Book Talk Packet

6th Grade Book Talk Project #2 Mystery

 Learning Outcomes:

  • Students will read, respond to, and evaluate a literary work.
  • Students will share reading experiences with peers using appropriate details, vocabulary, and tone.

 General Requirements:

  1. Book Choice:  Book must fit required genre and be appropriately challenging for you. (Be sure to ask Ms. Sullivan if you aren’t sure.)
  2. Oral Presentation:  Your presentation must give a short summary as well as your evaluation of the book. The presentation should be between 2 and 4 minutes.  Notes for the presentation should be written on index cards for the book talk.
  3. Visual Aid:  A visual aid you create must accompany each book talk. The list is attached to this packet.  It should represent the book and show great effort.
  4. Writing Piece:  Your book talk will include a short writing piece.  It should include a middle school heading and be 1-2 paragraphs in length.

Genre:  Perspectives
This genre includes reading about someone who has a different perspective than you, such as a different cultural background, ability, religion, etc.  Please see Ms. Sullivan for ideas.

Writing Piece

L.O. I can demonstrate deep understanding of a text through my writing.
S.L.E. Articulate ideas clearly, creatively, and effectively.

The writing component should be 1-2 paragraphs, typed, with a middle school heading, and turned in no later than your presentation date.

Topic:  Write an alternate ending to your mystery book.


VISUAL AID IDEAS — BOOK TALK MENU
(Please choose a different visual aid for each book talk.)

CAST THE MOVIE

Imagine the director-producer wants a casting director to make recommendations for the film adaptation of your book. Decide who would be the actors and actresses. Include photos and descriptions of the stars in a folder or album and tell why each is “perfect” for the part.

WEAVE A DESIGN

Do some Internet or craft book research for directions, and use your weaving knowledge to make a woven design or pattern significant to the book. Display your creation as a mobile or a wall hanging.

MOBILE

Using a hanger or stick, fashion a mobile with symbols or illustrations portraying important characters or plot events from the story. Mobiles should be visually interesting and constructed with thought and effort.

MAP

Draw a detailed map or maps of the setting(s) in your novel. Maps should be labeled and show effort and neatness. Label important areas and trace the journey of characters when applicable.

RELIEF MAP

Create a three-dimensional map of the setting(s) in your novel. Use materials such as clay, sand, or papier-mâché.

CONSTRUCT A MODEL

Create a three-dimensional model of a scene or building from the story. Shoeboxes are great for size and portability.

PUPPETS OR DOLLS

Create puppets or costumed dolls for a display of characters from the book. Puppets/dolls should resemble the characters in feature and costume.

QUILT SQUARES

Design and sew two quilt squares based on your book. Choose fabric, symbols, and designs that are representative of the themes, images, or events in your book.

NEWSPAPER

Design the front page of a newspaper. Include pictures, a newspaper name, and headlines that tie into your book and/or characters. Use images of actual newspapers for inspiration!

COMIC STRIP

Draw a five-or-more panel comic strip illustrating characters or events in the story.

TIMELINE

Design and illustrate a time line for the main events in the story. It should include at least 8 significant events, as well as pictures, illustrations, or symbols to tie your timeline to the book.

ADVERTISING POSTER

Create a poster to advertise the book. Choose a scene, symbol, or image from the book and design and illustrate a poster that would attract potential readers or buyers to the book.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Create 5 or more separate illustrations to accompany your book. Choose important or visually impactful scenes and create illustrations that fit the story.

POSTCARDS

Design and create a series of four or more postcards. On one side draw, pant, or illustrate an image that fits the novel, and on the other side compose a short message from one of the characters.

SCRAPBOOK or MEMORY BOX

Choose one of the major characters in your book, and, as that person, put together a scrapbook or memory box of special memories and mementos. Be true to your character and include at least 8 items to represent them.

BROCHURE

Design a travel brochure to illustrate and advertise the “world” of your novel.

MOVIE TRAILER

Create a short movie trailer about your book.  Be sure to include the plot, setting, characters, conflict/problem, and point of view.

PREZI

Create a Prezi presentation to accompany your Book Talk. Avoid writing many sentences for each screen and reading them out loud, but instead choose important or relevant images or videos to enhance your verbal presentation.