Book Talk Packet

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:

  1. Book must fit required genre and be appropriately challenging for you. (Be sure to ask Ms. Sullivan if you aren’t sure.)
  2. A visual aid you create must accompany each book talk. See the list below. You must create a different visual aid each trimester
  3. 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.
  4. 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.