Title: Outside Reading Assignment
Author: shadden
Last saved by: Haught, Susan A
Company: Madison City Schools
Document comments: This lesson plan is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>

Independent Novel Study and Presentation – Honors English 9

You may choose a novel from the attached suggested reading list, or you may select a novel on your own.  The novel studied should be new to you! You will have eleven days to complete the reading and project.  Presentations are due and will take place on Monday, June 10.

Project

Required elements for submission:
•	Annotations and Reading Log (Twenty Entries) – These notes may be written in a variety of formats but should focus on plot, theme, setting, characterization, and tone.  First ten reading log entries will be submitted on Friday, May 31 and the second set of ten will be due Friday, June 7.
•	Radio Commercial – This 2 – 3 minute spoken presentation should “sell” your book to your classmates.  It should include a brief excerpt from your novel, as well as compelling persuasive techniques designed to convince your audience that this is the most readable book on the market.  The script must be typed, and should be timed before being presented in order to ensure that it meets the time limit.  Sound effects, character voices, music, and other actors are optional.  
•	Model/Mobile/Costume (Visual Aid) – The visual aid may be one of the three listed options and should be representative of the plot, theme, setting, and characters of the novel as a whole.

Grading

This will be a 300-point test grade and part of your final exam. You will be evaluated on the following:

Effective treatment of plot and theme
	The radio commercial should show understanding of the novel’s plot and theme. This should not be a recitation of the plot, but should depict two to three important “scenes” from the novel that depict the characters and their relationships and the conflict. In effect, the radio commercial is a teaser to get others to read the novel. How well do you “sell” the novel? The reading log should include these elements of plot, as well as characters and conflict, but should also include other elements of the novel such as its climax, resolution, setting, tone, and theme.

Overall quality of presentation
	Presentation of both the radio commercial and visual aid should have a clear direction - a beginning, middle, and ending – as well as clear vocal delivery.  A brief introduction to the presentation as a whole must be provided (see Introduction Template on the back of this page).

Originality of presentation

	Presentations must contain original material and any external sources (images, soundtrack, etc.) must be cited at the end of the presentation. Be aware of copyright rules.
•	-	A good site to check for music and/or images is Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Student Introduction Template
(Model for brief introduction before sharing Radio Commercial and Visual Aid)

I’m _________________________. The name of the novel I read is ______________ and was written by _____________________. The novel was written in ____ and published in _________. __________, the author,  (add some interesting information).

Things you might was still living? Writing?
•	¬	What other novels has the writer written?
•	¬	What did you like most about the novel? Least?
•	¬	Do you recommend the novel to others?
•	¬	What type of reader do you believe would most enjoy reading this novel?

Example Radio Commercial
(Possible model, with correct formatting, for a radio commercial advertising a novel.  Notice the voice and sound effect notes throughout the script.  Time your performance before presenting it to the class – your script may need to be a bit longer or shorter, depending on what you decide to include.)

Maya Strickenson
Mrs. Dause
Honors English 9
04 January 2011

Radio Commercial: Something Wicked This Way Comes
(Speaker Name)  In a low and menacing tone of voice:
“It was a dark and stormy night,” or, “Bella looked longingly towards the dark forest.”  Whether you’re a Twilight fan or just a sucker for dark, spooky stories, you know the kind of cold shiver that draws you in to a story.  But what you don’t know is what you’re missing!  (With more enthusiasm, drawing out the scary words and painting a picture as he reads)  “Jim said nothing. After a long time he clapped his hand to the back of his neck. "It really does!" he cried, in soft amaze. / "What does?" / "Hair! I read it all my life. In scary movies, it stands on end. Mine's doing it – now!" / "Gosh, Jim so's mine!"  They stood entranced with the delicious cold bumps on their necks and the suddenly stiffened small hairs quilled up over their scalps.”  What happens next?  Something.  Something too dreadful to mention in the hearing of all.  Prepare yourselves for…Something Wicked This Way Comes!  When a haunted carnival comes to town, Jim and Will are nearly led to their deaths by the mysterious Mr. Dark and the Dust Witch.  (Witch cackle and eerie carnival music)  Old age becomes a torment and youth a death sentence in this magical thriller by Ray Bradbury, for Mr. Dark possesses the power to give the townspeople their dearest wishes – for a price.  (Carnival man calling, “Come one, come all!” and witch cackles again)  Only one thing can prevent the carnival from taking over the entire town in its fearful grip, but will Jim and Will find the secret defense weapon soon enough?  Read on to find out!

Grade for this Radio Commercial:
Ideas = 3 out of 4
Organization = 3 out of 4
Conventions = 4 out of 4
Performance = 4 out of 4

Total = 14 out of 16 = B+ = 44/50 points possible
Instructions for Annotations and Reading Log

If you own your novel, you may write directly on the pages!  Otherwise, you may want to use sticky notes to mark pages or passages that are specifically important.  Annotating a text forces you to slow your pace of reading and to be more aware and involved with what you are reading.

As you read, pay close attention for pages or passages that do any of the following:
•	Present a conflict
•	Provide character detail
•	Foreshadow some future event
•	Create a personal connection
•	Remind you of a similar situation in another book you’ve read
•	Cause you to question something
•	Set a specific tone or mood
•	Create confusion for you in understanding some aspect of the text
•	Present an important symbol
•	Include a recurring idea/action/event/theme/message
•	Say something that you feel is profound or noteworthy

Some tips on Annotating
You are not required to have a minimum number of annotations in each book. Don’t get carried away and try to mark every page – not ever page will have some noteworthy detail. 

*If it helps, try using different color post-it notes for different annotations 
Example:   yellow – character details
                green – significant quotes
                pink – questions/something that doesn’t make sense

Reading Log Instructions and Requirements
Once you have read a few chapters, begin your reading log by following these steps: 

1. Open a blank document in Microsoft Word or some similar word processing program.
2. Set margins at ½ inch on all four sides (left, right, top, and bottom).
3. Insert a table that has four columns and four rows.
4. Label your columns (see sample reading log): Page #, Chapter, What the book says, What I say…
5. Adjust columns, allowing more room for the “What I say” column.
6. Type passages in the “What the book says” column, noting the page number and chapter number 
    in the appropriate columns.
7. Type your reflection/response in the “What I say” column (Refer to the “Annotate Your Books”  
     section).
8. Save your work, and continue adding to your log as long as you read.
9. To add new rows, simply click in the last “What I say” box and press the tab key; a new row should automatically appear.

Your reading log will be graded based on the following requirements:
•	You must complete one reading log for each book.
•	You must have at least twenty entries in each reading log.
•	Selected passages should cover the book’s entirety (you must prove you read and understood the entire book).
•	Your reading log should be UNIQUE; it should include YOUR OWN thoughts and feelings about the characters and events in the book; don’t be afraid to use first person for this assignment.
 
Don’t go overboard; try to note only the most important, confusing, or noteworthy passages.
Sample Reading Log:

The Great Gatsby	                                                                                                     Mary Compson                         F. Scott Fitzgerald                                                                                                             Reading Log											        
Pg. | Ch. | What the Book Says… | What I Say…
25 | 1 | Something in his leisurely movements and the secure position of his feet upon the lawn suggested that it was Mr. Gatsby himself, come out to determine what share was his of our local heavens. | The first time Gatsby appears in this book, it’s hard to know what he’s like. There is no interaction between Nick, the narrator, and Gatsby. Nick’s observation of how Gatsby takes in the night sky reminds me of being amazed as a little kid by the number of stars that can be seen in the country.
48 | 3 | We all turned and looked around for Gatsby. It was testimony to the romantic speculation he inspired that there were whispers about him from those who had found little that was necessary to whisper about in this world. | It always seems that when people don’t have factual information to discuss, the make up for it with speculations and gossip. Small towns and small schools are like this – people talk about things they don’t know anything about because they don’t have anything else to say!  Nick doesn’t seem to have a very high opinion of the other party-goers.
63 | 3 | “I hate careless people. That’s why I like you.” | Jordan Baker says this to Nick and I find it ironic because she seems to be rather careless herself. I can’t figure out if Nick really likes her. She’s famous and I think he likes to be associated with her. Nick seems to have more sense than the rest, but there’s something about Jordan that he genuinely seems to like.
104 | 6 | It was James Gatz who had been loafing along the beach that afternoon…but it was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed a row-boat, pulled out to the Tuolomee and informed Cody that a wind might catch him and break him up in half an hour. | I love how this passage illustrates the transformation that was made in Gatsby’s mind as a young man even before he changed his name to Jay Gatsby. He wished to re-invent himself and he did so by changing his name and turning his back on the person he once was.
116 | 6 | “Can’t repeat the past?” He cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!” | Gatsby seems to think he will be able to go back and win Daisy over even though she’s now married to Tom and has a little girl. It’s sad to think that everything Gatsby has done has been for Daisy. He’s lived his whole life for her and not for himself.  It’s like the U2 song “Stuck in a Moment” – Gatsby’s stuck in the moment of his love affair with Daisy and he can’t get out of it.

Grading Rubric for Reading Log

Use this rubric for guidance as you write entries in your Reading Log.  On Friday, you should have one set of ten reading log entries (covering at least the front of one page and no more than front and back) to turn in.

Ideas
4 – The notes clearly state the novel’s plot, conflict(s), characters, setting, tone, and theme and use textual evidence to support the statement.  Student’s reflections are original and demonstrate critical thinking.
3 – The novel’s plot, conflict(s), characters, setting, tone, and theme are not clearly identified; more textual support is needed.  Student’s reflections are fairly original and demonstrate some critical thinking.
2 – The novel’s plot, conflict(s), characters, setting, tone, and theme are not clearly identified and no textual support is provided.  Student’s reflections are rather cliché and demonstrate little critical thinking.
1 – The novel’s plot, conflict(s), characters, setting, tone, and theme are not identified – there is no clear focus for the notes.  Student’s reflections are a restatement of the quote and demonstrate no critical thinking.

Organization
4 – The notes are interesting and clearly organized by chapter, page # or section.
3 – The notes have an apparent system of organization, but are messy or difficult to read.
2 – The organization is weak.  More structure is needed.
1 – There is no clear division between chapters, sections, etc.

Word Choice
4 – Writer uses specific nouns and verbs which make the notes interesting and lively; clear and informative.
3 – Writer uses some specific nouns and verbs, but overuses certain words. Writer should use more variety.
2 – Specific nouns and verbs are needed. General or missing words make the notes difficult to read.
1 – The writer needs help finding specific words.

Conventions
4 – The notes are neatly hand-written or typed and free of egregious spelling or grammatical errors; notes are written in complete sentences.  Notes are of required length (covering at least the front of one page and no more than front and back).
3 – The notes are neatly hand-written or typed and have several spelling or grammatical errors; notes are written in short sentences.  Notes are of required length (covering at least the front of one page and no more than front and back).
2 – The notes have many errors which make them difficult to read.  Short answers only, no sentences.  Notes fill ¾ of one page.
1 – Help is needed to make corrections.  Notes fill less than ¾ of one page.

Grade Scale:
16: A+ numerical grade 50
15: A numerical grade 46
14: B+ numerical grade 43
13: B numerical grade 40
12: C numerical grade 37
11: D numerical grade 34
10: D- numerical grade 31
9: F numerical grade 28
Sheila Hadden – Adapted from Great Source 4-Point Rubric for Expository Writing.

Student Name: _______________________

4-Point Rubric for Visual Aid (May be a model, mobile, or costume) 

Visuals (May photos, artwork, crafts, computer-generated = the sky’s the limit!)

4 – The visuals are original or a mash-up and exceptional. They convey the plot line and theme of the novel. Images are sharp and well-defined and entire product is neatly put together.
3 – The visuals are original or a mash-up and convey the plot line and theme of the story. Images are sharp and well-defined and product is somewhat neat.
2 – The visuals are standard stock photos or clipart. The visuals convey the plot line and theme of the story, but may not be sharp. Product is not very neat.
1 – The visuals are standard stock photos or clipart. The photos seem random and do not completely convey the theme or plot line of the story. Product is messy.

Information/Contents
Must contain all of the following information:
Title of Novel			Name of Author
Setting			Rating (how many out of 5 stars?)
Major Theme			Description of Novel’s Tone
Major Characters in novel (w/ 1-2 sentence description of characterization for each)
3 Important Quotes (beginning, middle, end)

4 – Visual aid includes all information. Text is attractive and easy to read. No typographical/spelling errors. Product is exceptional.
3 – Visual aid includes all information. Text is easy to read. Product has a minor typographical/spelling error. 
2 – Visual aid includes all information. Text is a little difficult to read. Product has two or three minor typographical/spelling errors or is missing information.
1 – Visual aid is missing several pieces of information or has several typographical or spelling errors. Most of the text is difficult to read.

Grade Scale:
8: A+ numerical grade 50
7: A numerical grade 45
6: B+ numerical grade 43
5: B numerical grade 40
4: C numerical grade 35
3: D numerical grade 30
2: F numerical grade 25

4-Point Rubric for Radio Commercial Script and Presentation

Ideas/Content/Creativity:	4  -  3  -  2  -  1
The body reflects a well-organized and highly persuasive commercial that includes a clearly stated opinion and a key quote or passage from the novel.  At least one persuasive technique (Logos, Ethos, Pathos, Kairos) is clearly present.  Creative effects are used to keep the audience engaged.

Organization:	4  -  3  -  2  -  1
The introduction makes your listeners want to continue listening, and the conclusion is a strong one that listeners will remember.  Commercial is compatible with the novel that it sponsors.  

PERFORMANCE!!!  Voice/Word Choice/Sentence Fluency:	4  -  3  -  2  -  1
The writer’s voice is clear,  knowledgeable, and confident. He/she effectively uses quotations and maintains an active tone of voice. It suits the audience. The commercial contains higher-level vocabulary throughout.  Sentences have flair and elegance. They flow smoothly together, taking advantage of transition words, and make the commercial enjoyable.

Conventions:		4  -  3  -  2  -  1
A hard copy of the typed script is provided.  The title of the commercial, the novel that it will be sponsoring, and your name appear in an MLA-formatted header on the front page.  There are no grammatical, capitalization, punctuation or spelling errors in the script.

Grade Scale:
16: A+ numerical grade 50
15: A numerical grade 46
14: B+ numerical grade 43
13: B numerical grade 40
12: C numerical grade 37
11: D numerical grade 34
10: D- numerical grade 31
9: F numerical grade 28