Summer Novel Project

OVERVIEW: This summer, you should have read the novel Loser, by Jerry Spinelli, and (if you are in honors language arts) also the novel Wednesday Wars, by Gary Schmidt. It's time to demonstrate not only what you know about the summer reading but what type of student you are. Follow the directions below for you novel project.

SUMMARY: In our Results Only Learning Environment (ROLE), you know that your teacher is more concerned with the results than with how you get there. So, you have a "menu" of options to choose from. Your selections and how well you complete the tasks will tell me a lot about your reading ability and if you are a Type I learner. Please complete one thing from each category on the menu. Remember, anything you write should go on your novel project page on Barnesclass.com. You can also place a PowerPoint or other presentation on your web site.

REGULAR LANGUAGE ARTS ONLY

Appetizers (complete ONE)

  • You are Zinkoff; write a one-paragraph note to any of your teachers saying why you like him or her.
  • You are Zinkoff; sketch a picture of one event from the novel; add a caption.
  • You are you; write a one-paragraph note to Jerry Spinelli, telling him what you like most about Loser and why.

Entree, or main course (complete ONE)

  • Create a storyboard that outlines the characters and plot of the novel, Loser. You may use PowerPoint or other storyboarding tools of your choice. You may create your storyboard on paper, if you wish. Storyboards should contain at least 12 pictures/slides. It should be detailed and have captions on each picture.
  • Identify three different examples of figurative language in Loser and explain what they mean. Refer to the Figurative Language section at the bottom of this Literary Elements page for help.
  • Create a podcast summarizing Loser. You can use Voki.com or Audioboo.fm to create your podcast. You can put it on your web site for me to see. I will help you with this menu item, if you choose it.
  • Ghost write a missing chapter of the novel, Loser. In other words, you play the author. How would you change the book? Make it at least 300 words.

Dessert (complete ONE)

  • Create a new title for the novel, Loser.
  • Sketch a picture of the Waiting Man.
  • Write a couple of sentences explaining the most important lesson from Loser.

  QUESTIONS? Go to our message board and post any question you have.

Honors Language Arts only

Appetizers (complete ONE for each novel)

From Loser

  • You are Zinkoff; sketch a picture of one event from the novel; add a caption.
  • You are you; write a one-paragraph note to Jerry Spinelli, telling him what you like most about Loser and why.

From Wednesday Wars

  • You are Holling Hoodhood. Write a note to your teacher, thanking her for making you love Shakespeare.
  • List 5 songs Holling's sister would like, which band sings them and what they are about
  • Find a picture that represents the Vietnam War and briefly summarize it.

Entree, or main course (complete ONE for each novel)

Loser

  • Create a storyboard about that outlines the characters and plot of the novel, Loser. You may use PowerPoint or other storyboarding tools of your choice. You may create your storyboard on paper, if you wish. It should be detailed and have captions on each picture.
  • Identify three different examples of figurative language in Loser and explain what they mean. Refer to the Figurative Language section at the bottom of this Literary Elements page for help.
  • Create a podcast summarizing Loser. You must create it using Voki.com -- a free podcasting application. I will help you with this menu item, if you choose it.
  • Ghost write a missing chapter of the novel, Loser. In other words, you play the author. How would you change the book? Make it at least 500 words.

Wednesday Wars

  • Write an essay (4 paragraphs at least) summarizing the Vietnam War and its role in the novel.
  • Write an essay (3 paragraphs at least) identifying at least three examples of Shakespeare in the novel. Be sure to explain how these examples affect the story. 
  • Create a detailed storyboard about the novel that covers the plot events, conflicts and characters. Be sure to add captions, explaining each board.

Dessert (complete ONE for each novel)

Loser

  • Create a new title for the novel.
  • Sketch a picture of the Waiting Man.
  • Write a couple of sentences explaining the most important lesson from Loser.

Wednesday Wars

  • Create a new title for the novel.
  • Sketch a picture of one of the main characters in the novel

QUESTIONS? Go to our message board and post any question you have.