7th Grade book talks
- Fictional novels including elements such as time travel, dystopian future settings, magical creatures, wizards, dragons, cyborgs, etc.
- 7 Fall Schedule
- Non-fiction book about a person’s life
- Must be a real person (living or dead), and a factual story (no fictional depictions, please)
- Autobiographies and memoirs are fine
- 7 Winter Schedule
- A fictional story set in a real time & place of historical significance
- Book may not be set in the future, or current time period
- Historical fiction books should not include elements such as magic, supernatural beings or creatures, or futuristic elements. This genre is all about experiencing events of real historical significance through the eyes of a fictional character
8th Grade Book Talks
- No novels with sequels, prequels, or novels that are part of a series
- No novels with movie adaptations within the last 20 years
- 8 Fall Schedule
- Non-fiction book about any person, period, or event significant to American History. Can be about modern people or events as well.
- 8 Winter Schedule
- Any film Academy Award nominated for Best Picture
- New to the student
- Students may choose to read a book instead
- Here is the list of all Academy Award Best Picture Nominees and Winners
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. Rzegocki for approval if you aren’t sure.)
- A visual aid you create must accompany each book talk. See the attached list or Ms. Rzegocki’s teacher page for options.
- You must create a different visual aid each trimester.
- You may only repeat one of the visual aids you used in 6th grade.
- Your visual aid will be graded based on the effort put into it, its meaningful connection to the book, and whether or not it meets requirements.
- Your presentation must give a short summary (no spoilers, please!) as well as your evaluation of the book. The presentation must be between 3 and 5 minutes.
- You need to complete a short writing component that clearly answers a set of questions about your novel using text evidence from said novel.
Visual Aids:
Students will create a visual aid for each book talk. Visual aids are graded on the effort that they show, the meaningful connection they have to the book, and whether or not they meet the requirements.
This is the book talk activities menu and it covers the individual requirements of each option.
If you are interested in doing something that is not on the list – you must get permission from Ms. Rzegocki before you begin!
Writing component:
Students will create a short writing component that responds to a set of prompts that relate to their assigned genre.
Grading:
Students will be graded according to a rubric incorporating elements such as characters or people, plot events and details, and quality of the presentation.