NAME: __________________ HR: ___

SSR Projects- Year Long Reading Project

Requirements: You will choose ONE project from each category to complete after you finish your SSR book each quarter.
Along with the project, you are required to write a comprehensive and detailed summary of your book (at least 15-20 sentences, or
about ¾ page). *Review the directions and requirements of each project VERY carefully!*

#1A: Design a book jacket (front, side, and backside!) that demonstrates the climax of the story.
Visual/Artistic
Option #1B: Sketch a visual that captures your favorite part(s) of the book. Write about why this was your favorite part.

Requirements:
-On 8 ½ x 11 paper
-Most, if not all white space filled (colored is highly recommended)
-Time, and effort is apparent (no stick figures).
-2-3 paragraphs typed explaining WHY you chose the images that you did, what they represent, and why they are important to
the story.

#2A: Write an alternative ending (¾-1 page typed). Additionally, describe why you wrote it the way you did (½ page typed).
Fanfiction
Writing
Option #2B: Choose two characters from the story and write a dialogue between them, adding on to something that already happened in
the story. Then, describe what lead up to this conversation, and why they’re talking about it. (~¾-1 page typed)

#2C: Write 3 diary entries from the perspective of a main character from the beginning, middle and end of the story (¾-1 page
each).

#3A: Pretend you interview a character from the book. Write 10 critical thinking interview questions, and the answers you think
Perspective
you character would respond with. Make sure character answers are elaborate and thoughtful!
Option

#3B: Create a travel brochure that focuses on how the characters interact with the setting.
Requirements:
-On 8 ½ x 11 paper, tri folded
-Detailed analysis of the setting from the *characters perspectives*

Personal #4A: If your book was a book first then a movie, watch the movie after your reading and write a compare/contrast essay between
Opinion
the book and the movie. (3+ detailed paragraphs, including book quotes and/or citations)

#4B: Write a book critique. Describe things in the book you would have gone more in depth/detail on, specific things you would
have changed and why, characters you would have eliminated/added,….etc. (8-10 sentences per focus, minimum 2-3)

Real Life #5A: Imagine you are the author of you book you just read. Your book becomes a bestseller and you are eager to make it into a
Scenarios movie. Write a letter to a famous producer to persuade them to film your book. In the letter, include your book’s plot, characters,
Options
conflict(s), specific suggestions of locations to film, and suggestions of actors/actresses to play the main characters. (You may
ONLY use books that have not been a movie yet!) (~1 page)

#5B: Write a letter to the main character asking questions, protesting a situation, and/or making a complaint or suggestion about
their actions, or praising them for something they did/accomplish. Explain to the character how you feel. (~1 page)

#6A: Create a powerpoint presentation or google slides to create a presentation that include everything about your book. Slides
Technology should include; plot analysis, character descriptions, genre, theme, climax/conflict, information about the author, memorable
Option
quotes (with explanations), point of view, symbolism, etc. Make sure EACH slide is detailed and easy to read!

#6B: Create a movie trailer that would inspire readers to go see a movie if it were made about your book. (Watch current/other
movie trailers for structure and inspiration!)

Other: Choose your own! Get approval by Ms. Wagner FIRST before you do this project.

Fantasy ____ Fiction ____ Historical Fiction _____ Biography/Autobiography ____ Science Fiction ____
GENRES: Mystery/Thriller ____ Romance ____ Coming of age ______ Non-fiction/realism ______ Other ____

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Requirements and Important Notes
Rubric: Students will be provided ONE copy of the SSR rubric at the beginning of the year. It is vital they keep it safe
and secure all year. Unless requested by unforeseen circumstances, students will not receive another rubric. Copies of
rubrics will also not be accepted. At the end of the year, a rubric should reflect the year’s worth of work!

Reading Selection: Students must choose book based on the following criteria:
1) A book the student has not read before.
2) Students may not choose consecutive books in a series. However, they chose a book in the middle of a series they
are reading.
a) EX: You may not read and do a project on Harry Potter 1, 2, and 3. You can do a project on #5
independently.
3) Students are required to read at LEAST 3 different genres. This means they can not read fantasy for all 4 projects.
Branch out! Graphic novels will not be used for book studies, although they are fun to read!
4) Books should be appropriate level to 7th/8th grade reading. Use the following online catalogs to find lists of
age/content appropriate books:
a) www.scholastic.com (book wizard)
b) www.fab.lexile.com
c) www.arbookfind.com (ATOS level 6.5 or above)
d) Check with Ms. Maguire! She is a reading SPECIALIST!
5) Books should either be in appropriate age range for students 12-14+ and/or appropriate lexile level (~900+)

Dates: You will have 3 dates PER quarter to turn in and present your projects. You MAY turn in your assignment at any
time during the quarter, as long as you do not plan to present.

Presentation rules: Each presentation date, there will be 10 slots available to sign up for. That means that each quarter,
there will be at least 30 open slots to sign up. You are required to present at least 1 time PER semester. Presentations
beyond the required 1 per semester will count as extra credit. For example; if you present in Q1 (for requirement), a
presentation in Q2 will be extra credit. However, if you do not present in Q3, you will be required to present in Q4 and it
will only fulfill your requirement. It is to your benefit to take advantage of ALL extra credit opportunities!

→ CAUTION: If a student fails to present during a slot they signed up for, there will not be a makeup presentation time,
unless the student has an excused absence on presentation day. Students may sign up for another slot for the upcoming
presentation date(s), if one is available. If one is not available, they will not have an opportunity to present that quarter.

Loss of credit:
1) Students will receive a deduction of points on their rubric pertaining to presentation points if they fail to fulfill
required presentations.
2) Students will receive a deduction of 20% if they require a new rubric. For every new rubric after that, an
additional 10% deduction will be made.
3) Students will receive 0% credit on projects that are plagiarized.
4) Projects will not be accepted past their assigned due dates, especially end-of-the-quarter due dates!

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Option 1: SEPT 14 Option 1: NOV 30 Option 1: FEB 14 Option 1: APRIL 26

Option 2: OCT 8 Option 2: DEC 20 Option 2: MARCH 8 Option 2: MAY 17

Option 3: OCT 26 Option 3: JAN 22 Option 3: APRIL 5 Option 3: JUNE 7

(end of quarter is 11/4) (end of quarter is 1/25) (end of quarter is 4/5) (end of quarter is 6/14)

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SSR Project Grading Rubric Q1

Project number: Book Name: _____________ Genre: _______ Lexile Level: _____

_____/25 Requirement 1: Is the summary of your book is...

● ____/10 Complete, detailed, and has appropriate length (15-20 sentences)
● ____/5 Accurately describes your book
● ____/5 Signed document from plagiarizing website AND
● ____/5 Parent/guardian to prove your writing is authentic. .
**PLAGIARIZED SUMMARIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY CREDIT**

_____/30 Requirement 2: Based on the specific project you chose from the suggested activities, is your project complete, neat?

● ____/10 Effort: Is it apparent that effort and time were put into the completion of your project?
● ____/10 Does your project fulfill the requirements listed in the description? (Length, elaboration…)
● ____/10 Creativity: Is the delivery and development of your ideas done in a thoughtful AND creative, unique way?

_____/20 Presentation- required for 1 each semester. Additional 2 presentations are EC: EXTRA CREDIT (1.5 pt each when EC)

● _____/5 Speaker delivers presentation with energy, genuine interest, and emotion
● _____/5 Speaker makes consistent eye-contact with audience and doesn’t just stare at the page/screen/project.
● _____/5 Speaker enunciates (speaks) clearly and loudly.
● _____/5 Speaker is prepared.
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_____/75 TOTAL (with presentation) _____/55 (no presentation) _____/55 (presentation is EC)

SSR Project Grading Rubric Q2

Project number: Book Name: _____________ Genre: _______ Lexile Level: _____

_____/25 Requirement 1: Is the summary of your book is...

● ____/10 Complete, detailed, and has appropriate length (15-20 sentences)
● ____/5 Accurately describes your book
● ____/5 Signed document from plagiarizing website AND
● ____/5 Parent/guardian to prove your writing is authentic. .
**PLAGIARIZED SUMMARIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY CREDIT**

_____/30 Requirement 2: Based on the specific project you chose from the suggested activities, is your project complete, neat?

● ____/10 Effort: Is it apparent that effort and time were put into the completion of your project?
● ____/10 Does your project fulfill the requirements listed in the description? (Length, elaboration…)
● ____/10 Creativity: Is the delivery and development of your ideas done in a thoughtful AND creative, unique way?

_____/20 Presentation- required for 1 each semester. Additional 2 presentations are EC: EXTRA CREDIT (1.5 pt each when EC)

● _____/5 Speaker delivers presentation with energy, genuine interest, and emotion
● _____/5 Speaker makes consistent eye-contact with audience and doesn’t just stare at the page/screen/project.
● _____/5 Speaker enunciates (speaks) clearly and loudly.
● _____/5 Speaker is prepared.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____/75 TOTAL (with presentation) _____/55 (no presentation) _____/55 (presentation is EC)

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SSR Project Grading Rubric Q3

Project number: Book Name: _____________ Genre: _______ Lexile Level: _____

_____/25 Requirement 1: Is the summary of your book is...

● ____/10 Complete, detailed, and has appropriate length (15-20 sentences)
● ____/5 Accurately describes your book
● ____/5 Signed document from plagiarizing website AND
● ____/5 Parent/guardian to prove your writing is authentic. .
**PLAGIARIZED SUMMARIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY CREDIT**

_____/30 Requirement 2: Based on the specific project you chose from the suggested activities, is your project complete, neat?

● ____/10 Effort: Is it apparent that effort and time were put into the completion of your project?
● ____/10 Does your project fulfill the requirements listed in the description? (Length, elaboration…)
● ____/10 Creativity: Is the delivery and development of your ideas done in a thoughtful AND creative, unique
way?

_____/20 Presentation- required for 1 each semester. Additional 2 presentations are EC: EXTRA CREDIT (1.5 pt each when EC)

● _____/5 Speaker delivers presentation with energy, genuine interest, and emotion
● _____/5 Speaker makes consistent eye-contact with audience and doesn’t just stare at the page/screen/project.
● _____/5 Speaker enunciates (speaks) clearly and loudly.
● _____/5 Speaker is prepared.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____/75 TOTAL (with presentation) _____/55 (no presentation) _____/55 (presentation is EC)

SSR Project Grading Rubric Q4

Project number: Book Name: _____________ Genre: _______ Lexile Level: _____

_____/25 Requirement 1: Is the summary of your book is...

● ____/10 Complete, detailed, and has appropriate length (15-20 sentences)
● ____/5 Accurately describes your book
● ____/5 Signed document from plagiarizing website AND
● ____/5 Parent/guardian to prove your writing is authentic. .
**PLAGIARIZED SUMMARIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY CREDIT**

_____/30 Requirement 2: Based on the specific project you chose from the suggested activities, is your project complete, neat?

● ____/10 Effort: Is it apparent that effort and time were put into the completion of your project?
● ____/10 Does your project fulfill the requirements listed in the description? (Length, elaboration…)
● ____/10 Creativity: Is the delivery and development of your ideas done in a thoughtful AND creative, unique
way?

_____/20 Presentation- required for 1 each semester. Additional 2 presentations are EC: EXTRA CREDIT (1.5 pt each when EC)

● _____/5 Speaker delivers presentation with energy, genuine interest, and emotion
● _____/5 Speaker makes consistent eye-contact with audience and doesn’t just stare at the page/screen/project.
● _____/5 Speaker enunciates (speaks) clearly and loudly.
● _____/5 Speaker is prepared.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____/75 TOTAL (with presentation) _____/55 (no presentation) _____/55 (presentation is EC)

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