6th Grade Book Talks
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will read, respond to, and evaluate a variety of literary works.
- Students will select appropriate independent reading for pleasure, interest, and personal fulfillment.
- Students will share reading experiences with peers using appropriate details, vocabulary, and tone.
General Requirements:
- Book must fit required genre and be appropriately challenging for you. (Be sure to ask Ms. Sullivan if you aren’t sure.)
- A visual aid you create must accompany each book talk. See the list below. You must create a different visual aid each trimester
- Your presentation must give a short summary as well as your evaluation of the book. The presentation should be between 3 and 5 minutes and will not exceed 6 minutes.
- Your book talk will include a short writing piece. It should follow the No Excuses list and be 1-2 paragraphs in length.
Genres:
Trimester 1: Perspectives
Trimester 2: Mystery
Trimester 3: Non-Fiction
Writing Component
L.O. I can demonstrate deep understanding of a text through my writing.
S.L.E. Articulate ideas clearly, creatively, and effectively
Trimester 1: Connect the story in your book to your own life. What is something you have in common? Please be specific and explain your reasoning.
Trimester 2: Write an alternate ending to your mystery book.
Trimester 3: Explain a lesson or piece of advice that your book teaches. Include ways that this can impact yourself and others.
BOOK TALK MENU
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. Include historically significant events when appropriate, and include 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.
BROCHURE
Design a travel brochure to illustrate and advertise the “world” of your novel.
POWERPOINT
Create an image-based PowerPoint 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.
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.