10th Grade Reading
Mattingly
3rd Nine Weeks
Learning Enhancement Points (L.E.P.): Spring 2011
DIRECTIONS: You must choose a new book (one you
haven’t read before) that you think is on or above your
reading level. You can choose any novel, memoir, or
autobiography that interests you. However, it must be
somewhat challenging and you must okay the book with
me in advance. The project has two parts—1 written and
1 creative (see attached). Both parts are DUE:
Wednesday, March 9, 2011.
Be sure to follow the steps below carefully and as
always, talk to me IN ADVANCE if you have any
questions, or concerns.
Part 1: You must choose 4 questions (there are 7
available) to answer according to your book. A thorough
answer should have two full paragraphs (at least 5
sentences per paragraph) and contain specific examples
(quotes, paraphrasing, etc.) from the story. Your
responses need to be typed and printed out.
Part 2: You need to complete ONE of the creative
projects on the attached list. Make sure you complete all
parts of the project and do a thorough, detailed job.
This project will be worth 20 points AS A TEST
GRADE. Here’s a chart to see what you COULD receive.
Please keep in mind that this is chart is an
approximate and it is not guaranteed that this will
happen to your grade- it may vary. Please see me if
you are wondering SPECIFICALLY about your grade.
CURRENT GRADE… AFTER L.E.P.…
95 A 97 A
85 B 90 A
75 C 82 B
65 D 75 C
55 F 67 D
45 F 60 D
PART ONE— WRITTEN COMPONENT
1. Explain the meaning of the title of your story—what does the title have to do with the
story? Why did the author choose this title over other possible titles? If you were to title this
story, what would you title it? Give examples from the story that support your ideas.
2. Describe the setting of your story in the following terms (include them all!):
Era—years or time period it takes place in and amount of time the story spans (how
much time passes from the beginning to the end of the story)
Location—where does the story take place? Explain this in terms of the small scale
(the building or place) to the large scale (the city or country)
Historical Context—what is life like for people during this time period? What are the
major events/issues that are affecting them (war, economic problems, etc)?
3. Who is the protagonist of your story (the main character)? List 3 physical characteristics
and 3 personality traits that really give us a clue as to who this person is. Provide one quote
(with the page number) from your text that supports your description of his/her personality.
(NOTE: do not use words like “nice” or “sweet”—dig deeper and really try to describe this
person with powerful words.)
4. What is/are the main theme(s) of your story (examples: racism, love, gender issues,
poverty, human rights, struggle for equality, overcoming abuse, growing up, travel,
transitions, other)? What message do you think the author wants readers to understand
about the theme(s)? Do you agree with the message? Why or why not? Give specific
examples from the story to support your ideas.
5. Write the last sentence of your story down. Explain how the story leads up to that last
sentence. Is this sentence appropriate as the last sentence of your story? Why or why not?
6. Is your story based upon the workings of the heart (meant to affect you emotionally) or
the workings of the mind (meant to make you think)? Or is it both? Whatever your
response, explain why using three specific examples from your story.
7. Do you identify with a character from this story? Why or why not? Explain using examples
from your character’s life and from your own life. If you can’t think of them, explain the
difference between yourself and the most opposite character from you using examples from
the character’s life and your own.
PART TWO—CREATIVE COMPONENT
Choose ONE of the following choices for the creative component of your project. Remember that this
creative part of your project should reflect the same amount of deep thinking and effort as the
written part. PLEASE READ ALL CHOICES BEFORE SELECTING ONE!
1. Create a map (in color!) that includes all of the places that major parts of your story take place.
Label the major landmarks and points of interest that characters journey to and from. You must
include a quote from your novel that discusses or represents each major place (include page
numbers!). Your map must be accurate if it is based upon real places (cities, states, etc) and should
be turned in on posterboard (NOT on notebook paper!!). Be sure that it is very detailed and relevant
to your story.
2. Imagine that your book is going to be made into a movie and create a soundtrack for that
movie. Make a playlist or CD containing at least 5 songs—the music can either be written by you or
written by a recording artist. Each song should match a certain scene from the book. Instrumental
music is fine. Along with your tape or CD, you must turn in typed copies of all of the lyrics from your
songs and a brief description (1-2 paragraphs) of the scene it goes with and how it represents that
scene. You must also include one quote from your book that relates to each song you chose.
3. Create a “Book Talk” video. Videotape yourself convincing others to read your book. Your
video must include the following information: the book title, author, a basic summary of what it’s
about, and a passage from the book read out loud. Remember: the goal of the video is to make
people excited to read that book you’ve chosen.
4. Choose an important scene in your novel to illustrate in comic book or storyboard format.
You should present the scene in 8-12 frames (if doing a comic strip) or shots (if doing a storyboard).
Use color and captions on each frame/shot. On the back, write the quotation/paragraph/chapter
(whichever is closest) from the story that your project represents. Your project should be done on
computer paper or poster oard (NOT NOTEBOOK PAPER!).
5. Create a video of one important scene from your book. You can act out the scene, use
action figures or cardboard cut-outs, add music, or anything else you can imagine. Make sure that
you include the book title, author, and a brief explanation of the scene so viewers can easily
understand what is happening in your video.
6. Create a mobile of 5 characters from your story. Include a picture (can be symbolic)
representation and description of each character on the mobile, so that who they are becomes
obvious to the viewer as you explain your work. Incorporate themes somehow (be creative) and
include quotations from which the character descriptions were inspired, along with anything else
you’d like.
NOTE: A mobile is a hanging collection of objects and images, most often seen above babies’ cribs
(see images below).
7. Write at least 5 poems about your novel. Poems can be written from different characters’
perspectives, from one character to another, from the author’s point of view, etc…Each poem must
thoughtfully and meaningfully reflect both personalities and themes from the book. Each poem
should be at least one page typed, and should be filled with detail and description. They should also
each be about different situations, characters, scenes, or themes from DIFFERENT POINTS IN THE
NOVEL.
