the novel is one small children would understand). Books should have illustrations and a cover, too. 6. Create a **monthly wall calendar** with a series of memorable scenes. Each month should have an illustration/picture and a caption, in addition to the dates and days/etc. (Do all 12 months.)

7. Create and produce an **alphabet book** (for little kids). Show knowledge of characters and events through each letter of the alphabet. Should have illustrations and a cover.

8. Create a **puzzle book** based on your novel. Include such things as crosswords, search-a-words, cryptograms, word scrambles, riddles, etc. Must include at least five different puzzles (with an answer key!) and have a cover.

9. If your book involves travel from one setting to another, create a **travel brochure** depicting the places the main character(s) went. Explain how each place is significant to the plot of your book.

10. Create a **board game** based on your book. Design and build the board, as well as any playing pieces, cards, spinners or dice, or other objects needed to play. Type up a set of instructions for how to play (and win) the game.

** Projects Involving Writing **

11. Write **a magazine or newspaper-type** review (critiquing and discussing) on your novel. Examine reviews of other books in magazines/newspapers to give you ideas on form/etc. (Must be at least 300 words, typed.)

12. Write a **letter to the author of the book** you read that explains your views of the novel. You might want to explain what the book taught you, why the book was particularly special to you, what you liked/didn’t like about it, suggest ideas for a sequel/etc. Use specific examples from the book to explain what you mean. *For extra credit, if your author is living, find his/her address and bring the letter to school to be mailed to the actual author. (At least 300 words, typed, business letter format.)

13. Create an **annotated booklist**. If you have read at least three similar books (i.e. books by the same author, of the same genre, from a certain time period/etc.), write a brief summary for each of the books. The summary should introduce the book, compare it to the other books of its kind, and critique it. (Each of the three summaries should be at least 100 words, typed.)

14. Create a **unit of study** for your book. The unit should include each of the following items: a set of 10+ discussion questions with answers, a unit test, a worksheet, and a study/review game.

15. Write a **comparison/contrast essay** comparing your novel to either a movie version of the novel or another book by the same author. (At least 350 words, typed; five-paragraph form.)

16. **Research the author’s life** to find out what may have influenced him/her to write about the topics in the ways in which he/she did. Write a report describing your findings. Make sure to include a bibliography of sources you used for this report. (At least 350 words, typed.)

17. Didn’t like the ending of your novel? **Write a new one**! (Or write an epilogue: explain what happened to all of the main characters AFTER this novel is over.) Ending or prologue must still be based on events leading up to the original ending in the real story. (At least 350 words, typed.) If you choose this option you should also include a photo copy of the last chapter of your book (you can do this in the school library).

18. Turn your novel into a **short play**. Write the screenplay (script) complete with stage directions and recommend actors and actresses to play each main part.

19. Make a **newspaper** about your book; include feature stories for the front page (with headlines), opinion articles from the “editor,” display advertisements, classified ads, and other categories that are relevant to your story (obituaries, sports articles, entertainment calendars, etc.).

** Projects Involving Technology **

Note: Many of the projects in the other three sections also involve technology, whether it is publishing or word processing software or using the web to search for images, sound clips, or ideas for your projects.

20. Design and build a **web page** or site (or PowerPoint) about your book; include a synopsis (don’t give the ending away!), introductions to main characters, and other information and graphics/images to “sell” your book (e.g., convince others to read it).

21. Use photo editing software to create a **slide show** of pictures that represent people, places, and things in your novel. Make sure each picture in your slide show has a description of how it relates to your book.

22. Record a **podcast** where you “interview” the main character of your novel. (should be between 5-10 minutes long). You must also submit the script you use for the interview.