DID YOU FINISH READING A BOOK?
CHECK OUT THIS LIST OF OPTIONAL TASKS!

1. Design and make your own T-shirt—either design one on paper, or decorate an actual shirt!
  • Illustrate a scene or character from the book on a T-shirt.
  • Write a short but detailed summary of the scene or description of the character and explain why what you share is important to the story. Aim for at least three paragraphs.
All genres
 
2. Create a mobile of items related to the story.
  • Select 10 items that represent people, places, or events in the book and hang them from a hanger using string or yarn.
  • Write a key that explains each object and why you chose it.
All genres
 
3. Make “wanted” posters for characters in the book.
  • Choose at least two different characters from the book who could be “wanted” for crimes, failures, or mistakes.
  • Research sample wanted posters and try to make yours look authentic. Examples of information to include on your poster:
    • the “crime”
    • physical description
    • where the character was last seen
    • reward amount
All genres
 
4. Make a new book jacket for the book.
  • Front cover: Draw and color an illustration for the book.
  • Inside front flap: Write descriptions of the main characters.
  • Inside back flap: Write a description of the setting and a short summary of the book.
  • Back cover: Write quotes from the book that are important to understanding the story.
All genres
 
5. Create a collage to represent the book.
  • Include at least 10 photos or illustrations.
  • Write a key describing each item on the collage and its importance.
All genres
 
6. Write a comic book version of your book.
  • Use comic panes, call-outs, and colored illustrations to retell the story.
Fiction (Realistic, Historical); Mystery; Fantasy
 
7. Create a book in bag.
  • Choose 10 items that represent people, places, and events in the book. Place them in a brown paper bag.
  • Write a key describing each of the items, explaining the importance of each.
All genres
 
8. Write a letter to the author.
  • Include all elements of a friendly letter. Share:
    • Your opinion of the book and why
    • The character in the book you are most like and why
    • Your favorite part of the book and why
    • Questions that you have about the book
  • Include your return address on the letter and an addressed envelope if you wish to send the letter.
All genres
 
9. Write out an interview between you and a character.
  • Write 10 questions to ask the character. Then, answer each question as you think the character would respond based on the book.
All genres
 
10. Create a Ten Facts handout.
  • Create a fact sheet of 10 facts that you learned by reading the book.
Nonfiction/Informational; Biography or Autobiography
 
11. Create a board or card game about the book.
  • Include details about the setting, characters, and plot. Include instructions and all game pieces.
All genres
 
12. Draw and paint or color a portrait of a character.
  • Include a description of the character whom you colored or painted.
All genres
 
13. Write diary entries that a character would write that include details about the story.
  • Diary entries should be at least 10 sentences each.
Fiction (Realistic, Historical); Mystery; Fantasy; Biography or Autobiography
 
14. Create an illustrated timeline.
  • Choose at least 10 important events from the story.
  • Write a description of each event, and draw & color an illustration for each event.
  • The events should be on the timeline in the order in which they occurred.
All genres
 
15. Create a diorama of a scene from the book.
  • Create a 3-D scene from the book inside of a shoebox.
  • Write a description of what the scene shows.
All genres
 
16. Make a map of places where the story took place.
  • The map should be colored.
  • Write a description of what each place is and why it is important.
All genres
 
17. Create a sculpture of a character.
  • Use modeling clay or papier-mâché to sculpt a character.
  • Write a description of the character whom you sculpted.
All genres
 
18. Illustrate three important scenes from the book.
  • Drawings should be colored.
  • Write a description of what each scene is and why it is important.
All genres
 
19. Write a letter to the main character of your book.
  • Include all elements of a friendly letter.
  • Include questions, complaints, suggestions, or opinions.
Fiction (Realistic, Historical); Mystery; Fantasy; Biography or Autobiography
 
20. Create a travel brochure for a book.
  • Make a colorful brochure based on the setting of your book.
  • Give reasons people should want to visit this location.
  • Describe what occurred in this location in the book.
Fiction (Realistic, Historical); Mystery; Fantasy
 
21. Send postcards from one of the characters to your teacher.
  • On the back of each postcard, write a short summary of an important event from the story from the character’s point of view.
  • On the front, illustrate that event.
Fiction (Realistic, Historical); Mystery; Fantasy
 
22. Create a book award.
  • Create a special award for the book as well as an award ribbon.
  • Illustrate the book’s cover, and attach the book award ribbon.
  • On the back of the book’s cover, explain why you are giving the award.
All genres
 
23. Create a CD album booklet about the book.
  • Illustrate the front cover, and include the CD title and band
  • On the back, come up with 10 or more song titles that represent characters, settings, or events in the book.
  • On the inside of the booklet, write a short summary of the book.
All genres
 
24. Create a picture book version of your book.
  • Rewrite the book for a Kindergarten or 1st grade audience. Use short sentences and age-appropriate words so that they can read it easily.
  • Illustrate each page to go along with the story.
Fiction (Realistic, Historical); Mystery; Fantasy
 
25. Write a report card for a character in your book.
  • Choose a character in your book, and evaluate 5 of his or her traits based on how the character behaved in the story.
  • Support each grade with details from the book.
All genres
 
26. Write a new ending for the story or add an extra chapter.
  • Write a different ending for the story and tell how it affects the characters, OR,
  • Write an extra chapter for the book that gives more details about an event that has already been described or a new event.
Fiction (Realistic, Historical), Mystery, Fantasy
 
27. Write a test about the book you read.
  • Use information from the book to create a test that you could give other readers to check their understanding of the story.
    The test could include matching, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions.
  • Make sure you also include an answer key!
All genres
 
28. Create a sports trading card for a sports figure.
  • On the front, draw and color a picture of the person.
  • On the back, write the person’s statistics such as name; birthday; hometown; high school or university attended; sport played; how he or she got started in the sport; and important accomplishments.
Biography or Autobiography
 
29. Create a Venn diagram to show similarities and differences between the main character and yourself.
Fiction (Realistic, Historical, Mystery); Biography or Autobiography
 
30. Make a PowerPoint presentation about your book.
  • Include information such as title, author, plot outline, setting description, character descriptions, favorite part, book review, and facts that you learned.
All genres

31. Write a five paragraph report about your book.
Choose any three of the following and have a body paragraph for each. Then, write introductory and concluding paragraphs.
  1. Explain the title.
  2. What category or genre do you think it fits into?
  3. What do you think the author’s purpose was?
  4. Something you liked about it.
  5. Something you disliked about it.
  6. Describe the setting.
  7. Which character did you like most?
  8. Which character did you like least?
  9. Describe one of the main characters.
  10. What changes does a main character go through?
  11. Describe one significant episode.
  12. What techniques does the author use to tell the story?
  13. How did reading it change you, or your views?
  14. What would you say to persuade a friend to read it or not to read it?
  15. What feedback would you give the author?
  16. How might you have written it differently?
  17. What do you think of the ending?
  18. What happens, or should happen, after the ending?
  19. What would you want to read about in a sequel or prequel?
All genres
 
32. Make a book...about your book.
  • Include information such as a summary page, character pages, and a setting page [each at least one paragraph long], as well as pictures for each topic. Bind it up and make it look realistic!
​All genres

33. Make an ad for your book.
  • This could be a video ad OR a print ad! How can you "sell" people on reading this book?
​All genres


34. Write a newspaper article about an important incident in your book.
  • Make sure you answer the questions that journalists always try to address in their reporting: Who, what, where, when, why, and how.
​All genres

35. Invent, and then explain, a new title for the book.
  • Please make sure that you explain how the new title would be a good option, noting what happens in the story.
​All genres

36. Create the  journal that a character in the book might have kept, if they were journaling.
  • Please make sure that you explain how the new title would be a good option, noting what happens in the story.
​All genres

37. Design a trailer video or a poster that advertises the movie version of the book.
  • How would a theater advertise this story?
​All genres

 Your main goal for each of these options is to
DEMONSTRATE
YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
OF YOUR BOOK.

Remember to include the book title and the author's name (all correctly capitalized) no matter which option you choose.

Once each month, at the end of the month, one book response is due. In September, it will be a formative assessment in Powerschool, and in all months after, it will be a summative assessment.

Make sure your response is "Best-Shot Draft" quality: It should look neat, organized, and professional looking! 

IF YOU DO MORE THAN ONE IN A MONTH: 
All tasks completed beyond the monthly mandatory earn XP, based on how well  you demonstrate that knowledge, as well as on quality,
accuracy,
and the
quantity
of the work you produce, as well as  the apparent effort you put into the task.

You can talk with Mr. Graykin if you’d like to have a specific rubric.






HAVE YOUR OWN IDEA?

Pitch it to Mr. Graykin!
EMAIL HIM BY CLICKING HERE

GUIDELINE
GENERAL RUBRIC
(See Mr. Graykin if you want advice for success or a rubric specific to the project choice you have made)

Information shared
    Clear
    Detailed
    Interesting, including…
  • some sort of attention-grabber
    Evidence is present of having read…
  • the back cover
  • one paragraph to one page
  • a chapter or two
  • a section (eg, the beginning and/or middle)
  • the whole book


Writing quality
    Appropriate title and useful
      headings/captions
    Clear and precise language
    Well organized; properly paragraphed
    Carefully proofread


Look of the work
    Neat, clean layout
              *   Nothing looks crowded
              *   Carefully aligned    Sharp, high contrast lines
    Typed or carefully
      lettered/handwritten
    Good use of color and/or shading