Independent Reading Project – Quarter 2

Prior Knowledge

Throughout the 2nd Quarter, the class is studying literary elements. By the end of the quarter, you will reveal your complete understanding and ability to apply your knowledge to your independent reading.

Independent Reading Project – Literary Elements Quilt

The reading and project for the 2nd quarter will be completed primarily outside of class. You may have the occasional opportunity to read at school (DEAR on Tuesdays, some class time), however you should plan to complete the majority of your reading at home. You need to finish your book before the last week of the quarter so that you will have time to complete your project. This means you should make a plan to finish your book no later than December 7th.

This project will demonstrate your comprehension of literary elements through the creation of a “Mini-Quilt”. This is not a real quilt but a paper one. It consists of eight squares (4” x 4”) in which you will incorporate visual as well as written components; a border is also included. The squares include the following elements: protagonist, antagonist, setting, character traits of the protagonist, universal theme, symbol representing the protagonist, your favorite quote from the novel, and the major conflict. This project is due Monday, December 17th!

Planning Ahead

It is my strong recommendation that you take note of the elements listed above and look for them throughout your reading so that you have notes and ideas prepared by the time you are ready to begin your project. This can be accomplished simply through sticking post-its in your book as you read that indicate information you might find valuable (such as quotes you like, important details about a character, hints about the theme, etc.).

Project Components – We will discuss this more in class as the end of the quarter approaches, but here are the criteria that you will be assessed on for the quilt project.

Your quilt must have a border and a portion of your grade will depend upon the neatness and visual appeal of your project. All of the elements listed below must be incorporated into your project:Protagonist – name and hand-drawn pictureAntagonist – name and hand-drawn pictureSetting – hand-drawn scene/picture and brief written descriptionUniversal Theme – truth about life in a complete sentenceSymbolism – hand-drawn picture and explanationFavorite Quote – text notated correctly and explanationMajor Conflict – hand-drawn picture and captionPersonality Traits/Protagonist – beginning, middle, end; what is this character like at the beginning and how does he/she change throughout the book?

Reading Response PromptsAs you read your book, I will be checking in to make sure you are making progress and comprehending the material. You will complete four reading response entries throughout the quarter.

You may only use each journal prompt once and each response must be written in a complete, 11-sentence paragraph.

Due dates for each response: Response 1: Due Friday, October 19th

Response 2: Due Friday, November 2nd

Response 3: Due Tuesday, November 16th

Response 4: Due Friday, December 7th

1. What is the problem or conflict of your book? Which characters are involved? How do you think the problem or conflict might be solved?

Start out: The conflict or problem in my book is…

2. Describe a minor character in your book. Identify the character by name and describe him/her. What is the character’s part in the story? How does this character feel about the main character and vice-versa? Use examples from the story.

Start out: A minor character in my book is…

3. Are the events in your book realistic or unrealistic? Could they really happen, are they fantasy, or a mix of both? Explain using specific examples from the book.

Start out: My book is realistic/unrealistic because…

4. Explain how a character in your book reminds you of yourself or someone you know. For example, do you or a friend or relative like some of the same things, have some of the same interests, or have similar problems as a character in your book?

Start out: The character __________, reminds me of __________. This is because…

5. Who is the main character in your book? What is this character like? Tell the character’s name, age, appearance, friends, personality, and problems…

Start out: The main character of my book is…

6. Would you like to live like the characters in your book? Explain how they live (the situation) and why or why not you would like to live like that.

Start out: I would/would not like to live like my characters because…

7. If you were the main character in your book, how would you handle the situation he or she faces in the story? Be sure to briefly describe the situation before telling how you would handle it.

Start out: If I were the main character in my book I would…

8. How did the main character in your book change or grow from the beginning to end?Start out: The main character changed…

9. What hints did the author give us about the how the story would end?Start out: The hints the author gave…

10. What caused the story to end the way it did: the character’s luck, hard work, skill, or a bright idea? What is more important in real life?

Start out: The story ended the way it did because…