SMA Quarterly (Independent) Reading Assignment  (10% of grade) – QRA

 

As you set your reading goals for each quarter, the following key will show how you can earn your independent reading grade each marking period (nine weeks). To receive an “A” you must read 15-20 pages per day, including weekends.

 

Quarterly

 

900 and more = 90-100+                                                700 – 799 = 70-79                       

800-899 = 80-89                                                            600 – 699 = 60-69

 

Pages read must be from:

ü  completed chapter books.

ü  chapter books you have not read before. (Parents PLEASE check this one carefully).

 

To receive credit for EACH books read you must either:

 

ü  Write a good quality book summary that reflects comprehension of the book.  (See Book Summary Guidelines sheet). Summaries must be typed or written with neat penmanship and with proper punctuation and spelling

or

ü  Complete a quality Book Project.   Use list or clear your own idea with the teacher.

 

ALTERNATE BETWEEN SUMMARY AND PROJECT – each book needs one or the other.

 

If you have read more than the allotted pages by the end of the nine-week grading period, beyond extreme self-satisfaction, you will receive:

 

ü  extra credit on your QRA grade for the quarter (up to 20 points added).

 

If at the end of the quarter turn-in you are in the middle of a book, you may:

 

ü  transfer pages to the new quarter. Upon completion of the book you will prepare a summary or complete a project to receive credit for the remainder of the book for the quarter it is completed during.

 

Employability:

 

Record all reading daily in your Independent Reading Log.  Parents must sign these logs each week. Your employability grade will depend on consistently presenting these signatures and reading the required amount.  A minimum of 100 pages must be read each week to not lose points.  Up to ten points can be lost each week.  These are due on Mondays.  NOTE THAT IN THE RUNNING TOTAL YOU ADD TOTAL FROM PREVIOUS BOOKS.

 

 

Parent Signature:  _____________________       Initial____                         Date:_____________

 

Packet DUE DATE #1  10-10-08                                          Packet DUE DATE #2   12-15-08

 

 

 

 

Book Summary Guidelines

 

            If you do a book summary, your book summary must be FIVE paragraphs long. Each paragraph should contain the following components:

 

            Paragraph One:  Begin with a “grabber” sentence or a hook that will interest the reader to read on. Also, provide the name of the book, author, main characters, setting and time (present day, 1820, etc.). Make sure you underline the title of the book.

 

Paragraphs Two and Three:  Write a brief summary that reflects the main events of the book. These paragraphs will tell the reader important events of the story from the beginning, to the middle, to the end, of that book. Be sure to include the conflict and the resolution of the story. You are not retelling the book in detail but rather giving the reader enough information so that he/she has an idea of what the book is about.

 

Paragraph Four:  Write your opinion of the book. Did you enjoy the book? Would you recommend the book to any of your classmates? Was this book too difficult or too easy to read? In addition, please state why you think the author chose the title of the book.

 

Paragraph Five:  Personally respond to how the book related to your personal life. This means you should reflect on how you can relate to a character or characters or events of the book. For example, if you read a book about losing your best friend, you could discuss how it felt when you lost someone you loved.  If you cannot personally identify with the events or characters of the book, then you should personally respond by reflecting on how you think you would act in a similar situation. Use specific details from the book and your life in this paragraph.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading Book Projects

 

You may complete one of the following projects, or any other type of project you can think of, every other time you complete reading a book. In other words, you must complete a summary for the first book, and then you may prepare a project for the next completed book. Each of the following projects needs to include enough information to convince your teacher that you have fully read and comprehended your book. Also, you must vary the projects that you complete. There are plenty of ideas to choose from!  These are only suggestion.  You may be creative.

 

1. Create a persuasive newspaper or magazine ad to entice fellow students to read your book. On the back of the ad, write an explanation as to where this scene fits into the book and why you want to persuade your peers to read it.

 

1.  Movie Poster – Design a movie poster casting the book’s characters. Include a scene and/or dialogue that will persuade others to see your movie. Be sure to review newspaper movie advertisements or posters at the movie theaters to get ideas of how studios attract your attention to want to watch their movies. On the back of the poster, provide a movie review comparing and contrasting the film with the book.

 

1. Wanted Poster – Create a “Wanted Poster” for one of the story’s characters. Include a drawing of the character (you may use magazine cutout); character’s physical description, character’s misdeeds, and any other relevant information from the story. On the back of the poster, include a review of the book.

 

1. Collage – Create a collage that represents major characters and events from your book. Use pictures and words from magazines. Provide an explanation of what the various pictures used in your collage symbolize on the back of the poster. The descriptions should be detailed enough to reveal the book’s contents.

 

1. Character’s Poetry Choices – Choose five poems you believe a specific character or characters from your story would like that reflect features about the book’s theme or setting. Include a short explanation as to why these poetry choices suit the story’s characters or theme.

 

1. Postcard – Create a picture postcard that reflects the book’s theme that will entice your reader to turn over to read the note. You may design by drawing or using magazine cutouts. On the opposite side, write a letter to one or more of the characters stating what you did or did not like about the book. Attach an account of the story and how this postcard fits into the story. 

 

1. Greeting Card – Design a greeting card using the theme, characters, or setting of your story. Brainstorm the appropriate card that fits in with your book such as:  “Happy Birthday, “I’m Sorry for your Loss” (sympathy card), “I Miss You,” “Congratulations,” etc. Write a note to a character in the cad that corresponds with scenes from the book. On the back include a short summary about the book.

 

1. Test – Make a test for the story you read – This test must include at least twenty questions. You should also include a variety of questions.  Include true/false, multiple choice and at least one essay question. On a separate copy, provide answers.

 

1. Letter to Friend – Write a letter to a friend on why you did or did not like the book. Be sure to give specific details that will persuade your reader on why you believe it is or is not a book your friend should read.

 

1. Eulogy – If a character or animal from story has died, write a eulogy for him or her. When writing this intimate piece of work, think about why you or some of the characters from the story will miss (or not miss) this person. Be sure to include essential facts to support your rationale.

 

1. Poetry – Write an original poem based on the characters or theme of the story. Include an explanation as to how your poem reflects the theme of the book.

 

1. Special Words – Think of ten special words to describe the book. Then write an explanation by each word as to why you chose this word to illustrate the book’s theme. The explanations should be clear enough so that by the end of the ten descriptions, the reader has a good idea as to what the book is about.

 

1. Awards – Create an awards poster for a character. (For example, “Meanest Outlaw” or “Most Caring Mother” – make award fit exact circumstances of story). Then on back include a short synopsis as to how this award fits into the book.

 

1. Cooking – Prepare and serve food that illustrates the book’s theme. This means cooking from scratch (not picking up cupcakes from the grocery store). You will need to write out the recipe and include an explanation as to why this type of food was central to the book’s meaning. You will also need to give this explanation in a short presentation to the class when you serve your delicious culinary delight.

 

1. Map – Construct a map that provides the travels of the protagonist. Supply facts on the map that shows the reader the progression of the character’s travels and incidents that happened along the way. The explanations should be broad enough to retell the story.

 

1. Business Cards – Create business cards for each of the characters that announce their position in the book. Attach an explanation as to why you chose these descriptions of your characters so that the reader will understand the incidents from your book.

 

1. Book Marks – Design book marks for each of the characters. Include enough information on each bookmark that the reader understands the progression of the book. 

 

1. Book Jacket – Construct a book jacket with designs or drawings, information about the author, and an enticing spiel to convince others to read your book.

 

1. Create your own Project – Be creative, brilliant, and dazzling by designing your own wonderful project. Instructor’s prior approval of your project is required.

 

Independent Reading Log                                                                                                 Quarter ____

 

Keep track of all independent reading per day on this sheet and have it signed by your parent. You will be required to provide log with signatures to your teacher each MONDAY.

 

Date	Book Title	Pages	Running Total	Parent Initials
8/19	The Lottery Rose  (these are example entries)	1–18	18	PKD
8/20	“         “         “	19-37	37
8/22	“         “          “	38-68	68
8/23	“          “          “	69-82	81 (ADD)	PKD

 

 

Date	Book Title	Pages	Running Total	Parent Initials

 

 

 

 

THIS SHEET MUST BE TURNED IN WITH THE SUMMARIES AND PROJECTS