Overview
Reading can promote critical thinking skills, higher vocabulary understanding,
and better knowledge of English grammar, can improve your SAT scores,
and can be downright fun!!
Time spent working on the
Outside Reading Project is over and above the regular homework assignments
given in English class. While this may sound intimidating or unfair,
if done in small but regular increments, it is very manageable for
everyone involved. My recommendation is to spend 15-20 minutes each
day working on either the reading or the project once the reading
is finished. Follow the steps below and use your time wisely during
the quarter so as not to let the project creep up on you at the end.
• Step 1 –
Find an interesting book and get it approved with Miss McKinney or
Miss Murrell.
• Step 2– Read
your book each night.
• Step 3 –
Choose a project that fits the book and get the project approved with
Miss McKinney or Miss Murrell. Once the project is approved, create
an outline and goals of how to accomplish the project. Decide what
you must do first, second, third, etc. Remember to be realistic with
your goals and don’t forget that it is okay to ask Miss McKinney
or Miss Murrell for help.
• Step 4 –
Follow your outline to complete the project. Remember that asking
Miss McKinney or Miss Murrell for ideas or help proofing your project
is recommended. Getting your project checked before the final due
date is a great way to know what needs to be revised, helping you
get an awesome grade. You may turn your project in early. Don’t
forget to be creative and have fun!!
You will need to read one
biography, one non-fiction, and two fiction books during this school
year. Each book must be pre-approved by Miss McKinney or Miss Murrell.,
and must be appropriate to your grade level and reading level.
• 2 Fiction (Choose book from the recommended reading list)
• 1 Biography
• 1 Non-fiction
Book 1 Approved by: August
13 --------Project due: September 23
Book 2 Approved by: October 1-------- Project due: November 18
Book 3 Approved by:February 15--------Project due: April 8
Book 4 Approved by:April 23--------- Project due:June 8
*** Each book project will count as a Project grade. See your syllabus
for weight. ***
Reports
During the course of the year you must complete two projects* and
two teacher-assigned assessments,** All written projects must be typed
and follow the MLA format. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01-
*Each project must be from
a different category.
**Details will be given for each marking period at the beginning of
the quarter.
WRITTEN
CREATE A JOURNAL: Write 8, one page, journal entries as if you were
one of the characters in the book. Each entry should relate to the
theme of the book.
LETTER TO THE AUTHOR: Write
a 2 – 2 ½ page formal letter to the author of the book
you have just read. Your letter should detail your thoughts and opinions
concerning the validity of the book. Specific examples from the book
must be used. Include an envelope and stamp.
CREATE A NEWSPAPER: Create
and write a newspaper, including the entire front page, detailing
the various subjects explored in the book you have just finished reading.
Cartoons, classified, and a sport sections are examples of what you
can add to make the newspaper more interesting and creative. Remember
that every part of the newspaper needs to relate to the book read.
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN:
Write a review of the book you read in the style of a movie review.
Write one page for Thumbs Up, one page for Thumbs Down, and ½
page for your overall conclusion of the book.
THEME REPORT: Select one
central theme of the book and write a 2 page report that shares information
about the theme. Specific details should be included in your report.
SELL IT: You are a publicist
and you are writing a 2 – 2 ½ page essay to persuade
your printing company that the book you just completed is worth reading
and should be printed in mass. Details and examples from the book
should be used.
PRAYER LETTER: Write a
2 page formal missionary newsletter to a church detailing the literary
events of the book. The theme of the book along with two pictures,
prayer points, and a lesson learned should be included in your letter.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
Write a FULL (physical, emotional, relational) description of three
of the characters in the book- One page each. Draw a portrait to accompany
each description.
FLASH FORWARD: Write a
2 -2 ½ page story about what one of the characters in the book
is doing 20 years after the original story takes place. (Character
cannot have died during the course of the original book.)
ALTERNATE ENDING: Rewrite
the last chapter of the book. Change how the story ends. Must be 2
– 2 ½ pages long.
VISUAL
POSTER: Using poster board, create a colorful poster depicting the
main ideas, events, theme and characters of the story.
COLLAGE: Using poster board,
create an interesting collage depicting the theme, characters, main
ideas and events of the story.
ILLUSTRATE A CARTOON: Illustrate
a clear, concise, colorful cartoon showing all major events from the
book. Each section should have some form of dialog.
CHARACTER TRAIT DIAGRAM:
Create a poster-sized 3 to 4 part Venn diagram to illustrate similarities
and differences in the traits of two of the main characters.
GAME: Create a board game
such as Monopoly, Sorry, or Candy-land, which involves the players
answering questions about the characters, main ideas, theme, and events
of the story.
CREATE A 3-D DIAGRAM: Using
your extensive knowledge of the book, create a 3-D diagram from clay
or some other material to depict the turning point from the book.
A one page formal writing must accompany the diagram explaining the
scene and detailing why it is the turning point for the book.
CHILDREN’S’
BOOK: Create a Kindergarten level story book about the book you read.
Your book should be at least 8 pages and have pictures and text on
each page.
ILLUSTRATE THE BOOK: Draw
8 -10 illustrations for the book you read. Each illustration should
be at least A4 size. Illustrations need to be original – not
similar or based on illustrations found in the book. A short description
of the scene should accompany each illustration.
CREATIVE
SOUNDTRACK: Create a soundtrack depicting the mood and tone of the
book. Your soundtrack should contain at least 10 songs with a written
paragraph explaining how each song symbolizes the mood and tone of
the book.
VIDEO: Re-create a major
event or scene from the book. 2 or 3 scenes should be created taking
10 -15 minutes of video. A written screenplay should be turned in
with your video, stating all lines and stage directions.
RADIO BROADCAST: Create
a radio commercial selling the book. Your radio broadcast should have
a musical jingle or song and a written script containing the positive
aspects of the book. It should be 5 minutes in length and recorded
on CD or performed aloud in class.
INTERVIEW A CHARACTER:
Compose 10 – 15 questions to ask a main character (or authority
if necessary) in the book. You will also need to write the character’s
response to each question. The questions and answers should provide
information that shows knowledge of the book. You will act out the
interview in class, using a classmate.
SPEECH: Write an outline
and then give a speech to the class explaining the values and lessons
of the book you read. The outline must be approved by your English
teacher before the speech can be given in class.
DRAMATIC READING: Write
an outline of a coffee house poetry reading and then give a dramatic
reading to the class explaining the values and lessons of the book
read. Costume and atmosphere are key elements which must not be forgotten.
The outline and poem must be approved by your English teacher before
the dramatic reading.
WRITE A SONG: Write a song,
which conveys the message, mood, and theme of the book, and then perform
the song to your class. Lyrics and music need to be pre-approved before
any performances may take place. Amplifiers are not provided by the
English teacher, but are strongly encouraged.
OTHER: Invent you own creative
book project. Make sure to check the idea with your English teacher
first.