Book Talk Project Grades: 3 test grades: one for the book talk, one for the visual

aid, one for meeting the 600 pages of outside reading criterion. 1. The main purpose of a booktalk is to grab the audience's interest and make them want to read the book. It's always a good idea to end the booktalk with a cliffhanger. Booktalks are usually presented to groups of students orally. 2. During book talks, students share with classmates books they have read, heard or "discovered." The shared selections are books students have read themselves. 3. How to prepare for your book talk. 1. You will read a book that you have completed and that you have noted on your reading logs (which have been noted weekly) and which you will attach to your rubric when you present your book talk. Your book must be appropriate for your grade level.

2. You will create a visual aid (such as a poster project) that illustrates your book to help entice your peers to read the book. (DO NOT COPY BOOK JACKETS or ILLUSTRATIONS ALREADY IN PRINT!) Include the title and authors name on your visual aid. 3. You will need the book to show to your peers and from which you will read an enticing passage and explain what makes that passage your favorite from the book. 4. You will present a 2-3 minute talk about your book. Identify the title and author of the book. Identify the setting and conflict and summarize the main plot of the book but do not give away the ending. Talk about the main character or characters in the book. Suggest who might enjoy or not enjoy this book. 5. Book talks are rather informal; however, have notes and practice what you plan to say. Be ready to answer questions about the book. 4. Book Talk Rubric 1. You will be graded based upon a rubric. A rubric is a scoring tool that lists the criteria for a piece of work, or "what counts" (for example, purpose, organization, details, voice, and mechanics are often what count in a piece of writing); it also articulates gradations of quality for each criterion, from excellent to poor. On the reverse side of this sheet is the rubric I will use while assessing your book talk.

Book Talk Rubric Student Name: __________________________ Title and Author of Book: _____________________________ Date: _____ 4=Excellent 3=Good 2=Average 1=Needs Work 0=Not Evident

Knowledge/Content of Book: Setting Plot summary Main characters Important Conflict W W W W A A A A G G G G E E E E

_____/15 points

Evaluation/Critique Did the student share and explain his/her opinion of the book? Did the student justify opinions with reasons and examples? Did the student suggest which students might enjoy this book? Passage Did the student choose an appropriate passage to share? Did the student explain the choice of passage? Did the student read the passage well? Delivery Volume Confident/Enthusiasm Preparation/Effort/Time Limit W W W A A A W W W A A A W W W

_____/20 points A A A G G G E E E

_____/5 points G G G E E E

_____/10 points G G G E E E

Total Points: _____/50

C. Barras

Book Talk Rubric

December 10, 2007

Students Name___________________________ Title and Author of book:_________________________________ Date of Presentation:_________________ 4= Excellent 3=Good 2=Average 1=Needs Work 0= Not Done

CATEGORY Presentation: Introduction

4
Wow! Sounds like a great book! I'm listening! Way to start with a bang! You included the title, author and genre in your introduction Well organized and informative. Lots of interesting information about the book's main events/ideas and some important details. Book's reading level and/or interest level is appropriate. Well-summarized and good closing. You really wrapped it up. You told who would be interested in your type of book. Yes! Great passage choice and explanation of choice. You even shared the book by passing it around! You did great! Includes a succinct detailed explanation of your opinion with lots of text support.

3
Good introduction. It just lacks that spark of excitement. Some of the required information is missing.

2
You forgot to tell us something important, but you did try to introduce the story. Most of the required information is present Somewhat organized. You provided lots of detailed information about the book. Book's level and or content was somewhat inappropriate for grade level.

1
What introduction? Needs a lot of work. Did you read the book?

Summary (include: setting, characters, and plot, and conflict)

Mostly organized and informative. you provided lots of detailed information about the book. Book's level and or content was appropriate

Did you read the book? Inappropriate content. Who are your characters?

Presentation: Conclusion, Evaluation and Recommendation Brought book to share with peers and read an appropriate passage Explained opinion of the book

Mostly well done. O.K. You told who You stated who might be interested would be interested in reading the book. in your book.

Poor. No recommendation. You didn't try to encourage anyone to read the book.

Yes, Interesting passage choice. You brought the book. You forgot to pass it around.

Interesting passage choice, but you forgot to show the book to the class.

You might have had a passage. You didn't bring the book. Is there really such a book? Where is it?

Includes some details in the explanation with some support from the text.

Includes basic Confusing or details in the incomplete explanation but little explanation. support

Visual Aid

Fantastic! Your visual aid connects almost perfectly to your presentation and your book! Aesthetics are superb! Easy to see from the back of the room.

Great! Your visual aid does a good job of connecting to the book. Very nice looking. Easy to see from the back of the room.

O.K. Your visual aid connects to the book, sort of. Artwork is not really neat. Not so easy to see from the back of the room--maybe the middle.

Poor. Not easy to see from the back of the room. Not neat--did you scribble something this morning? Where is the book connection or did you just copy the book jacket?

Professional

A true pro! You were prepared, organized and seemed calm! You made great eye contact with the audience. Fast enough, loud enough & you sounded enthusiastic!

Pretty good job. You might need to prepare a little bit more. Your eye contact was about 75%.

Hmm. Practice next Did You even know time before you get you had to report to up in front of the us? No eye contact. class. Don't read the presentation--tell it. Look as us! Limited eye contact. Eh, Say that again? I could not understand you--too soft, too fast, or too slow!

Voice

Pace & volume were Pace & volume could mostly good. Some be improved. Some enthusiasm what lackadaisical. detected.