Newsletter 5/1-5.5

Welcome Back!

Book Project Due: 4/24

Book Report

This week you will select a teacher-approved chapter book from our classroom library or school library. Over the next 2 ½ weeks, you will read your self-selected book and create a book report of your choice at home. You will be reading your book in class. Your book report is due Monday, April, 24th.

Outline:

Setting and Time (5 pts. each)

• Describe the time (period of history) and setting (place) of the story. If the time in which the book takes place is not stated, make an educated guess from details you read. If the book is a fantasy, state that, and describe the time as past, present, future, or a fantasy world combining different times.
• Setting describes the physical features of the place(s) in which the book happens. Include the country, state, city or town, if known. If characters are on a journey, describe the different geographic areas through which they pass. Describe the home, whether its location is rural or urban, school, and any other descriptive details of the place in which the book is set.

Main Character(s) (5 pts. each)

• Choose the main character(s) in the book. The main character is central to your conflict and main event. Give a detailed physical description of the character, including age, size, features of face and hair, build, and any distinguishing characteristics of smile, walk, posture, etc.

Select four important character traits the main character shows in the book. For each trait selected, include two examples of this personality trait from the book.

The Conflict (10 pts.)

• Describe the most important problem the characters in the book face. Some examples of universal conflicts in books include character against nature, character against another character, character against himself, and character against the unknown (magic, fate). Use at least three of the most important specific examples from your book to support your choice of the conflict.

The Solution (10 pts.)

• The solution describes the events in which the conflict you have described is resolved. Ex: If the conflict is character against himself, the main event would describe how your character changes in order to solve the conflict, and perhaps the price the character must pay to achieve this change.

The Conclusion (5 pts. each)

• Summarize this book using the five hand summary.
• Describe the overall theme of the story and give examples of why this is the theme. Examples of theme include: friendship, love, courage.
• Describe the author’s purpose in writing the book. Some examples of purpose might be to entertain, to explain, or to persuade. The author’s purpose is the reason for presenting a story in a certain way.
• Would you recommend this book to a classmate? Explain why you would and why you would not recommend the book (its strengths and weaknesses)
  
  
  *Make sure to include the Title and Author of the book somewhere on your project.
           Total Points: /55pts.
  
  
  
  
  Book Report Options
  
  
  *Each project must include all of the information from the “outline”. Be creative & have fun!
  
  
  Storyboard (tri-fold poster)
  • Be as creative as possible when designing your storyboard. Borders, sequins, feathers, markers, ANYTHING that captures the essence of the story and grabs attention while looking tasteful. Each section should have a label of what it is describing. Responses must be typed up.
  
  
  
  
  Create a book trailer
  • Prepare a short “trailer” about the book you read. It should be created using imovie and posted on YouTube (I will help with this!) Remember, a trailer is like a commercial- you are trying to “sell” this book to someone. Be convincing and support your opinions with specific reasons. Be creative and PRACTICE!
  • If you plan on making trailer, you will need to also hand in a typed up response that includes all of the information needed (if not already included in your trailer)
  
  
  Pizza or cake project
  
  
  • You can make either a “cake” or a “pizza” that includes all of the information required. Each slice should be labeled and include the required information. If you decide to make a pizza, it should be put into a pizza box. On the cover you should include the title of the book and the author, as well as a picture (either drawn or printed that is representation of your book). Each response should be typed. Remember, be creative! Make it look realistic & unique!
    
    
    T-Shirt project
    
    
    • Choose a plain white t-shirt and turn it into your book report. Write on it, add pictures (paint, draw, etc.), glue things onto it that represent the book. You will need to include the summary, a favorite quote or two, the names of the main characters, as well as the title and author’s name. Make sure that you don’t leave many blank spaces and add lots of details and colors!
    • For this project you will need to also hand in a typed up response that includes all of the information required.

Newsletter 4/10-4/14