Project Steps:• You will choose one novel from a provided genre to read and base your project upon. The novel must fall under the realistic fiction genre and relate to topics that fit your own age group. Their must be a struggle or complication that the main character has to face and learn to deal with.
• Complete the novel project by Friday, March 11th, 2011. Sufficient time will be provided in class to complete all components of this project; however, should you not use your time wisely you may have to work on it at home.
• Orally and informally share parts of your project with fellow classmates during the following two weeks after the due date, but not on the due date. (Note: this is not a full oral presentation in front of the class)
(This is the order to follow for your final draft of the novel project)
Section 1. A Cover Page: This page can be handwritten, hand printed, stenciled or computer printed. The book title should be in a larger print than all other words. The author’s name should be included in a smaller print and near the book title. Your name (first & last), grade and due date must be close to each other and should also be in a smaller size print either near the center bottom quarter of the page or to the lower right bottom corner . It is strongly recommended that you do some artwork that is connected to the novel on the cover page. Make sure this is your artwork and is not computer created. Plain white paper must be used. Please do not draw lines on your white paper. Remember there is paper available at school if needed.
Section 2 . Outline Page: Include the outline page provided in the report, filled in of course in a neat and organized manner. You will receive 2 copies, one for a rough draft and one for your final copy. This is a type of organizer to help you gather and select relevant information.
Section 3. Character Exploration: Select 1 of the following only. Identify this section with its title, Character Exploration, and which letter you selected.
a) Write at least 2 paragraphs about the main character. Discuss personality, story role, and physical description if possible. Using text support is highly recommended.
b) Write a one page letter to the main character of your book asking questions, protesting a situation, and/or making a complaint and/or a suggestion.
c) Interview the main character. Write at least 8 questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story. However you choose to present your interview is up to you, but you must identify who is speaking and when.
d) Write a diary that one of the story's main characters might have kept before, during, or after the book's events. Include 5 entries and at least 1 from each time period. Remember that the character's thoughts and feelings are very important in a diary. Make sure all have a relevant connection to events from the novel.
e) Character Traits: Select 6 character traits (may refer back to “What a Character” in novel studies duo tang or create your own), define each trait, and create a sentence or two that uses the word and thoroughly explains why or how it describes the character you have chosen. You may also use 2 different characters and give 3 character traits each. Please identify the characters name and the selected trait in the sentence.
Section 4. Novel Facts: This is the overall details about the novel. Using your own words, the summary information you identified in your outline organizer and well written paragraphs to provide your account of the novel. Be sure to include novel title, author, setting, plot, characters, problems, solutions/conclusions, and anything else you feel relevant to introduce and explain your novel (especially if it does not get mentioned in any other part of your project). Do not get too detailed, focus on highlights and important information as if you had to explain to a friend what the book was about. Three quarters to one and a half pages is appropriate (It may depend on your selected novel). Use the title Novel facts to identify this section.
Section 5. Connections:
a) When we read, one way to understand the text is by making connections to our own experiences and knowledge. The three types of connections we make are:
1. Text to Self - the text we read reminds us of things that have happened in our own lives and experiences.
2. Text to Text - the text we read reminds us of things that we have read in other texts (fiction books, news articles, etc...)
3. Text to World - the text we read reminds us of things that are happening in our world (locally, nationally, globally)
Select 2 of the above ways to make connections and provide al least one paragraph for each identifying and explaining the connections you made from your novel. Use the title, Connections, to identify this section, and the 2 sub titles you selected at the start of each paragraph.
b) Was there a main theme to this novel? Describe in paragraph form what the main message or lesson the author was trying to get across to the reader and why is it important or useful to someone your age?
Section 6. Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down! Select one (1) of the following only. Please identify this section with the title, Thumbs up, Thumbs Down! And which sub title you selected.
a) Recommendation: Write a 2 paragraph recommendation of the book. Why would you recommend or not recommend this book to another 5thh grader. Did you learn anything? Are you more aware of anything?
b) Top 10 List - list ten reasons this novel caught your attention either before, during or after you have completed reading (could be about the author’s techniques, print, words, storyline, etc.)
c) Sell it! Write a sales pitch from the publisher or book review for a newspaper, pretending you need to convince the audience that this book is worthwhile.
Section 7. Modifications: Select one (1) of the following only. Identify this section with the title, Modifications and the sub-title you selected.
a) Write a Summary for a Sequel, a New Beginning, or a New Ending for the Book:
Could you give this book a series? If so give us the next book that continues the story. Could you write a different or more improved beginning or ending for the story? If so then this is the choice for you. You may describe your changes or actually set up as part of the novel text. In addition, provide some thoughts to why you made the changes that you did or why you believe a sequel is needed or would work.
b) Become the Illustrator. Could this book be better if it had some pictures to look at? Create 2 different pictures that could be added into the text of the story to help the reader understand and make the book more enjoyable. Near each picture briefly describe the part in the book that you are portraying. Remember overall presentation details. If your book does have pictures select scenes that do not for this activity.
c) Add a new character, name the new character, and explain what you would have him/her do in the story. The new character may be described by words or drawn; your choice.
Section 8. Creative Viewpoint: Construct a creative page: a comic strip, a collage of drawings, one larger drawing, a story board, a sketch of your favorite scene or character, a flow chart or a Venn -diagram. This is your creative contribution; just make sure it fits on one page and fills the whole page. This page does not need the creative viewpoint title, but give it your own original title.
DETAILS to KEEP in MIND:• Your book must be chosen and approved no later than: Friday, January 21st
• Your book must be a just right book for you and be a realistic fiction novel. Students should select a grade-level appropriate novel in which the main character goes on a journey of self-discovery. The book must have a “strength of character” focus where the main character faces a challenging situation or struggle of some kind. Please make sure the main character is a person and not an animal. It must be a new to you novel and CAN be considered your nightly read-at-home. Some examples are listed below. When locating a book you may also refer to some other books written by the authors below. Places to locate a book: the school library, the public library, the classroom, friends, or family. If you require assistance please see me at least a week prior to January 21st.
• Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
• The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson
• Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
• Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry
• Dear Austin by Elvira Woodruff
• Double Fudge by Judy Blume
• Holes by Louis Sachar
• Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
• A Picture of Freedom by Patricia McKissack
• The Secret School by Avi
• Sounder by William Armstrong
• Rules by Cynthia Lord
Other Details:
• Number your pages in the lower right hand corner, but not the cover page. Use plain white paper
• A paragraph roughly consists of 4-6 sentences.
• There is no need to begin new pages with sections 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, simply skip 3-4 lines and start with the next title. If you are not using a computer place a lined paper underneath your plain paper for a guide (it will also keep it neater). That means section 1, 2 and 8 have their own pages.
• Paragraph form (indents too) is a must on every page except the cover, the outline, and the creative page. Use TAB to help on the computer.
• Final Copy must have proper spelling and grammar. All editing and revising should take place before the final draft.
• Every thing should be neat and straight. Don’t forget about margins.
• You will not pass in rough drafts but will keep them incase they are requested when evaluating.
• There will be occasions you will be asked to bring your book report to school for a progress update or an in class opportunity to work on it, so be prepared and do not leave it to the last minute.
• DUE DATE: On or before Friday, March 11th, 2011
• Approximately 2 weeks following your due date you will orally share your novel facts and your personal opinion about the book with fellow classmates informally.
