Critic's Corner

Introduction:

Going to the media center, library, or bookstore can be overwhelming when you don't know what you want to read! There are books on limitless topics and genres! How do you know which book you will enjoy reading?

Many times we learn about interesting books through talking with friends. Another fun way to learn about good books is by watching book trailers. What is a book trailer? Book Trailers for Readers has a variety of examples! School Tube also have a collection of trailers. Teacher Tube also hosts book trailers.

Good book trailers point out interesting titles and authors. The viewer learns the genre of the book and meets some of the main characters. The viewer learns about the plot and details from one or more of the most engaging parts of the story. Great book trailers even leave the viewer with some unanswered questions about the book, or a hook!

A thoughtful script, photographs, music, video clips, and narration can all be pulled together to produce a winning book trailer. Engaging students with reading, creative writing, and multimedia production... book trailers are the perfect replacement for traditional written book reports. In fact, check out Kathy Wickline's lesson plan, Book Report Alternative: Creating Reading Excitement with Book Trailers. She has done a great job of leading teachers though the creation process with lots of support, easy to use handouts, and a final rubric!

Task:

The Critic's Corner needs your help! Because you are a thoughtful reader and writer, you have been selected to create a book trailer that will be posted to the site!

This webquest will lead you through the steps to create a book trailer. The Georgia Children Book Award Nominee list or the Georgia Peach Teen Book Award Nominee list will be your starting point!

Book Selection Guide: Students in grades fourth through eighth should select their book from the Georgia Children Book Award Nominees. Students in grades the ninth through twelfth should select their book from the Georgia Peach Teen Award Nominees.

Objectives:

1. Participants will read a book from either the Georgia Children Book Award Nominee list or the Georgia Peach Teen Award Nominee list.

2. Participants will work with a partner to summarize the plot of a book from either the Georgia Children Book Award Nominee list or the Georgia Peach Teen Award Nominee list.

4. Participants will create a video book trailer including background music and sound effects using iMovie on the iPad.

5. Final trailers will be exported to Vimeo.

6. Participants will use the provided template to create 25 HRRB questions for a book on the provided list.

Common Core GPS- https://www.georgiastandards.org/Common-Core/Documents/ELA_Grade5_ResourcePacket_FV.pdf

(The standards listed are for fifth grade; however, this activity could apply for grades fourth through twelfth.)

ELACC5RF4, ELACC5RL2, ELACC5W1, ELACC5SL4, ELACC5SL5

Needed Materials:

To complete this quest you will need access to the Internet, an iPad, one of the suggested books, Green Screen by Do Ink app, and iMovie for the iPad. You can access the provided HRRB question template here. If you want to use the iPad to create your questions, you will need the Numbers app. Excel on a PC or Mac also works fine!

Let's Begin the Quest!

1. If you are in elementary school or middle school begin by reviewing the Georgia Children's Book Award Nominees list. If you are in high school you will want to review the Georgia Peach Teen Book Award Nominees. If you see a title you might like, click on the title to read a short overview of the book. Discuss which book you and your partner would like to read. You both have to decide on the same book.

2. Next you are ready to download the book on to your iPad or check it out from the media center. Visit your school media specialist for assistance with this task. Remember you are working with a partner to complete this quest. You both will need a copy of the book you have selected. Begin reading the book and discussing along the way.

*3. If you are interested in participating in the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, it is also a good idea to take notes for questions as you read. Digging Deeper: Do you want to see how the HRRB questions are formatted? Notice all the questions begin "In the book", followed by the title. Each question also has a factual short answer. Only write questions that have one possible answer! The page number must be included. We will study your questions as we prepare for the reading bowl, if you choose to be on the team. (This is best done on a computer using Excel or Numbers!) Use this template to write your questions.

4. Each story has a plot! Digging Deeper: What is the plot of a story? Watch this brief video to find out! Once you have completed the book with your partner, discuss the plot of the story. It is time to think about the book as a whole. Work with your partner to write a brief review of the book. Use this handout to help you gather your thoughts. Use your best grammar!

5. You are going to turn your written review into a trailer! Get familiar with iMovie on the iPad by watching this tutorial. You can also visit Apple's iMovie Help for iPad. Portia Evans, an ITS at LCSS, created this awesome pdf tutorial!

6. Would you like to use a chromakey effect in your trailer? Green Screen by DoInk is easy to use. Check out this video tutorial: http://vimeo.com/78411980 . You can also read over this pdf cheat sheet!

7. Think about the mood of your book. What kind of music would complement your book? Should your trailer include upbeat and fast paced music or is your book more serious? Should the music be slow and dark? What kind of sound effects would be important in telling your story? Make sure your trailer includes music, sound effects, and your voice shows expression. Remember others will hear your trailer. Try using a new source for your music. Checkout this list! Encourage your students to cite their sources. Learn more with this quick brochure!

8. Does your trailer satisfy the assignment rubric? Review your trailer and compare it with the assignment rubric. Be careful not to give the ending away! Plus, when you share your opinion of the book, support your opinion with facts or quotes from the book.

9. If you are satisfied with your work, it is time to upload it to Vimeo . You will get these directions in class. You will need to install this free app first, enter the username and password for the account and sign in.

10. The last step is to present your work from Critic's Corner to your class! Remember to make eye contact and use a nice loud voice during your presentation. Your peers will have questions for you, so be prepared!

Homework: If you need more time to complete your HRRB 25 questions that is not a problem. Please email jrearley@liberty.k12.ga.us your completed questions by September 30th.

Please evaluate this course: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/399LR3T.