Final Project Book Trailer- Oct 18, 2017

Based on the entire book........................
Move over Steven Spielberg...

For the final blog post for this book, you are going to create YOUR VERY OWN BOOK TRAILER to get other students interested in reading your book!

YOU MAY:

• Work with 1 or 2 other students in any class, on either team who have read the same book as you.
• Utilize any website or format you wish. Search the internet for free websites/apps you can use to create your trailer.
• Student suggestions for apps/sites to use: Powtoon, Animoto, Wevideo. Try something you haven't used before if you're feeling adventurous! Do not limit yourself to only these sites.

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Here are some awesome resources:

Elements of Book Trailers

Ideas for creating book trailers
Examples of Book Trailers

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YOU MUST INCLUDE:

• Title and author of your book
• Summarize the key points of the book 
• DO NOT give away the ending- end with a CLIFFHANGER
• Pictures, sounds, videos, voice overs, music, etc. that directly relates to the tone, mood, theme and major ideas presented in your book
• Must include at least 2-3 pieces of textual evidence 

Create a trailer that is 2-3 minutes in length! 

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Expert Board

If you have ideas about the type of technology you are going to utilize to create your trailer or can offer assistance to other students with specific technology needs,  please share links, resources, and support on the Expert Board! You can add this board whenever you come across something fun, interesting, or easy  that you think other students can benefit from!

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Blog Post 4 - Oct 12, 2017

Section 3: Character Discussions

Focus on the impact major events have on character relationships

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For today's blog post, you will be using the following website to create fake texting conversations:

Fake What's App Text Generator

click on Fake What's App Chat Generator to begin your text conversations.

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Begin your blog post by adding a brief introduction to each conversation.

For example:

In section three of Monster by Walter Dean Myers, the main character Steve is having a difficult time dealing with life behind bars. In the first conversation, Steve texts his mother about major event.

*** One major event MUST be from section 3. You MAY choose a different event from an earlier section.***

Your blog post must include:

Content:

• 2 separate conversations
• each conversation must include one of the main characters and 1 minor character          1st  conversation- major character & a minor character                                   2nd conversation- major character & a different minor character
• Conversations must highlight at least 2 major events that happened in this section of the book                                                                                                                            1st  conversation-  focuses on one major event in section 3 - 2nd conversation- focuses on a different major event  in  section 3      
• Conversations must be long enough to demonstrate a true comprehension of the major events and the impact each has on the characters                   

 Text Evidence:

• Each conversation must include at least two strong examples of textual evidence
• It will look awkward but you must use quotation marks and page numbers  for the   evidence.

Voice:

• Personalities of each character must be clear through their messages:                                - What would your character say?          - What words/lingo might your character use?                                               - How might your character  react to certain topics/issues mentioned in a  conversation?      -  How is your character feeling about the major event?                                    
• Posts must be realistic to the way a character behaves and speaks

Visual Appeal:

• Add profile pictures to represent the characters in the conversations
• Add photos emojis to represent how characters are feeling
• Add profile pics that represent the characters
• Each conversation must include at least 3 images
• Be creative...think outside the box

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When you are finished with each conversation,  click the DOWNLOAD IMAGE  option underneath the fake phone image. Copy and paste that image to your blog.

To begin a new conversation, delete the other conversation and follow the same steps. 

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Here's an example:

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Remember you are being graded on: Content, Textual Evidence, Voice, Visual Appeal, and Mechanics. The rubric is available online.

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Blog Post 3 - Oct 5, 2017

Based on your section 2 reading....

Oh, hey there bloggers!  I seriously hope you're enjoying that book of yours.  For this week's post, let's spice things up a bit...how about some music? 

Think about a soundtrack for the book.  Think major events, emotions, characters, and conflicts in the book thus far.  

For your blog post:

***You should have no less than 4 paragraphs for your post: an intro to the section and 1 paragraph for each song.***

Begin this post by writing a brief intro paragraph to your section 2 reading selection. Tell the reader the name of the book, author, and a brief 2-3 sentence overview of what happened. Save specific details for the rest of the post. 

You will then select  THREE songs that would appear on the soundtrack.  For each one, include title and artist of song, and a detailed explanation of how specific song lyrics connect to the book.  You MUST have textual evidence!  Oh, and added bonus if you can point out some figurative language in the songs!

To boost that visual appeal, maybe include pictures of the album covers or the artists?  Links to the songs or videos?  You're welcome to add any visuals that directly relate to your writing.

Be creative!  After all, it is a GREAT day to be a Language Arts student!!!!!

Blog Post 2 - Sept 28 , 2017

Section 1 Reading
focus on author's craft


Just as a woodworker uses many tools and techniques to craft a piece of furniture, a skilled author uses tools and techniques of language and storytelling to craft a piece of writing. 

You MUST answer all of  the following questions in your writing. Combine similar ideas in paragraphs and please do not answer the questions as numbered responses. This is a creative blog. It is meant to flow smoothly. I should hear your voice and see visuals throughout your blog to help illustrate what you are writing. 
1. What was good about the author’s writing?

2. What things might you try to do in your own writing that you learned from this author?

3. What elements of the author’s writing style did you notice? How do these elements impact your understanding or enjoyment of the text?

4. What structural (the way the story is written- the way it looks) elements did you notice in the book? How did these elements impact your understanding of the content?

5. Were there any text features (for example: italics, bold words, short or long sentences, short or long paragraphs) that were super helpful—or just plain annoying?

6. What could the author have done differently, and what effect would that change have had?



You MUST also include one or more of the following in your blog post:


1. Copy sentences from the book that you think are well-written. Why do you like these sentences? Illustrate the sentences by including images that represent what you visualized.

2. Find examples of figurative language in the text. Copy them and explain their importance.

3. List five words from the book that you find interesting or unfamiliar. Write their definitions and use them each in a sentence.

4. Describe the mood or tone of this section of the book. Provide evidence to support your thinking.

Blogging Expectations

1. Post a blog to your page each week- must respond to topic question on teacher blog

2. Must thoroughly respond to all parts of the question(s)

3. Clever titles for each blog post

4. Must provide textual evidence to support your ideas/ reasoning

5. Writer’s voice- Writing needs to be  interesting and engaging for others to read and enjoy

6. Proofread, proofread, proofread!  I cannot stress this enough!  BEFORE you hit the "Publish" button, be sure to thoroughly read through anything you've written and look for any errors.

7. Must include visually appealing features to support your writing

 Ex: images, videos, links, etc

Blog Setup and Blog Post 1 - Sept 25, 2017 (Intro to blogging and author/book study)

Create the blog

You are about to become a book blogger, but first you must first create your own blog using Google Blogger.

• Visit the Blogger website
• Create a profile using your school Google account
• Add a new blog and select a template
• Design your blog with various backgrounds and fonts
• Add new post 

Directions for your first assignment:

For your first blog post, simply begin writing some basic information about your book.  

1. Include the title, author, genre, and why you selected this book.  

2. Find and include some basic biographical information about the author. 

3. Find and post a link to the best online book reviews you can find.  Include information such as a list of awards and any other interesting facts you learn about the book. 

4. Read the first few pages and tell us about your very first impression of this book!  Remember to write in complete sentences and proofread your work. Your paragraph must begin with a topic sentence!


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Be sure your blog post is visually appealing.  Include pictures, videos, links to other sites, etc.
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Happy reading.  Happy blogging.

Ms. Pereira