Individualized Essays Questions:
Assessing Independent Reading
Are you afraid your students aren't really reading during silent
reading? Do you need a common assessment? Though the product is not
common (students write on different topics); the process of writing an
essay is. Use individualized essay questions based on students'
independent reading. In Janet Allen's book, Yellow Brick Roads, Allen describes
using individualized questions to assess students' independent reading
habits. These questions are based on her models.
December 2003
Joshua- Transall Saga, The Bluford
Series (Until We Meet
Again, Secrets in the Shadows,
Lost & Found, The Gun, A Matter of Trust, The Bully, Someone to
Love Me ) <>The Outsiders, Cirque
de Freak #1, 2, 4, Holes
Kristen- Parallel
Journeys, Witness, Stop Pretending,
The Ghost Sitter, Dear
Jessica- What My Mother Doesn’t Know, Angst, Green
Angel, Stop Pretending, Transall Saga,
Kids Book of
Questions, Newport News, Baby Bear Book of Rhymes
Natalie- Downsiders, Chicken Soup for the
Teenage Soul (1 &
2), Farenheit 451, Food Fight, Holes,
Chicken Soup
for Teens on Tough Stuff, What My Mother Doesn’t Know, Someone to Love
Me,
Until We Meet Again, A Matter of Trust, Girl Coming In For a Landing,
The
Bully, Forged by Fire, It’s Not Easy Being Bad, Time Machine, Teen Ink,
Secreats and The Shadows, Teen Ink 2
Reggie- Xenocide, Ender’s Game, Children of
the Mind, Time
Machine, Ender’s Shadow, Artemis Fowl, Shadow of the Hegemon
Period 1
Final Exam Essay Questions
Directions: Write a well organized, multi-paragraph essay in response to your question below.
(student name here...) , you have read several choose your own adventure novels this semester. Based on the variety of adventure books you have read, what specific elements do you see making up this type of writing? What do these books have in common? What do you think makes these books so interesting? What would be the difference between a good choose your own adventure novel and a bad one? Use specific example from the books you have read (Destination Brain, Time Machine, Under Dragon’s Wing, or Raid on Nightmare Castle) to support your response.
Jenni, and Bryan, you have completed the Harry Potter series this semester. In light of what we learned about the hero’s journey, what type of hero is Harry Potter? Does his status as a hero change throughout the series? Apply the three elements of the hero’s journey (separation, transformation, and return) to the Harry Potter series and discuss how and why these novels fit the journey pattern. Use specific examples from the novels to illustrate each step in Harry’s journey.
Levi, you have read a variety of books this semester but the books that seemed most engaging to you were the ones about scuba diving. Describe what you learned from The Safe Art of Cave Diving and Scuba Rescue and how you could apply what you learned during one of your own dives. Use specific examples from your books to describe a safe dive experience.
Jason, you browsed or stopped and started several books before finally settling into reading a variety of novels, plays and even nonfiction works (Tut Tut Time Warp Trio, The Pigman, Hamlet, Anthem, Othello and others). Based on your reading, what makes a novel appealing to you? What elements are common to the books you read? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading. Use specific examples from your reading to craft your response.
Brady, you have read several books this semester related to the theme of the utopia or a perfect futuristic world. What do you think our society will be like in another thousand years? Will it resemble the societies in the books you read? Using specific examples from Anthem, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984 discuss elements from these novels that you feel may or may not actually become reality sometime in our future and give reasons as to why you feel this may be so.
Dejan, you browsed or stopped and started several books before finally settling into reading a variety of novels. Based on your reading, what makes a novel appealing to you? What elements are common to the books you read? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading? Use specific examples from your reading to craft your response.
Jeroen, the books you seemed most engrossed in this semster were mysteries about teenagers who dealt with different types of social problems or crimes. Using What Jamie Saw, What Daddy Did, and the Remember Me series discuss criminal or social problems that confront teenagers today.
Tyrell, of the books you read this semester you seemed most interested in books about football or football stars. What have you learned about being a successful football player? Using specific examples from your readings of Herschel Walker, Running Tough, and Running Backs, describe what an athlete needs to do to become successful in the N.F.L.
Kenny, Dan Wiggins
Of the books you have read this semester, The Stars Wars series books seem to have interested you the most. Reflect on what we know about the hero archetype and the hero’s journey and compare and contrast two heroes from the novels you have read. How are they the same? What types of heroes are they? How are they different? Use specific examples from the novels you have read to craft your response.
Abe
You browsed or stopped and started several books before finally settling into reading a variety of novels, plays and even nonfiction works. Based on your reading, what makes a novel appealing to you? What elements are common to the books you read? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading. Use specific examples from your reading to craft your response.
Vanessa
You have read an incredible number of books this semseter, most of which involve strong female charactes. Using specific examples from your readings of Julia of the Wolves, Lyddie, Helen of Troy, Warriors Don’t Cry or other novels, discuss the similarities of your favorite female protagonists. Also, describe from your readings what you think makes up an effective character in young adolescent novels written specifically for girls your age.
Randy
Several of the books you have read this semester (Remember Me, Remember Me 2, and Left Behind) deal with the idea of the afterlife or what happens to a person’s body and soul once they die . How are the views about the afterlife expressed in these books similar? Different? How do they fit with what you believe? Use specific examples from your reading to craft your response.
<>Of the books you read this semester, the one that you seem most
enthralled with was The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkan.
Discuss why you think this is the best book you have ever read. What
makes it a good novel? What could have made the book stronger or more
effective? Use specific examples from the novel in your response.
Stephen, you browsed or stopped and started several books before finally settling into reading a variety of novels. Based on your reading of Canyons, 2095 The Time Warp Trio, and Animorphs, what makes a novel appealing to you? What elements are common to the books you read? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading? Use specific examples from your reading to craft your response.
Mike B., you have read a few books this semester that fall into the category of fantasy. Based on the books you’ve read, what specific elements do you see making up this type of writing? What do these books (Realm of Chaos, Searching for Dragons, and Raid on Nightmare Castle) all have in common? What do you think makes these books so interesting. What would be the difference between a good fantasy novel and a bad one? Cite specific examples for the books you’ve read this semester to support your response.
Ted, you have read a few books this semester that fall into the category of science fiction. Based on the books you’ve read, what specific elements do you see making up this type of writing? What do these books (Martian Chronicles, Alien Secrets, Visitors,and Singularity) all have in common? What do you think makes these books so interesting. What would be the difference between a good science fiction novel and a bad one? Cite specific examples for the books you’ve read this semester to support your response.
Tiffany, you have read several books that deal with teens in difficult situations. Whether historical, true or fictional, the novels you read this semester have strong female characters who face difficult problems. Based on your reading of Annie’s Baby, We Are Witnesses Teenage Holocaust Stories, Silver and A Break With Charity , discuss the problems you feel are the most difficult for young people. Choose examples from any of the boks you have read as support for your response.
Chris, the novels you seem to have enjoyed the most this semester involve strong characters involved in wars or conflicts. Based on the books you’ve read, what specific elements do you see making up this type of action writing? What do these books (Marine Sniper, Hunt for Red October, and Black Hawk Down,) all have in common? What do you think makes these books so interesting. What would be the difference between a good action novel and a bad one? Cite specific examples for the books you’ve read this semester to support your response.
Jake, you browsed or stopped and started several books before finally settling into reading. Based on your reading of The Old Man and the Sea, and The Lions of Ireland, what makes a novel appealing to you? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading? Use specific examples from your reading to craft your response.
Tim,
Two of the books you have read this semester (Fresh Wind Fresh Fire, and Left Behind) deal with Christian ideas concerning spirituality. How are the views expressed in these books similar? Different? How do they fit with what you believe? Use specific examples from your reading to craft your response.
Darrell, you have recently read two nonfiction books that deal with social problems and issues (Alcohol and Violence and Sports). Based on your reading, discuss the social problems that confront young adults today. How are teens affected by alcohol and violence? What can teenagers do to solve such problems in their own lives. Use examples from your reading to support your response.
Brandon, you have recently finished reading The Watson’s Go to Birmingham. What racial issues or tensions from the novel do see still troubling today’s teenagers? How can racial tensions be eased? How can schools help teach students to overcome their own prejudices? Based on your reading and your own life experiences, discuss the problem of racism in today’s society or in our schools.
Gabby, you have read many of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books this semester. These books have true-life accounts of people coping with a variety of problems. Have you used any of the wisdom found in these novels in your own life? Have you acted kinder toward others because of reading these stories? How could these stories help young people with their problems or help young people to live better lives? Use examples from your readings and your own experience to support your response.
Josh, of the books you have read this semester (Buried Alive, and The Count of Monte Cristo) which has been your favorite? What makes a novel appealing to you? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading? What are the essential characteristics all good books should have? Use specific examples from your reading to construct your response.
Raquel, you have really sped through many of the books in the Left Behind series this semester! Those books and the novel, Armageddon Summer, have specific views concerning the end of the world. Compare the two views of the world’s end. How are the beliefs of the two groups in the novels (Left Behind, Tribulation Force, etc., and Armageddon Summer) similar? How do their beliefs compare to your own? Use examples from your readings and your own experience when writing your response.
Jovon, you’ve read an assortment of books this semester. From Ella Enchanted to Captain Underpants to The Count of Monte Cristo. Describe what makes a novel appealing to you? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading? What are the essential characteristics all good books should have? Use specific examples from your reading to construct your response.
Robby, you have read several science fiction books this semester. Based on your reading of Net Force, The Not So Jolly Roger, The Good The Bad and the Goofy, and Singularity describe how you think our world will be in the next five hundred years. Will we be able to travel through time? Will virtual reality be common place? What unique inventions from the books you have read do you think will actually become part of our society? Use examples from your readings when writing your response.
Ashley, you have read a wide variety of books this semester. You seemed most engaged by Just Ella and Of Two Minds. Using examples from these books discuss the characteristics of this type of romance novel. What do these novels have in common? What characteristics make up a good romance? Use examples from the books to support your answer.
Jamie, The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Hatchet seem like very different types of books. However, both main characters have to survive a trauma. How are Kit and Brian similar characters? What do each have to survive? How do they manage? Using specific examples from the novels compare the two characters in your response.
Miguel, in each of the books you’ve read this semester (Fell Back, Call it Courage, The Cage, and The Count of Monte Cristo) the main characters have needed courage to face a problem. Compare the ways at least two of the main characters from two novels you read use courage to overcome the problems that confront them. Be sure to cite specific examples from your readings in your response.
Mario, you have completed the Harry Potter series this semester. In light of what we learned about the hero’s journey, what type of hero is Harry Potter? Does his status as a hero change throughout the series? Apply the three elements of the hero’s journey (separation, transformation, and return) to the Harry Potter series and discuss how and why these novels fit the journey pattern. Use specific examples from the novels to illustrate each step in Harry’s journey.
Joel, you have read several books that have also been made into movies. Both Sawshank Redemption and The Green Mile are set in prisons. How do the authors portray our prison systems in these novels? How are the prisons and prison systems the same in the novels? Different? What message do you think these authors are trying to convey about our prisons? Use specific examples in your response.
Alex, you’ve read an assortment of books this semester from Hatchet, and The Not So Jolly Roger to Inside Baseball, and Stealing Home the Jackie Robinson Story. Which was your favorite book and why? Describe what makes a novel appealing to you? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading? What are the essential characteristics all good books should have? Use specific examples from your reading to construct your response.
Christian, you’ve read an assortment of books this semester from Jackie Robinson Stealing Home and Slam to Five Minute Mysteries and Armageddon Summer. Which was your favorite book and why? Describe what makes a novel appealing to you? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading? What are the essential characteristics all good books should have? Use specific examples from your reading to construct your response.
<>>Nick, you’ve done a lot of reading this semester! Several of the novels you have read are considered classics (The Catcher in the Rye, The Lord of the Flies, Of Mice and Men, and The Pearl). Based on your readings, what do you think makes a book a "classic"? What do these books have in common? Why do you think they have endured for so many years and remained popular? Use specific examples from your books to support your answer.
Sean, as you said, you have been reading a lot of science fiction. You’ve also read about Newton a famous scientist. Based on your readings, what do you think makes a book a science fiction? What do these books have in common? What makes a good science fiction novel as opposed to a bad one? Use specific examples from your books to support your answer.
Donny, you have read several novels that have "survival" themes: Hatchet, Brian’s Winter, and The River. What have you learned about the characteristics it takes to survive? Use specific examples from your novels to support your response.
Jon, you’ve read an assortment of books this semester Stangers, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Wave. Which was your favorite book and why? Describe what makes a novel appealing to you? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading? What are the essential characteristics all good books should have? Use specific examples from your reading to construct your response.
Lucas, you have mainly browsed or stopped and started several books this semester. Though you finished Spider’s in the Hairdo, you seemed to start and abandon Hatchet, The Girl Who Liked Tom Gordon, Go Ask Alice, Canyons and others. Based on your reading or sampling of books, what makes a novel appealing to you? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading. Use specific examples from your reading to craft your response.
Kiana, many of the books you have read this semester deal with teens facing difficult real life situations. Based on your reading (Remember Mog, Don’t Look Behind You, and What Daddy Did) and your own life experiences, discuss how teenagers deal with death. What can you learn from these novels about this difficult life experience? Use examples from your novels in your response.
Mike W., you have mainly browsed or stopped and started several books this semester. Though you finished The Invitation, Night Moves, Maximum Vigilance, Apollo 13, and Hardy Boys Mark on the Door. Which book was your favorite and why? Based on your reading, what makes a novel appealing to you? What makes up a good book that you would want to finish reading. Use specific examples from your reading to craft your response.
Bobby W., you have read two popular horror/suspense novels this semester Fear Nothing and Mutation. What do you think makes Dean Koontz’ books so popular with today’s readers? What do these books have in common? What did you like/dislike about them? Use examples from the two novels in your written response.
John, you have seem most interested in the most recent book you have been reading, Designing with Java Script. What have learned about program design from reading this book? What is Java Script and how is it used? How will you use what you have read about it in your own life? Using definitions or examples from your book, write about what you have learned from your reading.<>>