Book Project

Date with a Book

(Please remember that the book you choose should be age-appropriate and needs to be a work of fiction.)

Here are the details for your independent reading project, which is due on THURSDAY, MAY 18^th.

The Setting

Each of you will have a desk on which to display the following:

-          Your book

-          A summary of the five literary elements in your book

(These can be displayed in any way, as long as they are contained on your desk. You can place them on a book cover that you create, on a piece of paper next to your book, on a small sandwich board, on several notecards – however you wish.)

-          Any extras you’d like to include (creativity is part of your grade)

The Requirements

As discussed in class, you must present each of the literary elements as they are illustrated in your book. Please include:

-          A plot summary (again, present this how you wish – map, paragraph, however – but please make sure you use complete sentences)

-          The conflict (identify the type of conflict and explain, with a sentence or two, why you chose that conflict specficially)

-          The setting

-          The theme (please explain with a few sentences how the book illustrates the theme you chose)

-          Characterization (identify the protagonist, the antagonist, and one static character and one dynamic character. Explain why you chose the static/dynamic characters.)

The Date

You will have approximately five minutes to spend with about 7 or 8 books. During this time, you will read the summaries provided and will rate your interest in the book from 1 to 10. Students who “dress up” will receive extra credit.

Private Investigators

You guys did an AWESOME job during our making inferences lesson. I see some future detectives in here!!! Keep up the good work.

(lol)

And, on an unrelated note, here's a picture of two of our greatest detectives, simultaneously experiencing nose situations. 'Twas a fun day.

Discussion questions due tomorrow

Hello! Here are the questions that we started to answer in class today. Although most of you are finished, I've posted them here in case you forget your book today and need to complete them at home tonight. For some of these questions, there is no "right answer" - you will need to state your opinion and support your reasoning. I have modified some of the questions based on what we discussed in class. I am not looking for a specific length for each question (though most of them will need several sentences for an adequate answer). I am looking for the quality of your answer and the examples you provide from the text.

1. Name a couple pairs that seemed "imperfect" for each other, and explain how they were imperfect.
Now, name a few pairs that turned out to be the "perfect" match, and explain how they benefited from their relationships with their partners.

2. Turtle never reveals the truth about Sam Westing and the Westing Game to anyone - not even her husband, Theo. Why do you think she keeps this a secret? Do you think you would be able to keep such a big secret from your family and friends?

3. Why does Sam Westing come up with the Westing Game? (Hint: Think about that word we discussed today: "redemption.") Do you think it turns out the way he hoped?

4/ Which of the heirs did you find to be the most trustworthy? Which did you find to be the most suspicious? Explain.

Character Charts

Hi everyone. So sorry I couldn't access the blog on Friday to post an update about the character charts. There are certain characters for whom you will not need all of the boxes filled (2 - 3 will suffice). They are:

Barney Northrup

George Theodorakis

Julian R. Eastman

Dr. Sydney Sikes

E.J. Plum

Due to Terra Nova testing, your chart will now be due this Wednesday, April 5th.