Novel of Choice Unit

You have one more novel to ready as part of your English Language Arts class. This time, however, you get to choose from a list of books. See BOOK CHOICE LIST. Many of the books on the list have pdf links. Try to find at least two other students in your class who are reading the same novel as you so that you will be able to collaborate as you read. If you complete a project with one or two other students, you will split the points. Please get permission from the teacher to work in pairs or groups.

If at any time during the course of the unit it is discovered that you have already read the book that you have chosen, you will earn a zero for all aspects of this project.

Things to consider when choosing your book:

Does the book grab your interest? Unsure? Google the title and check out summaries and reviews. Be careful to avoid spoilers, though! Some great sites for checking out a book include:
Consider the length. We only have four weeks left to complete the reading.
Try to find others who have already read the book (maybe even your teacher) and ask them to tell you a little bit about the book.
Realize that you will be given the opportunity to earn 50 points towards your final grade by giving a booktalk during the week of June 4, 2017. Here is where you will find the GUIDELINES FOR THE BOOKTALK.

By June 9, you are required to complete at least 50 point’s worth of activities from the list below. You can only complete an activity once. Should you choose to improve your final grade, you may complete up to 100 points’ worth of activities (up to 50 extra credit points). Also, the teacher reserves the right to apply more or less points to an activity depending on the quality of the work. You can only receive extra credit if you earn the required 50 points for activities and the 50 points for your booktalk.

A Character’s Room

Activity: We learn a lot about people by what they keep in their closets, what they have on their walls, what they select to put in a room. Select a character you know well and create a living room, bedroom, kitchen, or some other room that would mean a lot to the character. Draw it and write about it making sure to include an explanation of why you designed the room as you did. Want to know how an architect might draw this room? Check out Sample Architect’s Drawings.
Expectations: The drawing must be detailed enough that the person viewing it will be able to understand a great deal about the character, even before reading the explanation.
Point Value: 10

Letter Exchange

Activity: Create a letter exchange between a character and the author or write a series of self-reflective letters from several characters on what the the character learned about himself, others, and life.
Expectations: At least three one-page letters must be written to adequately complete this assignment. The letters must be written using proper friendly letter format. Need help understanding how to write a letter in friendly letter format? Go to Samples of Friendly Letter Format.
Point Value: 10

Fan Fiction

Write a short fanfiction about a supporting character in your book.
Activity: Fanfiction is when a fan of a work (a book, a TV show, a movie, etc.) writes a fictional story about a character in the book. Your task is to write a short story, or fanfiction, about one of the supporting characters in your book.
Expectations: The story must be at least one and a half pages long. It should be double-spaced and written in an easy-to-read, 12-point font. There should be few spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors and it should be thoughtfully and creatively written.
Point Value: 10

Letter of Assistance

Activity: You have the chance to reach out and help one of the main characters handle the conflicts in his or her life. This conflict may be a problem in a relationship, substance abuse, conflicts with parents, etc. Put together a packet of assistance. This packet should contain a letter to this character talking about his or her problem and suggesting solutions. Include either print outs of suggestions, brochures, or website addresses that focus on providing assistance for the character’s particular problem.
Expectations: The letter should be at least ¾ of a page long. The tone of the letter should be friendly and comforting. The packet should include at least three pieces of assistance (like brochures, information from websites, or helpful website addresses) that your main character can use to help his or her situation.
Point Value: 10

Interview

Activity: Use a real or imaginary game show host and name your show. Create five probing questions and write five detailed answers in the persona of the character of your choice. Write the answers the character would give according to your knowledge of the character’s personality. Stay true to your character!
Expectations: The questions should be thoughtful and relevant to the book. The answers should be thoughtful and make sense based on what you know about the character and what he or she would reasonably say.
Point Value: 10

Post Secret

Activity: Think of a secret that a character in your book may have kept. Create a colorful and interesting Post Secret card. On one side of a 4” x 6” index card either draw pictures, cut and paste pictures from a magazine, or cut images from the internet to represent a character’s secret and tell the secret. On the other side (the back), write a thorough explanation of the secret and why the character has kept it. Don’t forget to include the name of the character.
Expectations: The Post Secret must include the secret, a picture (drawn, cut out of a magazine, or printed from the internet), and a full explanation of the secret and why the character has kept it. It must be colorful and attractive. Don’t forget the character’s name on the back.
Point Value: 10

Heroes and Superheroes

Activity: Select two or three people your character would think of as a hero or superhero. Describe the characteristics of the hero and why those characteristics would be important to your character. Also describe which characteristics your character would most want for himself/herself that the hero or superhero possesses. What characteristics does a superhero possess? Incorporate elements of the video What makes a hero?and you will be sure to get full credit on this assignment.
Expectations: One full-page of writing. In addition to content, logic, style and thoroughness, grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and neatness count.
Point Value: 10

Critique from an Organization

Activity: Select an organization that might have a lot to say about the actions or portrayals of characters in the novel you read, and write a critique of the book from its point of view. For example the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals might have a lot to say about Lennie’s treatment of animals in Of Mice and Men, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the portrayal of Crooks, and the National Organization of Women on the portrayal of Curley’s wife and the fact that she was never given a name. Need help? Check out How to write a critique of a Novel.
Expectations: One full-page. In addition to content, logic, style and thoroughness, grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and neatness count.
Point Value: 15

The Dating Game

Activity: Imagine that some of the characters are writing up resumes so they can appear on the “Dating Game” show. What would they say about themselves and what would they say they would like in a significant other? Want to see what the 70’s Dating Game show looked like? Go to The Dating Game.
Expectations: Create a complete and proper resume for one of your characters. .For help, check out Purdue OWL: Resume Writing.
Point Value: 15

Character Alphabet

Activity: choose a character you liked and then create sentences based on the alphabet scheme that demonstrate your knowledge of the character. If after reading Spite Fences, you decided to write Zeke’s alphabet, it could start like this:
A is for the ABUSE Zeke took at the hands of a racist mob.
B is for his BENDING OVER BACKWARDS to make sure the visiting civil rights activist could work in obscurity.
C is for the CAMERA he gave Maggie so she could begin to look at the world in new ways.
Expectations: The sentences must be complex and must demonstrate a clear understanding of the qualities of the character you have chosen to describe.
Point value: 15

Advertisements Collage

Activity: To show your understanding of a character, go through several magazines and newspapers looking for advertisements of goods you think your character would like. Cout out the pictures, mount them on poster paper and somewhere near each picture write a few lines about why this product would appeal to your character. Check out samples of Advertisement Collages.
Expectation: The collage should be at least 9 x 12 inches in size. It should have a title, it should be colorful, and it should fairly represent advertisements that would appeal to your character.
Point Value: 20

Book Jacket

Activity: Fold a piece of construction paper into the shape of a book jacket. The front should have a cover that reflects something important from the book and should NOT be the picture that is actually on the cover. The front inside flap should have a brief summary of the book. The back inside flap should have a short summary about the author (NOT copied from the book itself). The back should have an intriguing quote from the book and should include a link to a digital summary of the book.
Expectations: The book jacket must be thoughtful, attractive, and original - that means it is written by you, not copied from the book or the internet. Read about the author and write his or her biography in your own words.
Point Value: 20

This I Believe

Write a “This I Believe” essay about one of your core beliefs or concerns.
Activity: This I Believe is an international organization engaging people in writing and sharing essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives. You can read and hear samples at: This I Believe. Write your essay from the point of view of one of the characters, talking about something they might care about.
Expectations: Write a well-developed five-paragraph essay in which you state your character’s beliefs, and support the character’s beliefs through the use of specific examples from the novel.
Point Value: 20

Chat Room

Activity: Imagine that your character has found other people to talk with while in a chat room he or she found while surfing the Internet. Describe the chat room your character was in and why your character would be drawn to the kind of group that operates the chat room. Then construct the conversation your character had with others while in the chat room.
Expectations: The style, tone, and content of the conversation your create must convince the reader about details of the book. How long does it have to be, you ask? At least forty lines of complex sentences.
Point Value: 25

Sculpture

Activity: Create a sculpture of a character. Use any combination of soap, wood, clay, sticks, wire, stones, old toy pieces, or any other object. A written explanation of how this character fits into the book must accompany the sculpture.
Expectations: Creativity and attention to detail are paramount to earning or exceeding full credit for this project.
Point Value: 25+

Song or Poem

Activity: Find a song or poem on the internet, print it out, explain how it relates to your book and decorate the page appropriately.
Expectations: The song or poem will be printed out and relate to your book. Your explanation of how it relates will be meaningful, at least a paragraph long, and understandable. Your paper will be decorated appropriately using at least four colors. You may also use images printed out or cut out of magazines or other sources.
Point Value: 30

Character Astrology Signs

Activity: After reading brief descriptions of the astrology or sun signs, figure out which signs you think three of the main characters from your book were born under. Write an explanation of why you think they fit the sign, drawing on their actions, attitudes, and thoughts from the book. Create a poster that illustrates the astrological and/or sun signs.
Expectations: Your poster should be colorful and balanced, and should include thorough explanations of why you think each character fits the sign that you have attributed to him or her.
Point Value: 30

Persuasive Poster

Activity: Either on poster paper or digitally, design and make a persuasive poster that entices people to read your book. If you need poster paper let me know. It must include at least two pictures, two quotes, two (made up) reviews, and two additional words or phrases of enthusiasm for the book (like: “thought provoking” or “wild and crazy fun.”) The reviews and the additional words or phrases of enthusiasm must be your own, original work. Do NOT copy reviews from the book itself or the internet, as that would be plagiarism.
Expectations: The poster must be interesting, informative, colorful, and attractive. It must include all of the elements listed above.
Point Value: 30

Still Life

Create a still life that represents important events, symbols, or themes in your book.
Activity: Find at least six objects that represent important events, symbols, or themes in your book. Arrange these objects in an interesting way on a surface and then snap a picture of them. Write a meaningful explanation that tells why you chose each object and attach the picture to the explanation.
Expectations: The still life you create must contain at least six objects that represent important events, symbols, or themes in your book. The explanation must be long enough to explain each object and its significance. It must be well-written with few spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes.
Point Value: 30

Coat of Arms

Create a “coat of arms” for one character in your book.
Activity: Choose one character to use for this activity. Take a “coat of arms” paper (see below) and fill it out thoughtfully and completely about the character you have selected. Then make a coat of arms by transferring your written responses into visual images. The images may be symbolic. You may use computer-generated images, pictures from magazines, and/or drawings.
Expectations: Answer all ten questions completely and thoughtfully and make a coat of arms that includes images that reflect all the answers you have written. The coat of arms must be colorful and attractive. You must paperclip them together.
Point Value: 30

Coat of Arms Questions

Name:Period:

Answer these questions for one character of your choice. Then create a coat of arms by transferring your written responses into visual images. Be thoughtful and thorough. Do not repeat ideas. Turn this completed form in with your coat of arms.

If ______was an animal, it would be a ______because he/she______.
If ______’s name was a plant name, it would be ______because he/she ______.
If ______’s name was a season, it would be ______because he/she ______.
If ______’s name was a time of day, it would be ______because he/she ______.
If ______’s name was a word, it would be ______because he/she ______.
If ______’s name was a musical instrument, it would be a(n) ______because he/she ______.
If ______’s name was an object, it would be a(n) ______because he/she ______.
If ______’s name was a song, it would be ______because he/she______.
If ______’s name was an emotion, it would ______because he/she ______.
If ______’s name was a color, it would be ______because he/she ______.

Comic Strip

Activity: This strip should illustrate an important segment from the book you are reading. You can draw or use a computer program (like comic life) to do it. It should have at least four panels (pictures and captions). On the back tell us why this excerpt is important.
Expectations: The strip should illustrate an important part of the book and should have at least four panels that include a picture and caption in each one. There should be an explanation on the back that tells us why this part of the book is important. Put your name and period on your assignment.
Point Value: 30

Create a Scrapbook