Students were assigned a Mystery Reading Project the week of November 8, 2010 with the due date begin December 1, 2010. Listed below are the guidelines for the project:
Select a Mystery story to read. (Harry Potter and Charlie Bones
books are fantasy; not mystery.) Pick a book which interests you. The
book must have at least 120 pages. Goosebump books will work for this project. GET YOUR BOOK APPROVED BEFORE
READING FOR THE PROJECT
1. You need to begin reading your book. Select the final project you would like to do from the six options listed below before you begin reading as you will work on the project as you read.
PROJECTS TO SELECT FROM:
YOU ONLY NEED TO COMPLETE ONE--(EXTRA CREDIT FOR AN ADDITIONAL PROJECTS)
1. Clue Journal-Creating a clue journal for the mystery.
The cover needs to have an illustration, title, and author of your book. The pages in the journal need begin with the problem. The following pages are to record clues as they are given throughout the novel. Please place one per page along with the page number where you found the clue. After you write the clue, tell why it is important to the story. When you get to the next to the final chapter, predict on a page marked "Final Prediction" who you think committed the crime. On the last page of the journal, tell who committed the crime and whether your prediction was right or wrong.
Grading Criteria: Organization: 10 points
Adequate supporting details 10 points
Length requirement 10 points
Prediction 5 points
Followed directions 5 points
Grammar and spelling 5 points
Neatness 5 points
Total 50 points
2. Write a News Story.
Complete the News Story sheet for your mystery (attached to the project packet).
Use the News Story sheet to write a news story that summarizes the book. The summary should be at least 1 to 1 1/2 pages handwritten or 3/4 page typed.
Grading Criteria: Organization 10 points
Followed directions 10 points
Adequate supporting details 10 points
Length requirement 10 points
Grammar and spelling 5 points
Neatness 5 points
Total 50 points
3. Story Map
As you read your story, complete the Story Map Sheet (attached to the project packet)
If you need more room to record the problem solutions steps, use the back of the sheet.
Grading Criteria: Setting identification 5 points
Problem identification 10 points
Solution identification 5 points
Solution steps 15 points
Followed directions 5 points
Grammar and spelling 5 points
Neatness 5 points
Total 50 points
4. Problem Identification
Think of a problem the character faced in the story. Write the problem in a complete sentence on the Problem Identification Sheet (attached to the project packet). Identify three solutions the the character could have used to resolve the problem. Rank the solutions from 1 to 3, with 1 being the best and 3 the worst. Explain why you marked the number 1 choice.
Grading Criteria: Problem identification 15 points
Solution identification 15 points
Reason 10 points
Followed Directions 5 points
Neatness 5 points
Total 50 points
5. Design a game
Design a game based on the mystery novel you read. You may use a file folder (please ask for one) for the game board. The game should include cards with questions about your book. Players will need to answer the questions on the cards correctly in order to move their pieces. Decorate the game board with images and symbols related to the book. Give your game a catchy title.
Grading Criteria: Well-designed game board 15 points
Question cards 10 points
Followed directions 10 points
Written directions 5 points
Colorful 5 points
Neatness 5 points
Total 50 points
6. Character Scrapbook
Create a scrapbook about the main character.
Use four sheets of copier paper (ask for the pages) and fold them in
half which makes 8 pages. On the front cover entitle it
"___________________________'s Scrapbook". Decorate the cover to match
the main character's style. On the first page, draw a portrait of the
main character with the name on the page. On the remaining pages, draw
pictures or find pictures in magazines of items that relate to the
character. Glue the pictures into the book or color the pictures you
drew. Add captions to the pictures and tell how they relate to the
character.
Grading Criteria: Organization 10 points
Adequate details 20 points
Reasoning for pictures 10 points
Followed directions 5 points
Neatness 5
points
Total 50 points
Guidelines for project 2009-2010 School year
1. After you have read your novel, you must complete a PLOT PAPER
BAG of the major events in your mystery. You MUST sketch at least six
(6) major events (no more than ten) on 4x6 index cards which occur in
your mystery. Those cards need to be numbered in the order in which the
major events occurred. The cards will be placed in a paper bag on which
you will decorate the FRONT of the bag with at least one scene as
described in the book which could be used as a NEW book cover. (You may
want to divide the back of the bag into sections and design several
scenes.) Make sure to write the TITLE AND AUTHOR of the story somewhere
on the bag. Also, be sure to place your name on the bottom or inside
edge of the bag. When the bag is complete, place the plot cards (which
are numbered) inside the bag. Don't forget to practice your
presentation which will be given to the class on the date listed on the
last page of the packet.
YOU MUST ALSO SELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TO PRESENT:
Choice One:
Design a billboard to advertise your book which is being made into
a major movie. On the back of the billboard, write at least two
detailed paragraphs as to why you chose the design you created. (A
sample billboard page is attached for you to use, or you may make up
your own.) Remember, a billboard is a way to get people to want to see
your movie.
Choice Two:
Create a set of at least 6 bubble gum trading cards with key
characters, events, or objects from your mystery story. On the back of
each card, tell in a sentence or two why this item was placed on the
trading card. You need an explanation on the reverse side of EACH card.
(A sample of the cards is attached for you to use, or you may make up
your own.)
Choice Three:
Create a game board for your mystery. A sample game board is
attached for you to color, cut out, label, and place on another piece
of paper. You will need to design playing cards and label your game
board. You will also need markers and a spinner unless you place how
many spaces to move forward on your cards in which case you will need
the cards only. The game needs to focus on your mystery story you read.
Rubrics
Every student must complete the PLOT PAPER BAG Project
Plot Paper Bag Project:
_______pts. (10 points) Title and author on the paper bag. Your
name is on the bottom or inside edge.
_______pts. (10 points) The outside of the bag contains a new
book cover on one side
_______pts. (40 points) Have the major events in order in the
Plot Paper Bag
_______pts. (20 points) Correct mechanics (grammar, punctuation,
spelling, and capitalization
_______pts. (10 points) Was prepared and organized during
presentation
_______pts. (10 points) Neatness of completed Plot Paper Bag
_____________ Total points (100 available)
Students must complete one (1) of the following
Billboard Project:
_______pts. (30 points) Have a completed Billboard.
_______pts. (30 points) Have at least two paragraphs detailing why
you chose this design for your billboard.
(Explain its significance to the mystery
you read.)
_______pts. (20 points) Correct mechanics (grammar, punctuation,
spelling, and capitalization).
_______pts. (10 points) Was prepared and organized during
presentation.
_______pts. (10 points) Neatness of completed billboard.
_______________ Total points (100 available)
Trading Card Project:
_______pts. (30 points) Have at least six trading cards completed.
_______pts. (30 points) Have the major reasons listed on the
reverse side of each trading card why it
was selected to place on the card.
_______pts. (20 points) Correct mechanics (grammar, punctuation,
spelling, and capitalization).
_______pts. (10 points) Was prepared and organized during
presentation.
_______pts. (10 points) Neatness of completed trading cards.
_____________ Total points (100 available)
Create a Game Project:
_______pts. (30 points) Have a completed game board.
_______pts. (30 points) Have either the game board labeled with
a spinner or have cards prepared to tell
you spaces to move on the board.
Questions on cards must deal with the
mystery you read.
_______pts. (20 points) Correct mechanics (grammar, punctuation,
spelling, and capitalization).
_______pts. (10 points) Was prepared and organized during
presentation.
_______pts. (10 points) Neatness of completed game board.
_____________ Total points (100 available)