You may choose any book for this project that meets the following criteria:

1. It has a minimum of 100 pages.

2. It is written at a high school reading level. (Check with me if you are unsure.)

3. The subject matter is appropriate. (This is pretty open; if you wonder about it, you are probably not going to be comfortable sharing this in class.)

This assignment has two parts. For the first part, you must keep a response journal. 3Opts. (An explanation sheet is attached.) For the second part, you must construct a BLOOM BALL. lOO pts. The ball represents different levels of thinking and directions are as follows:

A. Knowledge: (Need two yellow circles) 5pts.

______On the first circle, write the title and author of the book. Plan the lettering to use up the entire space and to be attractive. Spell correctly!

______On the second circle, use complete sentences to write three facts about your author. Look at the back of the book or do some research, but use your own words.

B. Comprehension: (Need one green circle) lO pts. -

______Describe two main characters in the story or two main objects if a manual. Use two physical characteristics and two personality traits. Use complete sentences.

C. Application: (Need one white circle) 5 pts.

______Draw a picture, map or chart that represents setting or another concept from the book.

D. Analysis: (Need one white, three pink, and two blue circles) 5Opts.

______On the white circle, draw a picture of the most exciting, interesting, funny, or sad part of the story. Below the picture(s) write an explanation in complete sentences.

______ On the first pink circle, include important events or concepts explained in the book.

______On the second pink circle, write about the antagonist and the conflict in the book.

______On the third pink circle, choose an idea about life that is shown in the book. Describe how this book connects to today.

______On the first blue circle, write a biopoem about one of the characters in the book. (The format for a biopoem is attached.)

______On the second blue circle, in five or more complete sentences, write a different ending to the story.

E. Evaluation: (Need two white circles) lO pts.

______On the first circle, list and explain three adjectives about one of the characters or concepts that you admired or disliked. Use complete sentences. Explain WHY you feel this way.

______On the second circle, in five or more sentences, write an opinion of the book. Tell why you would recommend this or not recommend this book to a friend.

Directions for completion:2Opts.

• Your Bloom Ball must be completed on a computer. No handwritten projects will be accepted.
• Create or import the provided pattern into a word processing document; insert text boxes into the pentagon and begin typing. You may decorate your edges with the computer or by hand.
• When you have printed, carefully cut the 12 circles.
• Fold each circle on the lines so that the folds are facing up. If you care to hand decorate the folds using a theme from the book or another design, do it at this time. (Decorating is required.)
• When all circles have been completed, and all the edges have been folded, you may staple or glue the circles together. Be sure all edges are facing up.
• Present your Bloom Ball to the class.

Response writing

You will be doing response writing to hand in for credit. The purpose of response writing is to get you thinking and interacting with what you are reading and what you have learned. It allows your brain to absorb quietly the learning in which you are involved.

What can you write about?  

• Writing questions to parts of stories that you don’t understand
• Predicting what might come next
• Writing a different beginning or ending
• Connecting the reading with personal experiences
• Reacting to an important idea of part of the reading
• Expressing identification with a character -
• Criticizing a reading as good, bad or boring and why
• Arguing with a concept or with a character
• Reviewing another reading that CONNECTS
• Writing a poem or a letter to a character
• Categorizing characters that you have met, such as villains or heroes
• Commenting on the style of writing and what you see in it, such as favorite parts or parts that confuse
• Summarizing what you read

You must have a minimum of 15 entries to turn in. Your entries may be handwritten or typed, but must be varied – you may only use any of the 13 categories listed above twice each.

How do I get started?

Consider the following: What did I learn? What did I like or dislike? Who are these characters like? What movies/television/or books are like my book? Have I experienced anything like this? These are just some of the questions to get you started.

Bio-poem

This form works well for you, a character in a book, or an object that you may personify:

Line 1: Your character’s/object’s first name
Line 2: Four words that describe this character
Line 3: Brother/sister of...
Line 4: Lover of ... (three ideas or people)
Line 5: Who feels...(three ideas)
Line 6: Who needs... ((three ideas)
Line 7: Who gives... (three ideas)
Line 8: Who fears…(three ideas)
Line 9: Who would like to see...
Line 10: Resident of...
Line 11: His or her last name or other name

Example:

Grant
Tall, athletic, soft-spoken, and efficient
Friend of Joe
Lover of sports, teammates, and victory
Who feels frustrated, driven, energetic
Who needs a play-off berth, a championship ring, and respect
Who gives respect, pride, and his best
Who fears a loss, a change in ownership, a trade
Who would like to see teamwork, support from fans, and victory
Resident of Detroit
Hill