Independent Reading Assignment

Your assignment is to read a book of your choice (at least 175 pages) during this unit. When you are finished reading
the book, you will do an oral presentation, or book talk to share your book with your classmates. Also, as you
read your book, you will complete a reading response portfolio. Your portfolio will contain ONE EACH of the
following reading response activities:

Reading Response Activities

1. Clarify Write a paragraph identifying a part you found confusing and what you did to help figure out what

was going on. Ideas for clarifying: re-reading, using a dictionary, looking up something online, asking a friend,
creating a timeline, writing about the story, etc

2. Connect Write a paragraph connecting what you read to something else you know or have experienced. For

example: a TV show, magazine story, something a friend told you, another book, etc
3. Evaluate Write a paragraph with your opinion of what you read. Make a value judgment (was it good or not)

and explain why using examples from the text.

4. Predict Make at least 5 predictions about what you think will happen later in the story and explain why you

made each prediction. Use what you have read so far and make educated predictions.
5. Question Write at least 5 questions you would like to ask the author about what you read. Questions should

be thoughtful and help guide your reading. For each one, clearly explain why you want to know.
6. Summary Write a paragraph giving the important details from what you read. Include major characters, key

plot points, setting, conflict, etc.

7. Visualize You should visualize the story as you read, as if you were creating a movie in your mind from the

descriptions. Draw a picture on plain white paper of something you read about in the chapter and then write 23 sentences explaining what that picture illustrates.

Reading Response Portfolio

(70 points)

Your portfolio should be professional in appearance (all responses should be typed on a separate paper).
Paragraphs should contain 5-7 complete sentences, and be checked for spelling/grammar.
Use a proper MLA heading for each reading response.
Staple all 7 reading responses together with a cover that includes the book title, author and your name.

Book Talk

(30 points)

In an oral presentation, you will present the following information to your classmates about the book you read:

Introduce your book, including the authors name and details about the genre of your book.
Describe the setting of your book
Describe the main character(s) including traits and details about how the character acts or changes
Briefly summarize the plot of your book, including the rising action, conflict, climax, and resolution.
Describe the protagonist, or main character, in your book.
Identify what you think is the theme, or main message of your book.
You will also be evaluated on your use of Eye Contact, Voice Projection, Posture and Gestures
You will also use a visual aid in your presentation.