Independent Reading Project
Today, we are working in the library to choose INDEPENDENT READING books.
This book must be an appropriate fiction, non-fiction, biography, or autobiography of at least 115 pages that promises to intrigue and inspire you. Ms. Lefebvre must approve and sign off on this book by the end of the period.
You will be dividing this book into four sections by taking the total number of pates and dividing that number by four.
After reading each of the FIRST THREE sections, respond to your reading by choosing a different one of the nine options offered (see below). There will be six options you do not use.
For the FOURTH response, after you have finished reading the entire book, you MUST COMPLETE the one-page essay assignment.
Be prepared to turn this project in on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21st.
Independent Reading
Response Options
1. Name the Section
Give the section an appropriate title.
Explain why you selected that title. Give at least two properly cited passages that support the title. Then, explain how these passages support the title you have chosen. Be detailed and specific.
2. Quote a Passage
Find a passage in the section that gives insight into the concept of identity. Copy the passage in your reading log, using proper citation.
Explain, in a detailed and specific manner, why you selected that particular passage. You may want to consider addressing the questions:
· How do you fit into your community?
· How does a person overcome the difficulties of fitting into a new community?
· To what extent, if any, should a person change in order to accommodate community expectations?
· How do communities determine whom to include and whom to exclude?
3. Vivid Description
Find a passage in the chapter that offers a vivid description of something—the setting, a person, an event, etc. Copy the passage in your reading log, using proper citation.
Draw a picture to illustrate the passage you quoted.
4. Making Connections
Explain how a character in this section encounters a similar situation as you have in your exploration of identity that has come as a part of growing up. Identify a passage that demonstrates how your character is exploring identity and copy the passage into your reading log using proper citation. Then, in detail, explain how this passage connects to your life. You may want to consider the following questions:
· How do you fit into your community?
· How does a person overcome the difficulties of fitting into a new community?
· To what extent, if any, should a person change in order to accommodate community expectations?
· How do communities determine whom to include and whom to exclude?
5. Letter to Another Character
Imagine you are one of the characters in the book and write a letter to another character about your experiences, thoughts, and feeling regarding how your identity has changed throughout the section or sections. In your letter, make sure to quote a properly cited passage that supports your claim concerning how your identity has changed. You may want to consider the following questions:
· How do you fit into your community?
· How does a person overcome the difficulties of fitting into a new community?
· To what extent, if any, should a person change in order to accommodate community expectations?
· How do communities determine whom to include and whom to exclude?
6. Comparison
Compare or contrast the section of reading to real-life events, books, movies, etc. that deal with the same ideas and issues. Include a properly cited passage that demonstrates how the section of reading compares or contrasts to the event, book, or movie that you are comparing or contrasting it to.
7. Poetry
Write a poem or song about the characters, theme, or plot of the section you read. Include descriptive language to create a visual picture for your reader. In addition, make sure to include a properly cited passage at the top of your response and explain why that particular quotation was an inspiration for your poem.
8. Diary
Imagine you are a character in the book and write a diary entry about your experiences, thoughts, and feelings in this section regarding your exploration of identity. Include a properly cited passage and explain how it demonstrates these experiences, thoughts, and feelings. You may want to consider the following questions:
· How do you fit into your community?
· How does a person overcome the difficulties of fitting into a new community?
· To what extent, if any, should a person change in order to accommodate community expectations?
· How do communities determine whom to include and whom to exclude?
9. Song
Choose a selection (about 5-7 lines) of appropriate song lyrics from any song you know that relates to the assigned section of the book. Include the lyrics and a detailed description of how they relate. In addition, include a properly cited passage and explain how it supports your argument of how the song and section of your text relate.
ONE-PAGE ESSAY (A mandatory response after you have completed your book):
When you have read the entire book, you must write a one-page essay in which you answer one of our core curriculum questions. Make a clear claim answering the question and support it using evidence from your independent reading text. Follow the criteria we have established for good writing, and be sure to properly cite quotations. Answer one of the questions below:
1. How do you fit into your community?
2. How does a person overcome the difficulties of fitting into a new community?
3. To what extent, if any, should a person change in order to accommodate community expectations?
4. How do communities determine whom to include and whom to exclude?
In order to receive full credit for your work, you must include direct evidence
from the text in your response. These passages must be cited using MLA guidelines.
According to MLA, you do not need to give the author’s last name if it is clear that all references are from the same source. Follow the examples below:
Walter expresses his anger about the family’s poverty: “I just want to be able to live a life like everyone else” (43).
Michelle says of her struggle, “It was the worst four years of my life” (16).
He questions, “Ain’t my wife supposed to have no pearls ‘round her neck?” (122).
NOTE:
Response Options
1. Name the Section
Give the section an appropriate title.
Explain why you selected that title. Give at least two properly cited passages that support the title. Then, explain how these passages support the title you have chosen. Be detailed and specific.
2. Quote a Passage
Find a passage in the section that gives insight into the concept of identity. Copy the passage in your reading log, using proper citation.
Explain, in a detailed and specific manner, why you selected that particular passage. You may want to consider addressing the questions:
· How do you fit into your community?
· How does a person overcome the difficulties of fitting into a new community?
· To what extent, if any, should a person change in order to accommodate community expectations?
· How do communities determine whom to include and whom to exclude?
3. Vivid Description
Find a passage in the chapter that offers a vivid description of something—the setting, a person, an event, etc. Copy the passage in your reading log, using proper citation.
Draw a picture to illustrate the passage you quoted.
4. Making Connections
Explain how a character in this section encounters a similar situation as you have in your exploration of identity that has come as a part of growing up. Identify a passage that demonstrates how your character is exploring identity and copy the passage into your reading log using proper citation. Then, in detail, explain how this passage connects to your life. You may want to consider the following questions:
· How do you fit into your community?
· How does a person overcome the difficulties of fitting into a new community?
· To what extent, if any, should a person change in order to accommodate community expectations?
· How do communities determine whom to include and whom to exclude?
5. Letter to Another Character
Imagine you are one of the characters in the book and write a letter to another character about your experiences, thoughts, and feeling regarding how your identity has changed throughout the section or sections. In your letter, make sure to quote a properly cited passage that supports your claim concerning how your identity has changed. You may want to consider the following questions:
· How do you fit into your community?
· How does a person overcome the difficulties of fitting into a new community?
· To what extent, if any, should a person change in order to accommodate community expectations?
· How do communities determine whom to include and whom to exclude?
6. Comparison
Compare or contrast the section of reading to real-life events, books, movies, etc. that deal with the same ideas and issues. Include a properly cited passage that demonstrates how the section of reading compares or contrasts to the event, book, or movie that you are comparing or contrasting it to.
7. Poetry
Write a poem or song about the characters, theme, or plot of the section you read. Include descriptive language to create a visual picture for your reader. In addition, make sure to include a properly cited passage at the top of your response and explain why that particular quotation was an inspiration for your poem.
8. Diary
Imagine you are a character in the book and write a diary entry about your experiences, thoughts, and feelings in this section regarding your exploration of identity. Include a properly cited passage and explain how it demonstrates these experiences, thoughts, and feelings. You may want to consider the following questions:
· How do you fit into your community?
· How does a person overcome the difficulties of fitting into a new community?
· To what extent, if any, should a person change in order to accommodate community expectations?
· How do communities determine whom to include and whom to exclude?
9. Song
Choose a selection (about 5-7 lines) of appropriate song lyrics from any song you know that relates to the assigned section of the book. Include the lyrics and a detailed description of how they relate. In addition, include a properly cited passage and explain how it supports your argument of how the song and section of your text relate.
ONE-PAGE ESSAY (A mandatory response after you have completed your book):
When you have read the entire book, you must write a one-page essay in which you answer one of our core curriculum questions. Make a clear claim answering the question and support it using evidence from your independent reading text. Follow the criteria we have established for good writing, and be sure to properly cite quotations. Answer one of the questions below:
1. How do you fit into your community?
2. How does a person overcome the difficulties of fitting into a new community?
3. To what extent, if any, should a person change in order to accommodate community expectations?
4. How do communities determine whom to include and whom to exclude?
In order to receive full credit for your work, you must include direct evidence
from the text in your response. These passages must be cited using MLA guidelines.
According to MLA, you do not need to give the author’s last name if it is clear that all references are from the same source. Follow the examples below:
Walter expresses his anger about the family’s poverty: “I just want to be able to live a life like everyone else” (43).
Michelle says of her struggle, “It was the worst four years of my life” (16).
He questions, “Ain’t my wife supposed to have no pearls ‘round her neck?” (122).
NOTE:
posted by S. Lefebvre at 2/16/2007 08:44:00 AM
<< Home