Step 1: Choose ONE of the above novels to read independently over the coming week.
Assignment Choices:
Directions: Choose a combination of assignments to equal a total possible mark of 50. Bonus marks are possible up to a maximum score of 60/50.
Silver Assignments – 10 marks
Silver01 - Make a soundtrack playlist on YouTube for the book by choosing at least 10 popular songs. For each song, explain in at least one sentence why you chose the song and how it relates to the events or characters in the book. (You can use quotes if you want to.)
Silver02 - If you could change places with one character, who would it be and why? Your explanation should be at least one page. Remember to describe the character and their situation well because your audience may not have read the book. Give us EVIDENCE--examples of things the character has done or said that supports your description.
Silver03 - Which character is most like you? Why? Your explanation should be at least one page. Remember to describe the character well because your audience may not have read the book. Give us EVIDENCE-- examples of things the character has done or said that support your description. Also, give EVIDENCE of what it is about you that is similar to the character--these might be examples of things you have said or done.
Silver04 - Change the time and place of the novel. Explain how this would change the story. First tell us where and when the novel takes place. Then tell us where and when you would change it to. Focus on how the characters would be different and on how the plot (what happens) might change. For example, if your book takes place in 1920 and has a female character who is a nurse, you might change the time to 2001 and say that nowadays, a woman interested in medicine can be a doctor.
Silver05 - Become one of the characters and describe your experiences during a certain event in the novel. Your description should be at least one page. Write in the FIRST PERSON (using 'I') and remember to use as many senses as possible in your description.
Silver06 - Choose one character, tell how they behaved/what they were like in the beginning, how they behaved/what they were like at the end, and how they changed. Your description should be at least one page.
Silver07 - Make a cartoon of a chapter or event in the book. Cartoon must be at least 8 panels in full color with text.
Silver08 - Draw a scene from the book. Your drawing will be scored based on how much detail is included. Make sure you somehow show who the people are in your picture.
Silver09 - Describe an experience you've had that was like something that happened in the book. Your description should be at least one page. First, describe the event in the book, then describe the even that happened to you.
Silver10 - Write a blues song for a character. Include a one paragraph explanation after the song of why this song is appropriate for the character.
Silver11 - Make a collage of a major theme from the book. Use clippings from magazines, newspapers, etc. The collage must be on paper that is at least 8 1/2 x 14 and should include at least 10 different clips. On the back explain in one paragraph what theme you are representing and what it has to do with your novel.
Silver12 - Imagine your book is being turned into a movie--who would play each character? Name at least 5 characters and who would play them (explain in at least one sentence why and include a quote from each character that makes your point.) and tell where you would film the movie.
Silver13 - Write an obituary for a character (at least one page—look in the newspaper or ask me for examples.)
Gold Assignments – 15 Marks
Gold01 - Write a letter to a character. Then, have that character write a letter answering back in the voice of the character (using words they would use and saying things they would say.) Each letter should be at least one page.
Gold02 - Pretend you are a newspaper reporter and write out an interview with one of the characters (at least 10 OPEN questions and answers.)
Gold03 - Write an ORIGINAL SONG about the book (at least 20 lines.) Include a one paragraph explanation of how the song relates to the events and characters of the book.
Gold04 - Become a character and write a diary with at least 5 entries. Include events from the novel and how you feel about them. Write in the voice of the character (using words they would use and saying things they would say.)
Gold05 - Make an illustrated time line of events in the book, make sure your time-line includes at least 10 events with a two sentence description and small picture or clipping describing each event.
Gold06 - Make a character up! Imagine a character that was not in the book but that could have been. Write a conversation between this character and one of the existing characters (one page) and tell how the book would change with this new character (half a page.)
Gold07 - What could happen after the story is over? Write a brief summary (two pages) of a sequel to the book (describe the main characters, tell what the plot would be.)
Gold08 - Write an imaginary interview with the author (at least 15 open questions and answers.)
Gold09 - Draw a map (in color) of one place in the book, labeling landmarks and points of interest.
Gold10 - Write letters from one character to another, with the second character responding. Each letter should be one page and in the voice of the character.
Gold11 - Redesign the front and back cover of the book, complete with a blurb and quotes on the back (these should be made up!)
Gold12 - Write a "Dear Abby" column with questions from at least three characters asking for advice and your answers as Dear Abby (each should be at least 1/2 page.)
Gold13 - Get two different colored pens and choose a particular page from the book that you liked. Begin by re-writing the first sentence from the page in the book in one color, and then add a sentence of your own in another color. Then go back and write the next sentence in the book. Continue alternating until your have finished the page.
Gold14 - Make three character trading cards from your book. On the front of each piece have a picture that represents a character, on the back have a description of the character and your favorite quote that describes them or your favorite quote that the character said.
Platinum Assignments – 20 Marks
Platinum01 - What else happens? Add a chapter to the end of the book. This should be at least three or four pages and in the style of the book.
Platinum02 - What do you think should have happened that didn't? Write a chapter that's missing in the middle of the book. This should be at least three or four pages and in the style of the book.
Platinum03 - What happened first? Write a chapter that comes before the book began. This should be at least three or four pages and in the style of the book.
Platinum04 - Pick two characters from different books. Describe a meeting between the two of them (where and when and how it would take place) and write twenty lines of dialogue (like a movie screenplay) between them
Platinum05 - Find and read an interview with the author or a review of the book. Read it and write a summary (attach a copy of the interview.) What surprised you? What didn't surprise you? Your summary should be at least one page.
Platinum06 - Rewrite a section of the book from a different character's point of view than is in the original book. This should be at least four pages and in the style of the book.
Platinum07 - Rewrite a section of the book with yourself as a character. This should be at least three or four pages and in the style of the book.
Diamond Assignments – 30 Marks
Diamond01 - Act out and video tape several scenes from the book of at least five to ten minutes in length. Present it to the class.
Diamond02 - Write and illustrate (you can use cut-outs) a full children's book telling the story of your book—with a cover.
Each assignment will be based on the following rubric;
5—Meets all criteria, creative, thoughtful 4—Meets most of criteria, somewhat creative and thoughtful 3—Meets some of the criteria, somewhat creative or thoughtful 2—Meets little of the criteria, not creative, not thoughtful 1—Minimally meets the criteria for the assignment