Summer Reading
Project Descriptions and Assessment Checklists
Grades 3-4
BioPoem- 20 Pts.
Directions:
A BioPoem is a brief poem with 10 lines that describes a character from literature or a significant person
in history. Write a BioPoem using the following example and format:
(Line 1) First name
(Line 2) Three or four adjectives that describe the person
(Line 3) Important relationship (daughter of . . . , mother of . . . , etc)
(Line 4) Two or three things, people, or ideas that the person loved
(Line 5) Three feelings the person experienced
(Line 6) Three fears the person experienced
(Line 7) Accomplishments (who composed . . . , who discovered . . . , etc.)
(Line 8) Two or three things the person wanted to see happen or wanted to experience
(Line 9) His or her residence
(Line 10) Last name
Example:
Rosa
Determined, brave, strong, loving
Wife of Raymond Parks, mother of all children
Who loved equality, freedom, and the benefits of a good education
Who hated discrimination, loved to stand up for her beliefs, and loved to help others
Who feared that racism would continue, feared losing the opportunity to make a difference, and feared
that young people might lose opportunities to develop strength and courage
Who changed history as she accomplished great strides for equality and encouraged excellence for all
Who wanted to see love triumph and see an end to all bias and discrimination in a world in which respect
is freely given to all
Born in Alabama and living in Detroit
Parks
Technology resources:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson398/biopoem.pdf
Assessment Checklist:
Poem has 10 lines, which follow required format
Clearly demonstrates character traits of a main character
Shows evidence of thoughtfulness and creativity
TOTAL
/10
/5
/5
/20
Character Analysis Figure – 20 Pts.
Directions:
Draw a main character from your story and describe 4-6 character traits, which describe how
the character thinks, acts, feels, and looks. For each character trait you list, provide an example
from the text which supports your answer.
Example:
“Dorothy was scared. I know she was scared when the witch threatened her and
Toto because she began to cry and said, ‘I’m very, very frightened!’”
Technology resources:
http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/GO/GO_pdf/Character_map_boy.pdf
http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/GO/GO_pdf/character_map.pdf
Assessment Checklist:
Character analysis has at least 4-6 character traits which describe how the
character thinks, acts, feels and looks
Illustration/ Drawing of Character included
Shows evidence of thoughtfulness and creativity
TOTAL
/10
/5
/5
/20
Comic Strip - 20 Pts.
Directions:
Using your own artistic skills or an online resource, such as http://www.toondoo.com/
create a comic strip illustrating the sequence of main events in your book
Example:
Technology resources:
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/
http://www.toondoo.com/
http://donnayoung.org/art/comics.htm
Assessment Checklist:
Comic Strip clearly presents sequence of main events in chronological order
Minimum of 4- 8 comic panels (boxes) with appropriate dialogue and
illustrations
Projects shows evidence of thoughtfulness and creativity
TOTAL
/10
/5
/5
/20
Who Am I Riddle?- 20 Pts.
Directions:
Using a riddle format, create a list of 4-6 riddle facts that would describe a character in your
story or a significant person in history about whom you read.
Example:
1. I am a heroic spider –
2. I am
3. a good friend to a barnyard pig named Wilbur –
4. WHO AM I?
(Answer: I am Charlotte from the story Charlotte’s Web)
Technology resources:
Samples of riddles http://www.buzzle.com/articles/who-am-i-riddles.html
Assessment Checklist:
List of 4 – 6 riddle facts is given
Riddle facts effectively show understanding of character/person in history
Projects shows evidence of thoughtfulness and creativity
TOTAL
/5
/10
/5
/20
Character Trading Cards – 30 Pts.
Directions:
Using index cards or an interactive online tool, such as
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/trading_cards/
create trading cards for 3-5 characters from your book. For each character trading card
you must list the following:
Side One
Name the character
Draw or paste a picture of the character
Side Two
Describe the character’s personality, thoughts, feelings, actions.
Describe the way the character interacts with others. (optional)
Connect to the character with your own likes or dislikes (optional)
For help in planning your Character Trading Cards, use the technology link for the
Planning Sheet below.
Example:
Technology resources:
Planning Sheet http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson932/planningsheet.pdf
Interactive Tool http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/trading_cards/
Assessment Checklist:
Trading Cards are made for 3-5 characters from the story
Logical information for each character is presented
Drawing/ illustrations of character included
Projects shows evidence of thoughtfulness and creativity
TOTAL
/10
/10
/5
/5
/30
Alternate Ending – 30 Pts.
Directions:
Create and write an alternate ending for your book. Be creative in your planning, considering
how a different ending might change the outcome for characters. The ending should still
maintain the original characters and progress logically (make sense).
Example:
Think about how different the story of the “Three Little Pigs” would be if we consider the story from the
wolf’s point of view. What if the wolf made friends with the last pig, instead of trying to blow his brick
house down? How would the story end?
Technology resources:
Fractured Fairy Tales http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/studentinteractives/fractured-fairy-tales-30062.html
Assessment Checklist:
Creatively changes the plot which results in different outcome/ending.
Logically progresses from the original story, maintains character (s),
and makes sense
A well-developed paragraph with 7-10 sentences
Project shows evidence of thoughtfulness and creativity
/10
/10
TOTAL
/30
/5
/5
Rap/Song - 30 Pts.
Directions:
Write and/or record a rap or song about a story element from literature or an idea/topic from
non-fiction text. You may use a familiar tune to create your rap/song.
Example:
Sample rap for the Phases of the Moon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXK63GpwUqs
Sample rap for the Seasons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWF8Su78xik
Technology resources:
Familiar tunes to create rap/song
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson1026/lyrics.pdf
Assessment Checklist:
Based upon a character or event from a story, or a major idea/topic
from non-fiction.
Logically uses key ideas from text to demonstrate understanding
Poetically/musically appealing
Project shows evidence of thoughtfulness and creativity
/10
TOTAL
/30
/10
/5
/5
Create an Event or BioTimeline - 30 Pts.
Directions:
Create a timeline of 6-8 dates for a major event in history or for the life of a significant person.
Be creative and use logic and artistic skills to create your timeline. Add something special
(pictures, etc)to your timeline as an extra “Ta Dah!”
Example:
Technology resources:
Use this interactive tool to create a timeline http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschoolresources/games-tools/timeline-tool-30246.html
Template for timeline http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/botr/botr_006_15-15.pdf
Assessment Checklist:
Includes 6-8 events from major event or the life of a significant
person in history
Uses images and words
Visually appealing
Project shows evidence of thoughtfulness and creativity
TOTAL
/10
/10
/5
/5
/30
Breaking News - 30 Pts.
Directions:
Write a breaking news article describing a character or main event/conflict from your story. Your
article should look like a newspaper article, including a heading, details from the scene, possible
interviews from people/characters, and a picture/photo. It should answer Who, What, When,
Where, and Why questions.
Example:
Technology resources:
Interactive newspaper printing press http://interactives.mped.org/view_interactive.aspx?id=110&title
Sample newspaper format
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson249/format.pdf
Assessment Checklist:
Uses a familiar newspaper format, including a picture, which describes
an important character conflict or event from literature.
Article answers Who, What, When, Where, and Why
G.U.M.S. (Grammar, usage, mechanics, spelling)
Projects shows evidence of thoughtfulness and creativity
TOTAL
/10
/10
/5
/5
/30