FOR STUDENTS ENTERING IN SEPTEMBER 2008: Grade 6: Ida B by Katherine Hannigan Grade 7: Crossing Jordan by Adrian Fogelin Grade 8: The Clay Marble by Minfong Ho Grade 9: Goodbye Vietnam by Gloria Whelan

Directions: Students will choose ONE project from the following lists to be completed by the fall. ELA teachers at each level in September will indicate to students the due date of their project. Assessment will be based on the accompanying rubrics

BOOK PROJECTS

Rearrange a Passage into a poem Find a particularly effective description or bit of action that is really poetry written as prose. Re-write it. Leave out words or skip a sentence or two, but arrange it to create a poem.

NAME:______________________________________________________ Fun with Similes Directions: Similes are a type of figurative language that compares two unlike things using the words “like or as.” Authors use similes in writing to make their details more vivid. Read the similes below and describe in your own words what each one means. Use context clues from the sentence to help describe the simile. Similes

Describe what it means

“My heart was like a black stone”

______________________________

“…her voice was like ten different musical instruments.”

______________________________

“Apologizing is like spring cleaning.”

______________________________

“Her voice was soft like footsteps in new Snow.”

______________________________

“the trees grinned like jack-o-lanterns with Bad intentions.”

______________________________

Fill in the blanks to complete these similes then write one of your own. The snow was like ________________________________________________________ The mountain was as high as ________________________________________________ My own similes:

BOARD GAME PROJECT Create a board game based on the plot and characters in your book. Be sure to include a game board, game pieces, and a sheet explaining how to play the game.

NEWSPAPER PROJECT Write the front page of a newspaper that might be found in the town where your story takes place. Include four articles about the characters or events in your book and at least one illustration. Make your newspaper look as much like a real newspaper as possible.

POSTER PROJECT Pretend you are a team of casting directors for a film version of your book. Decide which actor or actress should play each of the characters’ roles from the book. For each character, write a description of the star, telling why he or she is perfect for the part. Then design a movie poster that includes a summary of the book, each star’s name, the movie’s rating, and other important details.

PICTURE BOOK PROJECT Create a picture book of your book for younger readers. Choose 10-20 major events from the story. Write each event on a sheet of drawing paper along with an illustration. Bind all the pages together; then design a cover for your book.

MOBILE PROJECT Create a large mobile containing illustrations or cutouts of at least ten items related to the story. Write a description of each item and its relevance to the story on an index card. Hang the ten (or more) index cards on the mobile with the illustrations/cutouts; or paste them inside a labeled file folder.

HISTORICAL FICTION

STUDY GUIDE NAME:_______________________________________ ___________ DATE:________________________________________ ___________ BOOK TITLE:_______________________________________ _____

AUTHOR:________________________________________________ Who is the main character? _______________________________________________________________________ During which historic time period does the character live?__________________________ Who’s telling the story? (Point of view) _______________________________________________________________________ Which events in the book are historical, and which are fiction?_______________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ What problem does the main character face?_____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ How does the main character resolve the problem?________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ What are your impressions about this period of time? Would you have liked to have lived back then? Why or why not? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Do you think something like this could happen today? Why or why not?

HISTORICAL FICTION

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER NAME:__________________________________________________ DATE:__________________________________________________

Fill in the story events on the time line below. Place a star next to the events that are true historical references. The Story Begins

_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

The Story Ends

WINDSOCK

Title of Book Author

DIRECTIONS:

1. Use 12” x 18” white construction paper. 2. Measure down 4” from the top of the paper and draw a line. Cut out strips the width of the ruler up to the line. Leave a ruler space between each strip, cutting out every other strip. 3. Write the name of the book and the author on the top 4” of the paper. Draw a picture of the setting, the main characters, or an event in the story in this top part. Be artistic and creative! 4. Label each strip with the category heading (setting, main characters, main event, problem or solution.) Write the setting, characters, the main events, problems or solutions sideways on the strips, saving the first strip for glue and the last one for the genre (realistic fiction.) 5. Form a circle with the first strip glued under the last strip. 6. Punch two holes for string, tie with string or yarn together and hang from the ceiling.

As always, take pride in your work and create a masterpiece you will be proud of !

Genre: Realistic

Event, Problem, or Solution

illustrate this top part

Event, Problem, or Solution

Event, Problem, or Solution

Event, Problem, or Solution

Retold by (your name)

Main Characters

Setting

Glue

Glue

Glue

illustrate this top part

Memory Bag About Book Directions Make a list of the story elements, making sure that you retell the story. Beside each element, write down an object to represent each one. Find the objects and put them in a bag (brown grocery bag, gift bag, and cloth bag, whatever!) You will use the items in your bag to retell the story to the class. Fill out the sheet below.

Story Elements Character

Setting

Problem (s)

Events

Solution

Bag Item

Why You Chose the Item

Cereal Box Book Report NAME:______________________________________________________ Materials: An empty cereal box, construction paper, scissors, markers or crayons, glue, tape, and white or light-colored paper. General Directions: • Once the book is chosen design the cereal box • Divide the box into appropriate spaces • Write a rough draft of items to be included on box. Proof read for spelling and grammar • Transfer ideas to the box • Practice cereal box presentation Directions for Cereal Box: • Choose a name that sounds enticing and that relates to the story. Choose a shape for the cereal as well as colors and ingredients that all relate to the book • Cover the empty cereal box with white or light-colored paper • Front – Write the name of the cereal and draw an illustration to go with it. Students should make the cereal box appealing and fun. Students may want to look at actual cereal boxes for ideas • Back – Write a summary of the book. Describe the three elements (conflict, climax, resolution) and the plot in detail • Right side – Under the heading “ingredients” list the main characters and write a sentence about each one. Then describe the setting (time and place) • Left side – Write the title, author of the book, number of pages, and student’s name.

Alternative Endings NAME:_________________________________________________________________

Directions: Students are to play the role of author and come up with an alternative ending for the story in which they’ve read. The new ending should be interesting, imaginative, and include as many details as possible. New characters can be introduced in the alternative ending as long as their roles are relevant to the context of the story. The ending can be a surprise ending and/or leave room open for a sequel to the story.

Book Mobile Supplies needed: Wire hanger String White paper for clouds Crayons or markers Glue or stapler Hole punch or tape Magazines

Directions 1. Cut out the paper cloud shapes. 2. Assemble the mobile from top to bottom by following steps A-G. A. Write the title and author of the book on a cloud. Hang it inside the hanger from the center B. Label a cloud SETTING. On the back of the cloud, write where and when the story takes place. You need to write in complete sentences. Hang it from the bottom center. C. Label a cloud OPINION. On the back of the cloud, write your opinion of the story. You need to write at least 4-5 complete sentences stating your opinion and why you did or did not like the book. Hang it at the bottom of the cloud labeled SETTING. D. Label one cloud CHARACTERS and another PLOT. Hang them from the left and right sides of the hanger. E. Hang one cloud for each main character in the book from the cloud labeled CHARACTERS. On the front of the cloud, cut out (or draw) a picture of that character. Write their name under the picture. On the back of the cloud, tell why this character is important in the story. You must write 4-5 complete sentences for each character. F. From each character’s cloud, hang a smaller cloud. On this cloud, cut out (or draw) and object that goes with that character. On the back of the cloud, explain why this is so. You must write at least 2 (two) complete sentences for each object. G. From the PLOT cloud, hang three additional clouds, one after the other. On the front of each cloud, write Beginning, Middle, and End. Under each label, draw a scene from each of these sections of the book. On the back of each cloud, write 5 (five) sentences explaining that part of the book.

Double Bubble Map NAME:_________________________________________________________________

Double Bubble Map for Comparing (similarities) and Contrasting (differences)

Summarize the Book NAME:_________________________________________________________________ Directions: After reading your book, pick out the eight most important events, and summarize them. Using construction paper, divide your paper into eight equal sections. Within each box should be a picture and three to four lines of text that summarize the important event. The boxes should be numbered and in chronological order.

You will be graded on the following criteria: • Promptness • Following Directions • Neatness • Spelling and Grammar • Content • Your Presentation to the Class ******Use a ruler so that your boxes and text are straight ******

Book Report Format 1. Fold a 12” by 18” sheet of construction paper in half. Trim the edge to make a briefcase that opens. 2. On the front of the briefcase. Neatly print the title and the author of the book. Be sure to print your name on the front. (use a ruler) 3. Inside the briefcase, write a summary of the story. In the first paragraph of your summary include the setting, main characters, and point of view. In the second paragraph, tell about the beginning of the story. In the second paragraph, describe the middle of the story. In the last paragraph of your summary, explain what happens at the end of the book. Do not say “If you want to find out what happens, read the book.” 4. Next, tell about the main character and how he or she played an important part in the story. Use describing words to paint a picture in our minds as to what the main character looked like. Next to the paragraph, draw a picture of the main character, or include a photocopy of a drawing from the book. 5. Lastly, describe your favorite part in the book. Give your recommendation to other students. You will be graded on the following criteria: • Neatness • Effort • Content • Promptness • Spelling and Grammar • Complete Sentences • Following Directions

Poetry Room Paper NAME:_________________________________________________________________ • Describe an image. Try to see it as clearly as a photograph. Notice all the details about it. Describe it as accurately as you can. • Describe the quality of light. • Describe any sounds. • Write any questions you have about the image, or wonder about. • Write down any feelings you have about the image. • Choose an important word, phrase, or line from one of the other rooms. Write it three times. • Think of three different similes or metaphors to describe the image. • Describe any smells. • Describe what the image might feel like if you touched it. • Describe any tastes. • Take a favorite line or a quote from another poem or book and write that in one of the rooms to weave into the poem. • If your image could speak what would it say? How would it sound? What would its voice be like? Note: the bold print indicates what to write in each room that you choose.

Poetry Rooms Paper NAME:_________________________________________________________________

Note: See the back for possible poetry rooms

Six-room Image-poem Image A Tropical bird streaked across the sky in the City. It must have escaped from some A blue City sky apartment cage. Sunny, bright

Sound Hum and blare Caw-caw-caw A shrill shriek

Questions A macaw? A parrot? Where will it go? To the park? How will it survive the seasons, or this urban landscape? Was it better to live caged and survive? Or fly free and die?

Feelings Panic Flying free Scared An amazing sight Unusual Wonder

Light

Repeating Word(s) Flying free Flying free Flying free

Character Cards Materials: Construction paper, cardboard (if available,) scissors, glue, white or light-colored paper Note: Student should make cards for each main character in a particular story. Directions: • Cut cardboard into 3” by 3” (teacher can modify size requirements) squares • Cut out equal size pieces of construction paper or light colored paper and paste them on the front and back of the cardboard squares. • Front - Draw a picture of a main character from a particular book (be sure to use color and creativity.) If no picture of the character is included within the book, base your illustration on descriptive details of the character given in the story. Include the name of the character under the illustration. • Back – Include the headings: book title, genre, age (list age of the character if known,) role in the story (describe the character’s role in the story in one or two sentences,) and favorite section (briefly describe a favorite scene in the story that includes the character.)

Journal Prompts Encourage students to speculate about the stories they read or heard by writing in their journals. Offer these prompts to get students started: • What would you have done if you were faced with the challenges that the main character faced? How would you have reacted? • Choose one of the human conflicts in the story and write a change in the event that could change the course of history. • Describe in three sentences the time and setting of the book. • Place yourself in the story as a friend of the main character. What advice would you give him or her about the circumstances of the story? • What have you learned about history by reading this story? • If you could travel back in time in a time machine, which historical period would you like to visit? Why would you choose it?

Directions: Complete the anticipation guide for each chapter of your novel ANTICIPATION GUIDE FOR __________________________________________

Agree

Before Reading Disagree

After Reading Agree Disagree