INDEPENDENT READING

You are required to be reading an independent book of your choice at all times. You will also be required to create an independent reading assignment (I.R.A.) based on a newly completed book every quarter. Due dates for these projects will be given well in advance, and it is wise to finish and turn in your IRAs early. You may choose to read the same text as a friend or small group of students and collaborate on an IRA together. In addition to I.R.A. projects, you may be individually assessed via reading journal entries, book conferences, or plot summaries.

You must bring your book to class every day.. The expectation is that students will read at least 25 minutes at home.

In order to expose you to a wide variety of literature, sometimes a genre will be assigned, and sometimes you will have a choice. Below is the tentative independent reading schedule for the year:

1st Quarter- Free Choice

2nd Quarter- Mystery / Thriller

3rd Quarter- Free Choice

4th Quarter- Science Fiction or Fantasy

INDEPENDENT READING ASSIGNMENTS

In the upper corner, include this heading:

Name

Core

Date

I.R.A. project #

Title & Author

Genre

You will be graded according to this rubric:

Correct heading ______/ 3 pts.

Fulfills all requirements ______/ 10 pts.

Creativity & effort ______/ 10 pts.

Mechanics.Usage.Grammar.Spelling. ______/ 10pts.

Neatness ______/ 2 pts.

TOTAL: ______/ 35 pts.

*** I expect IRAs to be quality, final draft work that is double-spaced & typed, or artwork that includes colors, graphics, & a well thought-out, appealing design. It is recommended that you have at least two people edit or look over your work before turning in your final copy, as you will be graded on correct conventions and grammar.

I.R.A. PROJECT CHOICES

Please don’t repeat assignments…Try something new & be creative!

·  I encourage you to create your own unique ways to respond to the books you read- just make sure that I approve your project idea at least a week in advance!

·  All group projects must be approved at least a week in advance.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS- each should be at least 2 pages in length:

1.  Write about a memory or experience of your own that is similar to something you read about in the book.

2.  Write about a character you can identify with in the book and explain why. Give specific quotes or examples.

3.  Choose 3-4 passages from the book that you found especially powerful, intriguing, or important, and explain why.

4.  Become one of the characters in the book and write a diary entry from that character’s point of view. Be sure to reference events that took place and his/her reaction to those events.

5.  Write a letter to one of the characters or the author of the book. Give your reactions to specific events that took place, ask logical questions, etc.

6.  Write a poem based on the plot or a theme of the book.

7.  Focus on the title. Why do you think the author selected this title? What is the significance of it? Provide some alternative titles.

8.  Rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10. Give detailed reasons for your rating. Who would you recommend read this book? Who wouldn’t like it? Why?

9.  Compare a character from this book to another character from another book you have read. Explain how they are similar & how they are different.

10.  Using the Internet or other credible resources, conduct outside research on your book. You could choose to find out more about the author, the time period, a particular place in the book, an issue that is presented, etc. Write a summary of your findings and cite your sources.

11.  What lessons can you learn from this book? Explain and support your ideas with specific quotes or examples.

12.  Pretend you are a character writing a letter to another character. What would that character say to the other? Refer to main events that took place in the book and the character’s reactions to those events.

13.  Write a sequel, epilogue, alternate ending, or lost chapter to the book.

14.  Rewrite a section of the book from another character’s point of view.

15.  Choose a famous person or someone you know who has a lot in common with a main character from your book. Explain the similarities and differences.

16.  Keep a reading response journal that records your thoughts as you read.

17.  Use a journalistic style and write a news story about something that happened to one of the characters.

18.  Interview a character from the book. Write at least 10 questions and answers that delve into a character’s thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story. (or record it)

19.  Imagine that you are the author of the book. Write a business letter to a movie producer to get that person interested in making your book into a movie. Explain why the story, characters, conflicts, etc. would make a good film. Suggest a location and the actors to play various roles. Do not do this for books already made into movies, please.

20.  Develop a test for the book you read. Include 10 true/false, 10 multiple choice, and 5 short answer (2 point) essay questions. Provide answers.

21.  Select one character for the book you read who has the qualities of a hero or heroine. Give examples of these qualities and how they were displayed.

22.  Create a resume for a character in your book. Make sure to include his/her objective, educational background, employment experience, activities & awards, & references.

23.  You are a prosecuting attorney putting one of the characters on trial for a crime or misdeed. Prepare your case on paper. Provide all of your arguments, supporting them with facts from the book.

24.  Respond to at least 3 of the following prompts: This book made me… wish that, realize that, decide that, wonder about, see that, believe that, feel that, hope that.

25.  Make a list of at least 3 proverbs or familiar sayings. Now decide which character in the book you read should have followed the suggestion. Ex: “All’s fair in love and war,” “The early bird gets the worm,” “A stitch in time saves nine.”

26.  Create an Author’s Word and Phrase Palette. Collect active verbs, vivid vocabulary, figurative language, and sensory details that stick out to you. Record your findings (including page numbers) on a labeled chart or web. Then, use what you find in a piece of writing that connects to your novel in some way (a journal, a poem, an alternate ending, etc.) * See me for an example.

ARTWORK:

27.  Plan a party for at least 5 characters in the book. Design an invitation, and create your organizational plan detailing the theme, guest list, location, food & drink menu, games or activities, and favors.

28.  Create a map depicting the various settings of the book. Include a key or use labels.

29.  Draw a comic book page complete with bubble-style conversations showing an important scene or event in your book.

30.  Make a travel brochure inviting tourists to visit the setting of the book. Include a map, activities, attractions, information, etc.

31.  Create a collage representing a main event, emotion, character, or theme of the book. Attach a paragraph explaining the significance of each part of the collage.

PRESENTATIONS:

32.  Come to class dressed as a character in the book. Bring at least 5 props that represent you as well. Include a paragraph explaining the significance of each object & your attire.

33.  Share a song or poem that captures an important event, character trait, emotion, or theme from the book. Include a copy of the song/poem and a one-paragraph explanation of how it applies to your book.

34.  Rewrite a significant event from the book as a script. Recruit classmates to act it out for our class.

35.  Bring in a backpack, purse, or bag filled with at least 5 objects that represent a character. Include a paragraph explaining the significance of each object.