Indpendent Reading Project - Powered By OnCourse Systems For Education

Independent Reading Project Ideas

Write a Letter to the Author. After reading a book, each student shares reactions to the book in a letter written to its author.

Interview a Character. Each student composes six to eight questions to ask a main character in a book just completed. The student also writes the character's response to each question. The questions and answers should provide information that shows the student read the book without giving away the most significant details.

What Did You Learn? Each student writes a summary of what he or she learned from a book just completed. The summary must include the requirements of the rubric and might include factual information, something learned about people in general, or something the student learned about himself or herself.

In the News. Each student creates the front page of a newspaper that tells about events and characters in a book just read. The newspaper page might include weather reports, an editorial or editorial cartoon, ads, etc. The title of the newspaper should be something appropriate to the book.

Prove It in 5 Minutes. Each student gives a 120-second (2-minute) oral presentation in which he or she shares information about a book's plot and characters. The student closes the presentation by offering an opinion and recommendation about the book. Then students in the audience have 150 seconds to question the presenter about the book. If the presenter is able to prove in five minutes that he or she read the book, the student is excused from filing a written report about it.

Write your own test. A combination of matching, multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay. (20 question minimum) You must include an answer key.

**Remember, you must have ALL of the rubric requirements included in your project.

Independent Reading Project Rubric

	4	3	2	1
Setting, Characters, Conflict & Resolution Describe the setting characters, conflict and resolution.	I have ALL of the following: The setting, characters, conflict and resolution are clearly identified.	I have 3 of the following: The setting, characters, conflict and resolution are clearly identified.	I have 2 of the following: The setting, characters, conflict and resolution are clearly identified.	I have 1 of the following: The setting, characters, conflict and resolution are clearly identified.
Setting & Characters How does the setting affect the characters?	Analyzes how the setting shapes or affects the characters.	Attempts to analyze how the setting shapes or affects the characters.	Demonstrates little understanding of how the setting shapes or affects the characters.	Demonstrates no understanding of how the setting shapes or affects the characters.
Characters, Conflict & Resolution How are the characters affected by the conflict or other events in the story?	Analyzes how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events.	Attempts to analyze how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events.	Demonstrates little understanding of how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events.	Demonstrates no understanding of how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events.
Theme/Main Idea What is the theme of the story? Support with evidence.	The theme/main idea of the story is clearly identified with supporting details or examples from the novel.	The theme/main idea of the story is somewhat identified with supporting details or examples from the novel.	The theme/main idea of the story is clearly identified without supporting details or examples from the novel.	The theme/main idea of the story is somewhat identified without supporting details or examples from the novel.
Presentation Is your project organized? Does it include the title of the book? Did you put it in the format that your project requires?	The presentation is organized, includes the title of the book and in the format the project requires.	I have 2 of the following: The presentation is organized, includes the title of the book and in the format the project requires.	I have 1 of the following: The presentation is organized, includes the title of the book and in the format the project requires.	The presentation is not organized, does not include the title of the book and is not in the format the project requires.