Book Report Project

Grade 6

Key Ideas and Details

 	RL.6.1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. 
 	RL.6.2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. 

Craft and Structure

 	RL.6.5. Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot. 

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

 	W.6.9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. 
 	Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres [e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories] in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics”). 

Option#1 - Decorate a box to represent your book and fill it with objects that represent different parts of your book.

 	You can use a shoebox, oatmeal canister, coffee can or other similarly sized container for this project. 
 	Decorate your box to go with the book. You can draw pictures yourself or use pictures from magazines or the internet. Be sure to include the title and author of your book on the box as well as your name. 
 	Find at least 8 different objects. You can use pictures if the object you want to use is too big to fit your box. 
 	For each object, make a note card that includes the name of the object at the top and a paragraph about how the object is important to the book. 
 	As you read your book, keep a list of ideas for objects that you might want to use for this project. 

 	If you use pictures, glue them onto cardboard backings. 

 	Try to find at least one object for each chapter of your book.

Overall

-At least 8 objects were included.

-Each object has a note card with title and paragraph. 
-Shoe box is decorated.

Quality

-Note cards are neat with correct paragraph form, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
-Shoebox is appealing. Care was taken with work.

Accuracy

-Objects represent important elements in the story. -Note cards explain importance of each object.

-Shoebox is decorated appropriately; title and author are prominently displayed.

Option#2 - Use words and pictures to make a timeline of the important events in your book.

 	Include at least 10 important events from your book. 
 	Each event should include a title that explains the event and a picture. Pictures may be drawn or printed. 
 	Timeline should include dates if they are known. 
 	Include the title and author of your books above your timeline. 
 	As you read your book, keep a list of ideas for important events to include on your time line. 

 	Your timeline will be long. You may need to use butcher paper or tape several sheets of construction paper together. 

 	Use a ruler or yardstick to make your timeline straight. 
 	To keep your project neat, you may want to create each entry on a separate piece of paper and then glue them to the correct places on your time line. 

Overall

-Project is presented in time line format.

-At least 10 events from the book are included. 
-Each event includes a descriptive title and picture.

Quality

-Time line is neatly presented.
-Events are well spaced and visually appealing.

Accuracy

- 	Selected events are important to the story and presented in correct order. 

- 	Pictures match events described. 
-   Title and author are prominently displayed.

Option #3 - Pretend you are the main character of your book. Make a scrapbook with items and pictures that are important to your life and to the story.

 	Make your book at least five pages long. Include at least 20 items and/or pictures. 
 	For each item or picture, include a caption explaining what it is and why it is important. 
 	Decorate the front cover. Be sure to include the name of the main character. 
 	As you read the book, keep a list of ideas for things to include in your scrapbook. For example, if you read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you might include: A picture of your family, the Golden Ticket, a Wonka Bar Wrapper, a picture of an Oompa Loompa, a list with the names of the other children who got to go on the tour etc. 

 	One way to organize your scrapbook is to do a page for each chapter. 

 	You can get pictures from magazines and the internet or you can draw them, or take pictures and print them out. 

Overall

-Scrapbook includes at least five pages and twenty items or pictures. -Captions for pictures and items are included.
-Cover is decorated with name of character.

Quality

-Scrapbook is neatly put together and visually appealing. -Captions are neat with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Accuracy

- 	Items and pictures are important to the story and the character’s life. 

- 	Captions explain items and pictures. 

Option #4 - Create a mobile using the four story elements of your book.

 	Your mobile will have 5 parts: title and author, setting, characters, plot, and theme. 
 	Use the title and the author to decorate the part of your mobile that the other parts will hang from. 
 	For each part, find one or more small objects or pictures to represent that part of the story. 
 	For each object or picture, make a 3x5 note with a paragraph explaining why that object or picture is important to the story. 
 	Tie or tape the object and the note card to a piece of string or thread and hang it on your mobile. You can have several objects and note cards on one string – for example, if your story has 3 main characters, you could have 3 objects and 3 cards on one string. Use a different string for each story element for a total of 4. 
 	A wire hanger makes a good mobile. A stick will also work or pair of sticks tied to together in a cross. 

 	If you use pictures, glue them to a cardboard backing. You could put two pictures back to back. 

 	Try to place your strings so that your mobile balances evenly. 

Overall

-Project is presented in mobile format and includes title and author of the book. -All four story elements are included.

-Each element includes at least one object or picture and a note card.

Quality

-Mobile is neatly put together and balances evenly.
-Note cards are neat and with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Accuracy

- Objects or pictures represent the four story elements.. 

- Note cards describe each object or picture and why it was selected. 
-Title and author are prominently displayed. 

Option #5 - Create a shoebox diorama of an important scene from your book.

 	Use a shoebox set on its side to create your scene 
 	Use small objects such as toys, construction paper, and clay to create your scene. Be sure to decorate the inside walls of your box. 
 	The title and author of the book should be displayed somewhere on the outside of the box. 
 	Write or type a paragraph about your scene. Explain what is happening in the scene and why it is important to the book. You can glue your paragraph to the box or leave it separate. 
 	You can place the lid under the box (as in the picture) to create more space for your scene. 

 	Include details in your scene to make it look more realistic. 

 	You can make people and animals from clay, wire, or cardboard or you can use small toys. 

Overall

-Diorama is complete with a relevant scene from the book. -Title and author of the book are included.

-Paragraph about the scene is included.

Quality

-Diorama is neatly put together and includes many details. -Inside walls of the box are decorated to go with the scene.
-Paragraph is written neatly with correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Accuracy

- 	Scene is relevant to the book and accurately portrayed. 

- 	Paragraph is clearly written and explains why the scene is important to the book. 

Option #6 - Create a collage using pictures that represent important parts of your book.

 	Use a large piece of poster board for your collage 
 	Make sure the title and author of your book are displayed prominently on your collage. 
 	Include at least 15 pictures. You can use pictures that you cut from magazines, printout from the internet, or draw yourself. 
 	On a separate piece of paper, write a descriptive title for each picture that you included and a sentence or two about why it was important to the book. For example, if you read one of the Harry Potter books, you could include a picture of a lightning bolt and write about why Harry has that mark on his forehead. 
 	As you read your book, keep a list of important characters, events, and objects to use in your collage. 

 	Remember that in a collage, pictures overlap a bit on the edges. 

 	Be sure to glue the edges and corners down carefully to make your collage look neat. 

Overall

-Collage includes at least 15 pictures.

-Title and author of the book are included on the collage. -Descriptive title and sentences are included for each picture.

Quality

-Collage is visually appealing and neatly done with pictures carefully cut out and glued down firmly.

-Picture titles and sentences are neat with correct grammar and spelling.

Accuracy

- 	Pictures included are important to the story. 

- 	Sentences are clearly written and explain why the pictures are important to the book. 

Option #7 - Pretend your book is going to be made into a movie.
Create a movie poster to promote the movie.

 	Use a large piece of poster board for your poster. 

 	Your poster should include the following elements: 

o	The title of your book in large letters and the author of your book.

o 	A picture of an important scene from the book (do not duplicate the front cover of the book.) 

o 	A brief summary of the book, that will make people want to see the movie, but does not give too much away. 

o 	The names of the actors that will play the main characters (you can use real actors or you can make up names). 
o 	2-3 Brief comments from critics (you can make these up) 
 	Look at movie posters, DVD covers, and advertisements to get ideas. 

 	Plan out your poster first so you will have room for everything. 

 	Use bright colors. 

 	You can write directly on the poster or type the elements out on the computer and cut out and glue the printouts to your poster board. 

Overall

-Poster includes all the required elements: Large title, author, picture, summary, actors for main characters, comments from critics.

Quality

-Poster is detailed, colorful and visually appealing.
-Written parts are neat with proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Accuracy

- Scene is relevant to the story and not taken from the cover of the book. 

- Summary is accurate, but does not give too much away. 

- Critics’ comments are realistic. 

Option #8 - Choose a chapter from your book and present it as a graphic novel (comic strip style).

 	Present your graphic chapter in book format with a front cover, several pages and a back cover. 
 	The front cover should include the title of the book and chapter, name of the author, and a large picture of an important scene. 
 	The pages should tell the story in frames with pictures, captions and thought and speech bubbles. 
 	The back cover should include an About the Author paragraph about you (not the author of the book). 
 	Try to choose a chapter that will not be too hard to draw, with several different scenes and characters. 

 	Plan your graphic novel out ahead of time. Decide what will go in each frame and on each page before you begin to draw and write. 

 	Consider using a computer to make the comic frames. You could make a chart for the frames or use the shapes tool. 

 	You do not have to include all the dialogue in the chapter – just enough to tell the story. 

 	Be sure you accurately reflect the settings and characters. If the author says the main character has curly hair, draw her that way. 

Overall

-Project is presented as a graphic chapter in book format.

-Covers include title, chapter title, author, illustration and About the Author. -Pages include illustrations, captions, and speech/thought bubbles.

Quality

-Illustrations are neatly drawn and colorful.

-Captions and speech/thought bubbles are neat with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Accuracy

- 	Graphic chapter accurately reflects the chosen chapter from the book. 

- 	Story is sequenced correctly. Important points are covered. 

- 	Pictures are accurate to the chosen chapter with relevant details. 

Option #9 - Make a 3-D model of the main character of your book and write an interview with the character.

 	Use clay, wire, fabric, Paper Mache, or another medium to make a realistic model of the main character of your book. 
 	Write 10 questions that an interviewer might ask your main character. For example, if you read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory you might ask questions like, “How did you feel when you found the last Golden Ticket?” and “Why did you decide to take Grandpa Joe to the chocolate factory?” 
 	Answer each question in the voice of the character. 
 	As you read the book, write down questions that you might want to use for your interview. 

 	Try to make your questions open-ended so that they take more than a word or two to answer. For example, instead of asking, “Was it hard to be so poor?” it would be better to ask, “What were some of the ways that being poor was hard on your family?” 

 	Try to make the answers to the interview questions sound like the main character. If there is a phrase the character repeats often, use it in the answers. If the character speaks with an accent, then try to write using that accent. 

Overall

-3-D model of the main character is included in the project. -10 interview questions are asked and answered in writing.

Quality

-Character model is visually appealing and was carefully made. 
-Interview questions and answers are written neatly with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Accuracy

- 	Character model accurately reflects the character as described by the author. 

- 	Interview questions are relevant to the character’s life. 

- 	Interview answers are in the voice of the character and accurate to the book. 

Option #10 - Make a detailed map of an important setting from your book.

 	Use a large piece of paper or poster board to make your map. 
 	Draw your map as if you were looking down on the area from above. If you use symbols, be sure and include a key. 
 	Label at least 6 important places on your map. 
 	Be sure to color your map. 
 	On a separate piece of paper, write the name of each place you labeled and then write 2 to 3 sentences telling why the place is important to the story. 
 	As you read the book, write down the names of places you might want to include on your map. 

 	Plan out your map before you begin to draw it. Use light pencil lines first. Colored pencils work well for coloring a map. 

 	You can label your important places by writing on the map or you can type or write them on small strips of paper and glue them to your map. 

Overall

-Map is of an important setting from the book.

-Map includes at least 6 important places with labels. -Important places are each described in 2-3 sentences.

Quality

-Map is neat, carefully drawn and colored.
-Labels, key, and other elements are legible and neat.

-Sentences about important places are neat, with correct spelling and grammar.

Accuracy

- 	Map is an accurate representation of the setting as described by the author. 

- 	Important places identified are relevant to the book. 
- 	Sentences explain why the places identified are important to the story. 

Option #11 - Make a PowerPoint presentation about your book.

  Your presentation must include the following 7 slides:

o 	Slide 1: Introduction with title and author of your book 

o 	Slide 2: Setting of book (include description) 
o 	Slide 3: Main character (include description) 
o 	Slide 4: Supporting characters (include descriptions) 
o 	Slide5: Summary of the plot 

o 	Slide6: Your opinion of the book (short book review) 
o 	Slide 7: Your favorite part of the book. 

 	Each slide should include: 

o 	A title 
o  A background
o  Text and pictures where appropriate.
o 	Animation 

 	You may also want to include sound effects, transitions, hotlinks and buttons. 
 	It is okay to design one background to use on all your slides. 

 	Vary your animations to make your presentation more exciting. 

 	It is fine to include extra slides if appropriate. 

 	Remember to include meaningful text for each slide. 

Overall

-PowerPoint presentation includes the 7 required slides. -Each slide includes a title, background, text, and animation.

Quality

-PowerPoint presentation runs without errors. -Slides are well planned out and appealing.
-Titles and text are spelled correctly with correct grammar, and punctuation.

Accuracy

- 	Titles, text, and pictures are relevant to the book. 

- 	Text clearly explains the different elements of the book. 

Option #12 - Make a glossary for some of the interesting words in your book. Then create a word search with those words.

 	Choose 10 interesting words from your book. For each word, create a glossary entry. Each entry must include: 
o The word and the page number in the book where you found it. o A dictionary definition.
o 	An original sentence using the word. 
 	On another sheet of paper, create a word search that includes all 10 words. 
 	Include a title page with the title of the book, the author and an illustration. 
 	As you read the book, write down words that you might want to use. Don't forget to also write down the page number where you found each word. 

 	Many words have several definitions. You only need to use the one that applies to the way the word was used in your book. 

 	Use graph paper to make your word search. Begin by putting in your ten words, longest words first, then fill the empty boxes with random letters. 

Overall

-Glossary includes 10 words from the book with page numbers, definitions, and original sentences.
-Word search  and title page are included.

Quality

-Glossary is neatly done with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. -Word search is neat and appealing.

-Title page is carefully completed with an appealing picture.

Accuracy

- 	Words are correctly defined and correctly used in sentences. 

- 	Word search includes all 10 words. 

Option #13 - Create a board game based on your book.

 	Your board game should incorporate the setting, characters, and plot of your book. Your game should include: 

o 	A board that is used to play the game. Include the title of the book and the author somewhere on the board. 

o 	Markers, cards, spinner, dice, and anything else needed to play the game. 
o 	Directions explaining how the game is played. 
 	Poster board makes a good game board. You could also use the inside of a large file folder. 

 	Be sure to plan your game board out before you begin drawing. 

 	The easiest way to incorporate parts of the story is to include them on the board. Players can advance spaces for good things that happen and go back spaces for bad things. 

 	You can also use cards and the markers to incorporate story elements. 

 	You will need to devise a method for moving from start to finish. Consider dice, cards, or a spinner. 
 	Be sure your directions are sequential and easy to understand. 

Overall

-Board game is based on the book.

-Board game includes everything needed to play the game and directions.

Quality

-Board game is carefully made, visually appealing and fun to play. -Writing is neat, with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Accuracy

- 	Characters and events in the game are consistent with the book. 

- 	Directions for play are clear, complete, and well sequenced. 

Option #14 - Write a series of letters between you and a character from the book.

 	You will need to write six letters altogether: three from you to the character in your book and three from the character back to you. Include a cover page with the title, author and an illustration. 
 	Each letter should be about a page long. 
 	In your letters, ask the character questions that have to do with the character’s life and the story. Have the character answer the questions in his or her letters back to you. Write about things that you find interesting and things that you and the character have in common. 
 	Do something to distinguish the character’s letters from yours. Some ideas include: Using different paper or stationary, changing your handwriting, or typing either your or the character’s letters. You could also include illustrations. Be sure to write your character’s letter’s in his or her voice. 
 	In your first letter, make it clear why you are writing. Maybe you met the character at summer camp. Maybe you were matched in a school pen pal project. Use your imagination. 

 	Even though you will be asking questions, try not to make your letters sound like an interview. Make them friendly and chatty. It is fine to tell the character about your life, especially if you can relate something in your life to the character’s life. For example, if your character has a little brother that drives him crazy, you could talk about your little sister. 

Overall

-Project includes 6 letters of about a page each.

-Cover page with title, author and illustration is also included.

Quality

-Letters are chatty and interesting to read.

-Letters are written neatly in correct friendly letter format with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Accuracy

- 	Content of the letters are connected with characters and events in the book. 

- 	Character’s letters are written in his or her voice. 

-Character’s letters look and sound different from student’s letters.

Option #15 - Create a test about your book.

 	Your test should be designed to find out if a person has read and understood the book. Questions should be focused on important parts of the book, not tiny details. 

 	Your test should include the following elements 
o  Directions for each section.
o  At least 10 True/False questions.

o At least 10 multiple choice questions. o At least 10 short answer questions.
o  An answer key.
o 	A cover page with the title, author and an illustration. 
 	Try to ask questions from the beginning, middle, and end of your book. 
 	Focus on setting, characters, and plot. 
 	While you are reading the book, write down questions you might want to use and the page numbers where you found them. 

 	Make your multiple choice questions tricky by providing wrong answers that seem like they might be right. 

 	Don’t make your questions too easy, but try not to make them too hard either. Sometimes it helps to ask for someone else’s opinion. 

Overall

-Test includes directions, at least 10 True False Questions, 10 multiple choice questions, 10 short answer questions, and answer key.
-Cover page with title, author, and an illustration is also included.

Quality

-Test is laid out sequentially. Questions make sense and are not confusing. -Questions are neatly written with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Accuracy

- 	Questions are focused on important parts of the story. 

- 	Questions are not too easy and not too hard. 

-Answer key is complete and correct.