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BOOK CLOSURE PROJECT-

These are the book closure project options.

CHOICES:

A.  (Inspired by Otis’ commentary) Making Connections! I will give the worksheets out on Tuesday. Check out the worksheet for your final draft and drawings. Quinn made a sample page. Instructions: think about three moments where you connected with the story. Write a detailed paragraph explaining your connection to this part of the story.  Sketch what really happened in the story and put that on the worksheet.  Then, draw what happened in your mind in the thinking bubble.  You really need to look at the worksheet to understand this task. Once your writing has been edited, either glue a printed version down on the worksheet or hand write your final draft using a pen. This assignment is three paragraphs with accompanying artwork because you write one paragraph for eachmoment where you connected with the story.

B.  Fiona thought this up.   The Three Arguments! Argue that you love the book. Write about your three favorite moments in the story (each part has at least a one paragraph description).  Using text evidence, explain why each section was important to you.  The artwork is optional- make a drawing of the scene as well.

OR you can write about the book’s genre! Write three arguments that prove why this genre is the best in the world. Extract text evidence to make your case. Make sure you are pointing out evidence that defines the genre. Each argument is at least one paragraph and convincing. The artwork is optional.

C. Sofia came up with this. Three important events that happened in the story. Pick events that you already want to discuss, so the writing comes easily. Then write one paragraph about each scene.  Make sure each paragraph is descriptive to the point where your reader can close his or her eyes and imagine what you wrote. Once you have competed the entire editing process, put the paragraphs in an envelope.  Make three really detailed drawings of same three key events that happened in your book. Put the drawings on separate sheets of paper. The drawings will be used for a guessing game later; students will read your paragraphs and guess which drawing goes with the paragraph.

Sofia’s sample paragraph:

Book:  Dirt by Denise Orenstein

What is happening in this picture is that Yonder is scaring a pony away that she captured. She is doing it so the authorities (that rudely walked right into her home and room without permission) don’t take it to animal control. Yonder captured the pony [Dirt] so it’s owner wouldn’t sell it for horsemeat. Dirt is Yonder’s only real friend. Yonder is bullied in school and her mother died in a car crash.

C.   Claire wanted to talk about her book. Hey, let me tell you about this book!  This is a series of conversation points that you want to make about your last book. Were you really pulled into the world of your book? Are you angry with some of the plot choices that your author made?  Were you surprised by plot developments? Did you just want to talk more about your book?  If so, come up with ten talking points.  Each point needs to connect with evidence from the text.  The talking points should be no shorter than three sentences. Feel free to ask questions, talk about events that happened in the story, or make passionate comments about your book.  Explain the point you want to make and be sure to connect it to specific parts of your book.  Leave space for a reply, so your reader can respond. I will respond to you if I have read the book.

Here is Claire’s sample of a talking point:

Book: Wings of Fire by Tui Southerland

1.     When the book started to tell us about Glory’s powers, I was amazed because the author made her seem so innocent and powerless. On page 237 it says, “She hissed, and a jet of black liquid shot out of her two longest fangs. Burn shoved Queen Scarlet in front of her and shot into the sky. Glory’s venom hit Scarlet on the side of her face.” What did you think about this?

D.  Matthew P.  wanted to make an informational report option. I love my book. First, write an introductory paragraph about the book. The middle paragraph explores the characters’ adventures in the book. Write a one paragraph concluding argument explaining why you like the book. Use text evidence to solidify your arguments.

Q/A:

1.    Can I do the whole thing on a computer?  Sure!  You can write a rough draft right on the computer and edit that same draft later. The final draft is the only thing that is collected.

2.    Can I turn in a final draft that is written in pencil?  No, your final draft is completely edited and completed in ink.

3.    Can I skip the artwork?  Yes, this is a writing assignment.  You can express your ideas with words.

4.    Can I skip the writing and do only artwork?  No, this is a writing task.

5.    Can I put a bunch of sentences or keywords in the thinking bubble  (Making Connections) instead of a drawing?  Yes, some people would rather write words instead of drawing.

6.    How do I select a book for this assignment?  You have daily assigned reading.  If you do the thirty minutes each night, you should have completed a couple of books. Pick the book that you want to talk about the most.  If you don’t want to talk about the books you read, they are not the right books for you!

7. Can I write more than is required? Yes!

How to get help:

1.    Make sure your family knows about this assignment.  Tell them that you need support and supplies.  You will need editors to check spelling, capitalization, format, and ending punctuation.

2.    We just started the homework buddy system. You can talk with classmates if your family permitted you to do so.

3.    Reread the instructions a few times and spend some time talking about what you intend to write before you start.

4.    Talk to classmates about your questions.  They may be able to help you.  If you feel stumped, put your question into the question box.

5.    You may need to do some rereading… It is okay to get your book out and reread a section to get ideas.

TIPS:

1.    Don’t stress!  Do a little each day,  however, make sure you keep up with the assignment log.  You will have to manage writing assignments for homework in fifth grade and middle school.  Take some deep breaths and get it done. Avoiding the assignment can lead to stress!

2.    Support yourself as a writer.  Post the schedule for this assignment near your workspace.  Is your writing workspace quiet?

3.  Don’t overthink this stuff!  You are supposed to enjoy talking about a good book.

Questions to stir up writing ideas (these questions were generated by the whole class):

1.     When you read your story, does the story make you think about anything in your life? For example, I recently read a book where a woman is getting hassled for being a warrior and a dragon rider.  People in the story threw rotting potatoes and her and yelled insults. This made me think about the real world.  I think the same thing could happen in my society because women who break out of traditional roles are often misunderstood. I believe that women can do anything, but not everyone around me feels the same. I related to what was happening in my story because of the struggles women face in my own society.

2.     Did the main character grow or change throughout the story?

3.     When you escaped into the book, where did you go?  Why do you like going to that place? Is there a character that reminds you of yourself?

4.     Is there a conflict between good and evil that draws you in and makes you forget about your own world?

5.     Which character do you care about the most? Why? Is there a character that reminds you of someone you know?

6.         Why do you enjoy reading work by this author? Can you find specific examples of writing that stood out for you in the text?

7.     Is there a character that reminds you of someone you know?

8.     Did this story make you think about another story?

9.     Did the villain in your story remind you of a villain in your own life?

10. Do the fight scenes give you some sort of satisfaction?  Why?

11.      Are you happy with the ending?

12.      Does the main character make any mistakes? How did the mistakes impact the story?