_____ Fri., November 7 Notecard - 25 POINTS

_____ Fri., November 14 Summary and Commentary Section 1 - 50 POINTS

_____ Wed., November 19 Summary and Commentary Section 2 - 50 POINTS

_____ Fri., November 21 Creative Representation - 50 POINTS

_____ Wed., November 25 Summary and Commentary Section 3 - 50 POINTS

_____ Fri., Dec. 2 Summary and Commentary Section 4 - 50 POINTS

_____ Wed., Dec. 3 In-class Test - 100 POINTS

_____ Wed., Dec. 3 List of characters - 30 POINTS

_____ Wed., Dec. 3 Evaluation - 75 POINTS

_____ Thurs., Dec. 4 Your Test Questions - 50 POINTS

_____ Fri., Dec. 5 Literary Technique Essay - 100 POINTS

_____ Tues., Dec. 9 Book Talk - 20 POINTS

Read all of the following requirements, and mark the due dates on your calendars. All work is due on the date written. If you are absent on December 3 or December 5, a parent MUST call me at school before the day is over. Otherwise, late work is not accepted.

I. Notecard - Due FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - 25 POINTS
To be completed in class. Notecards will be provided.

1. Create a book jacket (11" x 17") that could be used for a hardbound edition of your book. Include an introductory summary of the story and a brief biography (use the one already turned in for class) of the author on the flaps. Your purpose is to persuade readers to buy the book, but you must also be true to the flavor and purpose of the novel. You will want to create a striking illustration for the jacket as well.

2. Create a sculpture, portrait, or some likeness of a particular character from the novel. As some physical aspects demand to be portrayed, be sure to reflect the emotions and personality of your character. Include a paragraph describing your art work, including a quotation from which the project was inspired.

3. Create a 12th grade level colorful diorama of a particular scene from the novel. Pay attention to setting and characters. Include a paragraph describing the particular scene, including a quotation from which the project was inspired.

4. Create a 12th grade level mobile of at least 5 characters from the novel. Include a picture and description of the character on the mobile. Include quotations from which the descriptions were inspired.

5. Imagine that your book is to be made into a movie. You are to design the soundtrack. Create a tape containing at least five (5) appropriate songs to match your book. Instrumental music is allowed. Include a paragraph describing how the music relates to the book, including quotations from which some of the selections were inspired. (Tapes will not be returned.)

6. Choose a scene from the novel. Illustrate the scene in the form of a comic strip, lasting at least 10-15 frames. Utilize color and captions. On the back write the quotation or paragraph from which the project was inspired.

7. Research a concept discussed in the novel - a particular disease, chemical properties of a substance, geographic location, etc. Create a handout that summarizes the information found. Include bibliographies for all sources used. On the back, write a paragraph describing how this topic relates to the novel, including a quotation from which the project was inspired.

8. OTHER - Other suggestions must be approved by me by Tuesday, NOVEMBER 18.

III. Open Book Test - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 - 100 POINTS

Throughout your reading of your novel you will be creating what will collectively form "Cliff’s Notes." Notice the due dates for each section.

• Book Talk – Tuesday, December 9 - 20 POINTS
  Five minute formal class presentation about your book, including a summary and evaluation of the novel. The aim is to convince other students to read or not read the book.
• List of characters and brief description – Wednesday, December 3 - 30 POINTS
• Plot summaries and commentaries - 200 POINTS TOTAL
  

  Divide the book into 4 main sections (those written on initial notecard):

  Section 1: Chapters _____ - _____ or Pages _______ - _______ November 14
  Section 2: Chapters _____ - _____ or Pages _______ - _______ November 19
  Section 3: Chapters _____ - _____ or Pages _______ - _______ November 25
  Section 4: Chapters _____ - _____ or Pages _______ - _______ December 2
  

  Write a summary (8-10 sentences describing the sequence of events) for each section. 25 POINTS EACH

  Write a commentary (8-10 sentences) for each section. 25 POINTS EACH
  1. Section of plot structure covered
  2. Description of conflicts – between whom, type (man vs. ____)
  3. Characters – directly/indirectly characterized, static/dynamic
  4. Literary techniques – foreshadowing, symbolism, examples of theme
  5. Other – additional relevant points about how the section is written
  
  
• Literary technique essay – Friday, December 5 - 100 POINTS
  Write a full essay about one of the following:
  
  • Character analysis - Choose one character and analyze physical description, personality, role in the novel, effects of being static/dynamic
  • Symbol - Choose a recurring object from the story that signifies something greater than itself. Describe what the object symbolizes and its role in the story, providing examples from the novel.
  • Theme - Choose a recurring idea - could be journey, power, things are not what they appear to be, childhood trauma, etc. Provide examples from the novel.
  • Culture - Analyze the culture of the characters in the novel. Every novel has some culture represented. (Remember there are many cultures even in the United States!) If the culture is "American," pretend you are a stranger to even basic morals, practices, etc. Focus on the aspects of culture most relevant to your text. See me for assistance!
  • Writing Style - How is the novel literally organized - type of sentences, type of vocabulary, order of plot, point of view, length of chapters, description of characters, events, setting, the ending
  
  
• Evaluation – Wednesday, December 3 - 75 POINTS
  What makes a book "good" in terms of plot and characters? How does your book compare to these requirements? Provide examples from the story. 2 paragraphs
  
  
• Test questions – Thursday, December 4 - 50 POINTS
  Write 2 questions for each level of Bloom’s Taxonomy that would be appropriate to test a student over your book.
  
  • Knowledge - recognize or recall information (identify, define, who, what, when)
  • Comprehension - describe, rephrase, compare/contrast, explain, find main idea
  • Application - classify, select, choose, apply, (previously learned information)
  • Analysis - why, analyze, conclude, distinguish, detect, determine a conclusion
  • Synthesis - construct, produce, plan, design, predict, create, change
  • Evaluation - judge, argue, appraise, do you agree, which is better

A copy of this handout can be found on my website http://www.geocities.com/drthaler