DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

  Read aloud the best example of descriptive prose found in the book you are currently reading. Write a paragraph explaining why the excerpt is a particularly good example of descriptive prose. The paragraph might include some of the adjectives the author used to set the scene.

THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN!

Write a review of the book you just finished reading -- in the style of movie reviewers Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. You are to conclude by awarding a thumbs up or thumbs down on the book. This activity could be even more fun if two students read the same book. They could plan a lively interaction (à la Siskel and Ebert) about the book, which could be videotaped for all to see!

CHARACTER TRAIT DIAGRAM

Create a Venn diagram to illustrate similarities and differences in the traits of two of the main characters, or yourself, in the book you just completed. 

WRITE A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR

After reading a book, each student shares reactions to the book in a letter written to its author. If a student writes to an author who is still alive, you might actually mail the letter.

SELL IT!

Pretend to be a publicist for the book that you just read. Write and then delivers a 130-second persuasive speech that will convince other students that they should read the book. (Writing and speaking persuasively will be especially difficult if you didn't like the book. If that's the case, share that fact after completing the speech.)

INTERVIEW A CHARACTER

Compose six to eight questions to ask a main character in a book you just completed. The student also writes the character's response to each question. The questions and answers should provide information that shows the student read the book without giving away the most significant details.

TEN FACTS

Creates  "Ten Facts About [book title]" sheet that lists ten facts you learned from reading the book. The facts, written in complete sentences, must include details that you didn't know before reading the book.

SCRIPT IT!

Each student writes a movie script for a favorite scene in a book just read. At the top of the script, the student can assign real-life TV or movie stars to play each role. The student might also work with classmates to perform the favorite scene.

Changing Places

 Write an account of what you would have done had you been one or many of the characters instead of what the character did.  Choose more than one character for more points.  Explain your reasons for changing the character’s action.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

Write a summary of what you learned from the book you just completed. The summary might include factual information, something you learned about people in general, or something that you learned about yourself after reading your book.

GLOSSARY AND WORD SEARCH

Create a glossary of ten or more words that are specific to a book's tone, setting, or characters. Define each word and write a sentence from the book that includes that word. Then create a word search puzzle that includes the glossary words.

IN THE NEWS!

Create the front page of a newspaper that tells about events and characters in your book you just read. The newspaper page might include weather reports, an editorial or editorial cartoon, ads. … The title of the newspaper should be something appropriate to the book.

CREATE A COMIC BOOK

You can turn a book, or parts of it, into a comic book, complete with comic-style illustrations and dialogue bubbles.

CHARACTERS COME TO LIFE!

Create life-size "portraits" of one of the characters from a book you just read. The portrait should include a written piece that tells about the character 3 paragraph minimum. The piece should also include information about events, traits, or conflicts in the book that involve that character.

PROVE IT IN FIVE MINUTES!

You will have to give a 150-second (2½ minute) oral presentation in which you share information about a book's plot and characters. You then close the presentation by offering an opinion and recommendation about the book. Then the audience has 150 seconds to question the presenter about the book. If the presenter is able to prove in five minutes that he or she read the book, the student is excused from filing a written report about it.

PICTURE BOOK AUTHORS

After reading a book, you create a picture book version of the story that would appeal to younger students.

RESUME WRITING

You need to create a resume for a book character. You should include in the resume a statement of the applicant's goals and a detailed account of his or her experience and outside interests.

CHARACTER TRAIT CHART

Create a chart with three columns. Each column is headed with the name of one of the book's characters. As you read the book, you can keep a record of the traits each character possesses and include an incident that supports each trait.

THEME REPORT

Challenge,: You are to select a concept or a thing from the book just finished and use the library or Internet resources to explore it further. You then write a two-page report that shares information about the topic.

SETTING

 To learn more about the setting of a book, each student writes a one-page report explaining how that setting was important to the story.

"DEAR DIARY"

Create a diary or a journal and write in at least five entries that might have been written by a character in a book you just read. The entries should share details about the story that will prove the student read the book.

Book Jacket

  Make a book jacket with an inner plot summary, character analysis, details about the setting, conflict and resolution and key vocabulary, illustrate front and back covers.  The back cover can include critic’s contributions.

Puppet Show

Create a puppet show or re-enact a portion or all of a book.  Use common household materials and enlist fellow classmates to assist you.  Consider a sound track to accompany your show or video taping

Map Making

Draw to scale a detailed and complete map of the place (s) where your story occurs.  Include a legend, compass, scale and colors (when needed).  Also include labeled sights where significant events took place.

Make a Movie Poster

Create a movie poster like you would see on the side of a bus, building, or in the movie theatre.  Make sure it shows that you know what the book is about and how you liked it.  This must show extensive effort.

Wanted Poster

Create a “wanted” poster for a character in your book.  Include the following: a drawing of the character, physical description of the character, your reason why the character is wanted, other information about the character that you think is important, and the reward offered for the capture of the character.

Travel Brochure

If the setting of your story is somewhere exotic, mysterious, exciting, or interesting, create a travel brochure. Study real travel brochures for style and format. Describe the location. Explain the mode of transportation a tourist would use to arrive at the destination. Provide day trips and activities for travelers once they arrive. Remember, the purpose of a travel brochure is to encourage tourists to visit. All references within the brochure should be places which exist within the book.

AR Test

Make a test for the book you read. Include ten true-false, fifteen multiple choice, and 5short essay questions. After writing the test, provide answers for your questions. * There should not already be a test for this book*

Diorama

Create a diorama of your favorite scene. 

Book Review

Using your Write Source Book as a guide, write a review of your book and post it to the school library site.