Monthly Book Reports


 Our Goal is to have one Book Report each month to show our thinking on what we are reading and to show accountability for the 20 minutes a night that is required. Below are projects that students are able to choose from ( 1 project per month and can’t do the same project twice) along with which genre they should be focusing on.  They are as follows:


                               (Books need to be at least 100 pages long.)


  1. September: Realistic Fiction
  2. October: Historical Fiction
  3. November: Nonfiction
  4. December: Poetry (at least 30 pages)
  5. January: Newbery Award
  6. February: Biography/Autobiography
  7. March: Your choice
  8. April: Mystery
  9. May: Science Fiction


I will accept the projects the last week of the month and must be completed the last school day of the month.



Book Project Options
Below are your choices for book projects.  Remember, you can only do a project ONE time!  You may not do the same project for another genre.  For example, if you choose to do the Coat of Arms for Historical Fiction, you cannot do another Coat of Arms project for the Mystery genre.  Some of the projects work better for certain genres.  Please make sure the project option will work with the genre you are assigned!  Plan carefully!
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.  On the back of the coat of arms, write a detailed paragraph for each symbol that gives your reasons for including each item.  You should have one paragraph (5 sentences) per item! 
2. Story Sequel-Type a two page sequel to the story.  (Remember to use final draft format.  See the writing tab on my website for this information!)  Use the information you learned about the characters as you read the book.
3. Newspaper-Create a newspaper with stories describing events that happened in the novel that you read.  Summarize the plot in one article, cover the weather in another, do a feature story on TWO of your favorite characters, and a comic relating to the story.  Include an editorial about the book, and FOUR advertisements that would relate to the story.  Please refer to a real newspaper for an example. 
4. Commercial/Advertisement- TYPE a script for a 50 second commercial encouraging classmates to read the book.  At the beginning of the presentation, be sure to give your name, the book’s title and author.  Be creative on how you will present the commercial/advertisement.
Scrapbook-Please create a 5 page scrapbook highlighting major events in the book that you read.  One page should highlight the plot, one page for the characters, and one page for the setting.  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 by making this scrapbook! 
5. Dress Up-Dress up as your favorite character and act out your favorite scene.  You may have multiple characters involved in the skit.  Please be sure all characters have practiced and know what they are to perform.  A typed one page script must be included.
6. Life Sized Models-Create life-sized models of two of your favorite characters, and dress them as they are dressed in the book.  If pictures aren’t included, infer as to how they would be dressed.  Type TWO paragraph descriptions for EACH character including what their role is in the book and how the two characters relate.  Remember to use final draft format!  When presenting this project, it will be similar to a “puppet show”.   
7. Interview-Interview a character from your book.  Type at least 15 questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story.  This should be recorded and will be played to the class on the due date. 
8. Diary-Type 10 diary entries (each page should be at least ¾ page-final draft format!) that one of the story’s main characters might have kept before, during, or after the story.  Remember that the character’s thoughts and feelings are very important in a diary.  Each page must include a colored illustration (drawn by you-not printed off the computer!). 
9. Mini Stage- Build a mini stage setting of a scene in the book.  Include a one-page typed summary (final draft format) of what happened at this particular scene and what characters were involved.  Remember, the rest of your classmates have not read the book.  You will need to “set up the scene” (give them a little background information) so they will understand the scene you are describing. 
10. Tune Up-Create and perform an original song that tells the story of the book.  Please turn in a typed copy of your song. 
11. Live Reporting-Be a TV reporter and give an oral report of a scene from the book as if it was happening live.  This will be performed in front of the class.  Please turn in a typed script as well.  ( You may use Green Screen if you would like here at school)
12. You’ve Got Mail-Create TWO different postcards that highlight the main events of the story.  Draw a picture on one side and explain what the scene illustrates from the story.  Pick TWO characters from the book.  On one postcard, write a message to another character.  On the other postcard, write a reply message to the other postcard. 
13. Vacation Time-Create a travel brochure advertising the setting of the story.  Please use actual travel brochures as a reference.  Suggestions of things to include: history, upcoming events, lodging, activities, local restaurants, etc.
14. Construction-Construct a diorama (3-D scene which includes models of people, buildings, plants, and animals) of one of the main events of the book.  Include a typed description of the scene.  This should be TWO to FOUR paragraphs in length.   
15. Research-Research a topic that was brought up in your book.  Type a one-page paper (final draft format) explaining the topic and how it was relevant in your book.  You must cite the sources that you used to complete the paper.  This means you will have a bibliography attached to your paper! 
16. Obituary-Type a one-page obituary (final draft format) for one of the characters in your book.  You must include family members, life accomplishments, and other vital descriptions. 
17. WANTED!-Make a “wanted” poster for one of the characters or objects in your book.  Include the following information: a drawing or cut out picture of the character or object, a physical description of the character or object, the character’s or object’s deeds or misdeeds, other vital information, the reward offered for the capture of the character or object. 
18. Where in the World?-Research and type a one-page report (final draft format) on the geographical setting of your story.  Include an explanation as to why the setting was important to the effect of the story.  Cite any sources you used to help complete the project.  This means that you will have a bibliography attached to your paper! 
19. Party Time! - Plan a party for the characters in your book.  In order to do this, complete each of the following tasks: design an invitation to the party which would appeal to all the characters, imagine that you are one of the characters and describe what each of the guests would wear and why, tell what food you would serve and why, games or entertainment you will provide and why your choices are appropriate, how three of the characters will act at the party, and describe the type of party. 
20. Help Wanted- Obtain a job application from an employer in your area.  Fill out the application as one of the characters in your book might do.  Before you obtain the application, be sure that the job is one for which your character in your book is qualified.  You will also need to include a resume.  In your resume, include the character’s name, contact information (address, phone, and email), objective statement (why the character is qualified for this job), education, previous work experience, references, and volunteer experience.  Your resume should be typed. 
21. Book Jacket-Create a book jacket for the book you just finished.  You will need to obtain an unused manila folder.  On the front of the folder, list the title of the book, the author, and the major characters. Draw a picture of the story climax (turning point of the story), with a two-sentence description. The picture should not be the same as the current book jacket. Be creative and think about important events in the book to draw.  On the back of the folder, write a brief synopsis of what happened in the course of the story. Choose additional pictures that relate to the book to complete the design. DO NOT COPY WHAT IS ON THE BACK OF the BOOK! Write three to four brief reviews of the book on the inside of the folder.  On the inside of the folder, please write FOUR brief reviews of the book.  Feel free to look on the internet for an example of a professional book review.  If you have extra room on the inside, fill the space with additional information that would help advertise the book and make people want to read it! 
22. Compare/Contrast- Compare and Contrast the book from the movie in a one-page typed paper (final draft format).  You must have examples of similarities and differences in your paper. 
23. 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 be prepared and know the exact steps to carry out the project.  Please bring your written project description to your teacher for approval.  Once you have been given permission from your teacher, you may begin the project!          
24.   Make a Picture Book- Make a small picture book with at least 4 scenes from the book. The first picture should include the title.  Include captions (words) with your pictures. (1 sentence/page). Your name, number, and date should be on the back of your project.   (You may also use the app on the IPAD called Book Maker for this project)
25. Write 10 Sentences-Write 10 sentences telling about the book. Answer the following questions in the sentences.
a.    Who was the book about?
b.    What happened in the beginning?
c.    What did you learn?
d.    Where does the story take place?
e.    What was your favorite part?
f.    Tell at least 3 interesting things from the book.
Include the title of the book, author and number of pages.

     


Monthly Book Report Rubric

Name:___________________________________

Project/Genre:_____________________________

Comments:________________________________________________

1
2
3
4
Title, Author and Genre
Title, Author and Genre not included
Only the Author, Title, or genre is included
Only 2 are mentioned
All 3 (Title, Author, and Genre) are mentioned
Mechanics
More than 4 capital letters, punctuation, spelling, and/or grammar
3-4 in capital letters, punctuation, spelling, and/or grammar
2 or less in capital letters, punctuation, spelling, and/or grammar
No errors in capital letters, punctuation, spelling, and/or grammar
Organization
Report is unorganized and hard to follow
Report is somewhat organized and can be followed
Report is organized and can be easily followed
Report is very well organized and can be easily understood and followed
Creativity
No Creativity and project does not blend well with genre
Somewhat Creative and choice of project blends ok with genre
Report is creative and done as to what the criteria asks for as well as blends well with the genre
Report is very creative and goes above and beyond what the expectations are for the project and the genre
Presentation
No eye contact, voice is too low and unable to understand what the presenter is saying
Some eye contact and uses a “presenter” voice part of the time
Looks at the audience the majority of the time; uses a presenter voice throughout the entire presentation
Has eye contact the entire time throughout the presentation; uses a presenter voice along with making expression an emphasis



Partner-Graded Rubric

Name:___________________________________

Comments:________________________________________________

1
2
3
4
Title, Author and Genre
Title, Author and Genre not included
Only the Author, Title, or genre is included
Only 2 are mentioned
All 3 (Title, Author, and Genre) are mentioned
Mechanics
More than 4 capital letters, punctuation, spelling, and/or grammar
3-4 in capital letters, punctuation, spelling, and/or grammar
2 or less in capital letters, punctuation, spelling, and/or grammar
No errors in capital letters, punctuation, spelling, and/or grammar
Organization
Report is unorganized and hard to follow
Report is somewhat organized and can be followed
Report is organized and can be easily followed
Report is very well organized and can be easily understood and followed
Creativity
No Creativity and project does not blend well with genre
Somewhat Creative and choice of project blends ok with genre
Report is creative and done as to what the criteria asks for as well as blends well with the genre
Report is very creative and goes above and beyond what the expectations are for the project and the genre
Presentation
No eye contact, voice is too low and unable to understand what the presenter is saying
Some eye contact and uses a “presenter” voice part of the time
Looks at the audience the majority of the time; uses a presenter voice throughout the entire presentation
Has eye contact the entire time throughout the presentation; uses a presenter voice along with making expression an emphasis



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