Pre AP Non­Fiction or Science Fiction Book Project This fall semester, Pre­AP science students will be assigned a non­fiction or science fiction book project. Each student should select either a non­fiction science book or a science fiction book that can be related to a science topic we will be studying this year. After reading the book, students will be asked to produce a product of their choice. Examples of a product include a written report, a poster, a Prezi or PowerPoint, or students can be creative and submit a proposal to create a product of their own design. The goal of this project is to enhance student understanding of the sciences and the role science plays in the world we live in. Example: A student could select a book like “The Martian”. This book has real­world relevance to space travel, physics, engineering, and botany. This student could create a Prezi showing how the main character’s actions of using the limited Martian resources to grow potatoes could be applied to drought­stricken areas of the world today. The projects should reflect an understanding of the book, the scientific topic, and its relevance to our world. Ideas for projects include:

A mini Time Magazine issue Book­In­A­Box Collage Song or Poem PowerPoint / Prezi Diorama Art Series

Attached are the instructions and rubrics for the list above. Perhaps you would like to stretch your wings and design a different project. If you have another idea for presenting what you have learned, please fill out the student proposal sheet and get with Mrs. Schonberg or Ms. Toohey for approval. The proposal form is on the last page of this packet. The important details: Alternate Proposal Due Date: October 7th Project Due Date: November 18th Have fun!!!

TIME Novel Project After reading your independent reading book, you can publish an issue of Time magazine. This project has three parts to it: the cover, the cover story, and the commentary. The Cover: Design your magazine to look like an authentic Time cover. Notice what things are always on the cover­­the word Time, the red border, the headline, and the date. Your picture can be a scene, a graphic design, a symbolic representation, a photograph, or computer­generated design; any creative and interesting picture you can think of that best represents your subject. It should be colored and demonstrate thought, time, and effort. The cover must include the subject’s name. The Cover Story: Your main story will be a telling of your subject’s influence written in news style. Make sure you deal with the facts and not your opinions in this part of the project. It should include background material, personal information on the subject, and a retelling of their influence. Illustrations or diagrams are acceptable in this section. Commentary: In this section, give your reactions to what you read. How did you feel about what you learned? Did you empathize with the subject? What kind of emotions did you feel after reading the story? This is your opinion piece. Reflect on what you learned. Your goal is to influence readers. Miscellaneous: You may add in additional articles, pictures, or advertisements that are relevant to your special issue of TIME magazine. These can include advertisements for products that may be related to your subject/person, as well as additional information or photo spreads or illustrations of them.

Rubric

Book in a Box Project (for a novel) After reading your book, you can create a book in a box. This project has three parts to it: the box, the artifacts, and the artifact rationales. The Box: Design your box to represent the main idea of the novel. Please use a shoebox or something comparable to assemble your project. You may include on the box representative pictures and quotes that are relatable to the book. These pictures do not have to be directly from the book but should represent the basic themes in the book. Refer to the example boxes around the room for more clarification. It should demonstrate thought, time, and effort. The box must include the title of the book, author, and your name. The Artifacts: The artifacts should be symbolic and representative of events in the book. You should include at least 10 artifacts in the box. These can be computer generated, drawn, or tangible items that you find around the house or create. For example, in a holocaust novel box there is a yellow Star of David patch made from felt and a handkerchief with a small piece of bread. You will explain each piece with the rationales. The Rationales: You should attach the rationales to each artifact in some way. These rationales should give us an explanation as to why you included the artifact, and its relevance to the novel and the real world. You should use quotations or paraphrasing from the book along with a brief explanation for each artifact. All quotations and paraphrasing should include the page number. You should type all artifacts.

Rubric

Collage After reading your book, you can create a collage. This project has two parts to it: the collage and the 1 page explanation. The Collage: Create a word and/or picture collage representing the entire book or novel. This should include the main characters or points, major events, setting, theme, turning point, resolution. This must be done on a large sheet of drawing paper or poster board (8” x 11” paper is too small). Pictures should be printed out from the internet, cut out of magazines, newspapers, etc... A collage is not hand drawn. At least 90% of the space should be covered with images and words. The 1 Page Explanation: You should attach a one page explanation (must be typed) that explains why you selected certain words and pictures. You should include relevant quotes that inspired pictures on the collage. All quotations and paraphrasing should include the page number.

Rubric

Song or Poem After reading your book, you can create a song or poem. This project has two parts to it: the song or poem, and the 1 paragraph explanation. The Song/Poem: Write a song or poem about the novel or nonfiction book you read. Your song or poem must be at least ten lines. It can be rhymed or unrhymed. You may not do an Acrostic poem for this assignment. Song/Poem must be typed. The 1 Paragraph Explanation: You should attach a one paragraph explanation (must be typed) that explains why you selected certain words and similes/metaphors. You should include a relevant quote(s) that inspired the song or poem. All quotations and paraphrasing should include the page number.

Rubric

Power Point/Prezi After reading your book, you can create a PowerPoint presentation or Prezi. This project has two parts to it. The Power Point/Prezi: This should include a minimum of 15 slides or sections, which have clipart, animations, & sounds. The following information must be included: title, author, main characters, minor characters, protagonist(s), antagonist(s), setting, conflict, 3 major events, conflict, & resolution. If your topic is non­fiction, you must include the main idea, details, facts, and any other relevant information including how the scientific topic is relevant to the real world.. Presentation: You will present your PowerPoint or Prezi to the class using appropriate volume, emotion, and interaction with the class. This could be done with a handout, a question and answer session, or some form of class participation.

Rubric

Diorama After reading your book, you can create a diorama of the book. This project has two parts to it: The Diorama and the Scene Analysis Diorama: Make a diorama in which you show the scene that you feel is the most significant in the story. Your items should be securely attached to the backing. A diorama is a 3­D depiction of a scene in the book. Your diorama should have six or more items. Scene Analysis: You must attach a note card or piece of paper to the bottom with at least 7 sentences analyzing the scene. Your sentences should be properly constructed and give an extensive explanation of how items in the diorama are related to the scene. Rubric

Art Series

After reading your book, you can create an art series. This project has two parts to it: the art, and the explanations. The Art Series: Do several pieces of art about the novel. Be sure to include the major themes and characters. You must supply all materials yourself for this project. Two of the pieces in the art series should be done on canvas or canvas paper. Your art series can also focus on typography and utilize quotes from the book. The Explanations: Each piece should be accompanied by a written paragraph explaining the connection to the novel. Rubric

Student Proposal for a Replacement Task

Student _____________________________________________________________________________ Date Teacher Subject Area/Topic: 1. What are you interested in doing? 2. How does this plan use your current skills and talents? 3. What important skills or information can you gain from this project? 4. What will be your final product? 5. What resources will you need, and how will you access them? 6. How may I or others help? 7. On the back of this page, sketch a time line or flow chart of your project showing dates and steps from the beginning to the completion of your work.