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Directions For...Independent Reading
Letter to 7Green Partner
When you finish reading your book, you will write a letter to your 7Green partner(s). Address the letter to your partner(s), (“Dear _____”:) and follow the directions below carefully. This will be an in class writing.
Your Letter will have three parts…
· The first part of your letter needs to be a summary of the plot of the book. State the title, author, and genre. Briefly explain the setting-where and when the book takes place, and tell what the book is about, and what the MAJOR events were. This part will likely need to be more than one paragraph.
· Be sure you include the most important details from the beginning, middle, and end of the book that significantly impact or influence the plot (use your plot detail worksheet to help with this!). Your partner should have a complete sense of the ENTIRE plot of the book from your summary.
· Your summary should be more detailed than the one found on the back or inside cover flap of the book, but it should NOT be an exhaustive analysis of each and every minute detail.
· These guidelines for the summary also apply to Non-Fiction books, but you will need to focus on what the book is about and how it was told.
· The second part of your letter needs to describe ONE of the following…
Your favorite scene (or part of the book) OR your favorite character
If you are writing about your favorite scene, include details about the following…
· Which characters/individuals were involved?
· Where does it take place?
· Exactly what happens in the scene? How/why is this scene important to the story?
· How did you feel or what did you think about/wonder while you were reading this scene?
· Why did you especially like this scene/part?
Give specific details and explanations that make the scene clear to your partner.
If you are writing about your favorite character, give specific details and explanations that make the character(s) clear to your partner. Include the following…
· What is the character’s name and role in the story?
· What is his/her personality like?
· How is he/she important to the rest of the story?
· Give specific reasons why you liked him/her.
It is ok to write about a group of characters if you want. It’s also ok to write about a character or group of characters you particularly disliked.
These guidelines also apply to Non-Fiction books, but you will give details about your favorite individual or person (characters are only in fiction).
· The third part of your letter needs to be a brief critique of the book. Tell your partner what your overall impression of the book is and why. Some things to think about are:
· What was the best thing about this book?
· Would you recommend it to others? Why?
· What kinds of readers do you think would like it the most?
· If it is part of a series, list the other titles in the series. Have you read any? How did this compare?
· What does the title have to do with the story/characters?
· Does it remind you of any other book/story you've read? If so, what?
· If this book was made into a movie, how do the two compare?
Make the last part of your letter interesting.
If you are writing about a "Region Book", your letter's LAST PART needs to include details about the following:
· What did you learn about the peoples and the culture of the region from reading this book?
· What aspects of the culture, history, traditions, etc. did you find most compelling? Why?
Make sure your letter is well balanced in all parts. In terms of length, you only have ONE class period in which to complete your letter, so you need to come to class prepared. Most students will be writing 2-3 pages for this assignment. If it is considerably shorter, you’ve probably left important details out. If it is considerably longer, you’ve probably included details that aren’t important. If you have any questions come to extra help for a pre-writing conference.
Close the letter politely—you may say “Sincerely”, “Cordially”, “Yours truly”, then sign your name.
PLEASE PRINT ENOUGH COPIES OF YOUR LETTER SO THAT MS.VACCA AND YOUR PARTNER(S) EACH GET ONE
Due Dates: TERM 1________ TERM 2________
TERM 3________ TERM 4________
Directions For...Independent Reading Visual Display
When you finish writing your letter, you will also make a visual display. These are due the day after the in-class writing--see the poster in room 327 for specifics.
You have a choice for the visual you create. You must do a different visual each term, and you'll complete one of each sort by the end of the year.
a) A poster (poster board size). This should give information and visuals that will entice people to read the book (plot, characters, settings, etc.). Think about the kind of poster YOU think would be good to make the book appealing for others to read.
b) A "quilt" or wall hanging that shows important aspects of the book (theme, character/person, lesson, events). This can be made of paper, fabric, felt, or any other material you feel would make an attractive display. It should be no larger than the size of a standard poster board. Typically a quilt is constructed in “blocks”, so try to put your information in “blocks”, but you can also do a wall hanging that is not in “blocks”. See Ms. V. for some student samples. Use your imagination-it’s up to you.
c) A display of a 3-D object that was important to the book. This can be made by you, or a pre-made object that you bring in, but it needs to be enhanced and explained with captions, visuals, etc. you include with it.
d) Free choice—you decide. You may make a sculpture, a bookmark, a collage, etc.—you may not repeat one of the projects you’ve already done again.
All visuals must include the following things, no matter what choice you are doing:
· Title of the book
· Author’s name
· Genre of the book
· Visual images and pictures that represent important aspects of the book—major characters, events, exciting scenes, places and settings. You decide what is significant and would help those who haven’t read the book understand more about it. Be sure that there is a balance between images generated by the computer and those generated from your brain and hand.
· Writing—all pictures need captions that explain in detail what they are and why they are important. You may want to include your own descriptions, and reactions, and/or take some quotes directly from the book.
· Color and design—make your display colorful, neat, and attractive.
Due Dates: TERM 1________ TERM 2________
TERM 3________ TERM 4________
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