All Projects

List of all Independent Reading Project Options

Scroll down to find all the project options available to you. Once you have picked out a book and a project, you will fill out the Google Form on the "Approval Form" tab.

Alternate Ending

If you did not care for the way your book ended, here is your opportunity to change it. Rewrite a new ending to the book you read. Be sure to write in the style of the author (tense, point of view, tone, mood), and start your ending with the last line in the book before your change (this does not need to be the last line of the book!) Your rewritten ending should be 2-4 pages in length (12pt. Times New Roman, double-spaced). DO NOT explain how the ending should be changed, instead write as if you were writing the story. In the Reflection, make sure to describe the original ending and the changes you made and then explain why you have made these changes. 

• I included a heading and header 

• I started with the last line of the book before my change. I used proper in-text citations (MLA).

• I wrote in the same style as the author 

  • My verb tenses match those in my book.

  • I wrote from the same point of view as the author.

  • I set the same mood and tone. 

• My alternate ending is between 3-5 pages in length.

  • I typed my scene using 12 pt. Font, Times New Roman, double-spaced.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

  • In my Reflection I included a paragraph where I explained what was happening up until my alternate ending.

  • In my Reflection I included a paragraph explaining why I made the changes I did.

Write Your Own Scene

Write a scene that could have happened in the book you read, but didn’t. Be sure to write in the same style as the author (tense, point of view, tone, mood). Your rewritten scene should be between 3-5 pages in length (12pt, Times New Roman, double-spaced). In the Reflection, make sure to include an explanation of what has occurred up until this point in the novel, as well as why you made the changes you did and how they affected the outcome. 

• I included a heading and header 

• I included the title of my added scene.

• I wrote in the same style as the author 

  • My verb tenses match those in my book.

  • I wrote from the same point of view as the author.

  • I set the same mood and tone. 

• My rewritten scene is between 3-5 pages in length.

  • I typed my scene using 12 pt. Font, Times New Roman, double-spaced.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

  • In my Reflection I included a paragraph where I explained what was happening up until my added scene.

  • In my Reflection I included a paragraph explaining the changes I made and how they affect the outcome of the book.

Modern Adaptation

If your novel’s setting was outdated rewrite a scene of the novel as if it were to happen today.  Feel free to change up the style of the writing to match the way we speak/write today. Your rewritten scene should be between 3-5 pages in length (12pt, Times New Roman, double-spaced). In the Reflection, make sure to include an explanation of what occurred in the real scene of the novel, as well as what the original setting was.

• I included a heading and header 

• I wrote in modern language and with a modern setting.

• My modern adaptation is between 3-5 pages in length.

  • I typed my scene using 12 pt. Font, Times New Roman, double-spaced.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

  • In my Reflection I included a paragraph where I summarized what happened in the original scene from the book and what the original scene was.

Comic Book

Create a comic book based on the novel you read. It should have an illustrated cover with the title and author, and be comic book size. Inside, retell the story using dialogue and descriptions of the setting and characters. Put your writing in bubbles. Create colorful illustrations that help tell the story. The comic book should be at least 10 pages in length. 

•  created an illustrated cover including:

  • The title

  • The author

  • A picture

• I retold the story in 10+ pages.

  • I had at least 3 comic book boxes on each page.

• I retold the story using:

  • Dialogue

  • Descriptions

  • Setting

  • Character

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

Movie Preview

The book you have read has just been made into a movie and you have been hired to create an interesting, attention-getting, preview that will make movie-goers all across the country want to come see this new release. Prepare a script, practice, and then videotape short scenes to be used for a preview. Remember, previews should not reveal whole scenes, but instead, give us quick glimpses of what the movie is about. Use an attention-getter at the beginning of your preview by having a narrator ask a question, describe a situation, etc. (just like when you write an attention-getter for the introduction of an essay). Add appropriate background music which fits the mood or atmosphere of the overall movie. Be sure to videotape an interesting visual design of the title (to be shown at the end of the preview) and mention actors and actresses who star in this feature film.  (Turn in the script with this project!) 1-2 minutes in length. **wevideo or moviemaker may be used to create this project. 

• I prepared a script (talking points) for my movie preview. 

  • I included:

    • An attention-getter at the beginning.

• I practiced my scene.

• I videotaped or created my scene.

• I added in appropriate background music.

• I added in a visual design of the title of my movie.

• I mentioned the actors and actresses who star in my movie.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

Story Telling

Turn the novel you read into an oral story which you will present to the class. Do NOT read from the novel, but instead, retell the story in your own words and with props. Before you begin your storytelling to the class, introduce the title and author. Be sure to use appropriate tone and volume as well as special effects to make your story more exciting! You might even use music. Develop a different voice for each of the main characters who “speak” in your story. (ex. If you were telling the story of “Little Red Riding Hood”, when you came to the part where Little Red says, “My what BIG teeth you have” you would speak in a high pitched voice and then switch to a much deeper, rough voice when the wolf responds, “All the better to eat you with.”) You will obviously have to skip parts of the story because a novel is very long. You should include at least three prop with your storytelling (ex. Use sock puppets to tell your story, have a poster that shows characters, wear a costume, have an object such as a lightning bolt, etc). Turn in the prop and your script. 4-7 minutes in length. 

• I wrote a retelling of my novel in my own words. (2-4 pages in length).

• I made/found at least 3 props to use in my retelling.

• I practiced my presentation, using appropriate tone and volume, as well as special effects.

  • I timed my presentation to make sure it was 3-5 minutes in length.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

Mini Documentary

Turn your novel into a short documentary. This could be the perfect project to your nonfiction book. Use WeVideo to create your documentary. It needs to include a title that appears at the beginning of the video; at least 10 significant events that happen in your book; Voice Overs explaining each event; and pictures/videos relevant to your book. Overall, the mini documentary should be at least 5 minutes in length. You will present this documentary to the class. 

• Include a title

• Tell at least 10 significant events from your book.

• Voice Overs must be included

• Pictures/videos relevant to your book.

• 5+ minutes in length

• Present to the class.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

Tour

Imagine that you have been given the task of conducting a tour of the town in which the book you read is set. Make either a video or voice recording describing the homes of the characters and places where important events in the book took place. Plan to include brief chats with the novel’s characters along the way. Fill your audience in with any local rumors, town gossip, or any other interesting tidbits about the people that live there. Prepare by creating a script. Turn this script in along with your recording/video. 4-7 minutes in length. 

• I made a list of the locations that are important to the plot of my novel.

• I wrote a script of my tour of the town.

  • I included brief chats with the novel’s characters.

  • I filled the audience in on local rumors, town gossip, and other interesting tidbits about the people that live there.

• I recorded or videotaped the tour of the town.

  • My recording was 4-7 minutes long.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

TV Talk Show

Suppose the major characters from the novel you read are guests on a TV talk show like Ricki Lake, Oprah, or Montel Williams, only you are the host. Develop a “hot” topic which these characters can all relate to (ex: for The Princess Bride you could use, “My husband tried to kill me”). You may want to even include the author as one of your guests or perhaps a counselor who can give advice to each character. Gather your friends to take on these roles and tape the show “live” on video. Remember to advise your friends to stay in role. Be sure to have a theme song to go with your show and mention the topic for your program. You will also need to introduce each character and ask probing questions that reveal who he/she is, how he/she is related to the other character(s), his/her beliefs, motivations (reasons for doing certain actions), and anything else of importance to your topic. Be sure to take questions from your audience or callers. Include at least one commercial break in your show (all commercial(s) must somehow relate to the novel you read). You are required to write a script and make sure each person who is in your video has a copy to study. Turn the script in with your video and reflection. 3-5 minutes in length. 

• I wrote a script for my talk show.

  • I introduced the show.

  • I introduced the characters.

  • I asked my characters questions about their:

    • Beliefs

    • Motivations

    • Anything else important to your topic.

• I practiced my talk show.

• I recorded my talk show.

• I added in a theme song to my video.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

Map

If the book you read involves a number of locations within a town, country, or geographical area, create a map. First, make a list of all the locations - houses, stores, streets, parks, lakes, etc. mentioned in your book’s setting. Then, draw the map showing a bird’s eye view of the area. Label each location. Below the map, create a legend with a list of all the locations and a DETAILED description to be seen clearly. All writing should be done in black ink or marker. Your map should include at least TEN different locations; otherwise, perhaps the map is not an appropriate project for your novel. It should be evident that the book was read and analyzed appropriately based on the appearance of the map. The map should consist of ORIGINAL drawings and symbols and illustrations. 

• I made a list of all the locations- houses, streets, parks, lakes, etc.

• I drew a map of the area.

  • I have at least 10 locations.

  • I labeled each location.

  • My map includes original drawings, symbols, and illustrations.

• I created a legend for my map listing all the locations.

  • I included a detailed description of each location and its importance to my book.

• All my writing is done in black ink or marker and is easy to read.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

Timeline

Brainstorm a list of all the major events in the plot from beginning to end and then organize them, not in the order they are written, but in the order they would have happened in real life. Create a timeline for your book using google slides or poster board. On your timeline, write a short description of what happens for each event and, if possible, try to identify the time of each event with dates, seasons, etc. Add pictures and symbols to make your timeline colorful. If you are doing a poster, the writing should be done in black marker or typed and then taped neatly on the poster. Include at least 10 entries. **You may not complete this project if you have chosen a Biography or Autobiography that already contains a timeline within the book.

• I brainstormed a list of the major events in the plot from beginning to end and then organized them in the order they would have happened in real life.

• I created a timeline using a Prezi presentation, Google Slides or poster board.

  • I included short descriptions of what happened for each event.

  • I included the time/date of each event (if possible)

  • I included pictures and symbols

  • I have at least 10 events

  • I made sure my writing was in black marker or typed.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

Photo Album

Seek out friends, family, teachers, and classmates with a camera, ask them to pose in positions and places that reveal events in the novel you read, then shoot! Make sure your pictures are not just of people smiling and saying cheese, though. Your pictures need to reveal EVENTS that occur in the novel. Use small props and costumes in your pictures to help identify who each character is and what is going on, and try to choose models who resemble the characters. Once you have your pictures, arrange them in a photo album in the order the events occur. Below each, write a caption that explains who the people are, what is going on, and, if possible, the approximate date. Write the captions from the point of view of one of the main characters (ex: This is my best friend and I when we…). On the inside, paste an information sheet identifying the name of the character, his/her age (guess if you don’t know), birthdate (if known), where he/she lives, and other important information about this person. 7-10 pages in length. 

• I picked at least 10 events from my novel that I will take pictures of.

• I gathered props.

• I took pictures of the events using  my friends, family, teachers, etc. as my characters.

• I arranged my photos in an album in the order the events occurred.

• Below each picture, I included a caption from the point of view of one of my characters that answers the following:

  • Who are the people in the picture?

  • What is going on in the picture?

  • What is the approximate date? (if possible)

• My photo album is at least 7 pages long.

• On the inside of my album, I pasted an information sheet identifying the name of the character, his/her age, birthdate (if known), where he/she lives, and other important information about this person.

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

Magazine

Create a magazine which depicts the major events, controversial issues, and significant themes developed in the novel you read. Your project should realistically portray a professional magazine. All articles in your magazine must be typed and arranged into columns. If you cut and paste the columns onto the page, xerox the final product. You will need a colorful front cover with the name of your magazine, the date of the edition, a picture which relates to your most important article, and short descriptions of the kinds of articles featured in your magazine. Remember, EVERYTHING in your magazine needs to be related to the novel you read. You can have a “Dear Abby” section with letters from characters asking for advice about their problems and then responses of advice, articles related to significant events in the novel, advertisements, and anything else you might find in a magazine. The magazine should be 3-4 pages in length (or front and back on two pages). 

• I planned out the major events, controversial issues, and significant themes from my novel.

• I typed articles that would be featured in my novels magazine.

• I created a magazine online or using construction paper.

  • My magazine has a colorful cover.

  • Articles 

  • Pictures for my most significant articles

  • Advertisements 

  • Anything else you might find in a magazine

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.

History Report

Explore the history (fiction or nonfiction) of your book by creating a Historical Report. History Reports can come in many forms, but you might consider doing it on a Google Doc or Google Slide. This report is a research based project that will look closely into a specific topic or event. For instance, you can write a history report about the book you read of World War II and tell us  the most significant events of that war. Another example would be a report explaining the history of Hogwarts: how it came to be; important people; important events; what type of government it has; how magic works, etc. Basically, a History Report is your way of teaching your audience about the book you read.

 10 slides or 3-5 pages 

• Subtitles & descriptions

• At least 5 images/videos

• Proper Grammar used

• Chronological order of information

• I included a reflection with my project using the Reflection Checklist.