Grade 4 – Independent Reading Project
Brown Paper Bag Reading Assignment
During our last quarter, you will read the book assigned to you as part of our Independent Reading Project.
You will be completing a paper bag book report as an assessment for this novel/story.
On the Outside….
For this book report, you must consider each the following: setting, plot, main character, and theme.
There are four panels on a paper bag. You will be expected to use one panel of your brown paper bag for each of these four elements. The information for each panel must be neatly written or typed on a small piece of paper and glued or taped to the bag. You won’t need any more than a paragraph or so for each panel.
Front : BOOK TITLE and AUTHOR
- Drawing/Illustration/Photo
Side 1: CHARACTERS
- Who are the main characters in the story? Give a written description for each character.
- Lists of Character traits, including physical traits (what did they look like?)
Back: SUMMARY
- Write a summary of the main events in the story.
- You must summarize the story in a few sentences – keep it short and sweet. Many times, this is more difficult than writing a lengthy description.
- Include only the important parts.
- How did you enjoy the book? Why or why not? Would you recommend it? How many stars would you give it?
- Remember to add your name here.
Side 2: SETTING
- Where does the story take place? What is the importance of the setting?
- Illustration/drawing/photograph of setting
On the Inside…
You must include 5 items in your bag that have some significance to the story. Be imaginative…Think outside of the box. You can use toys, modeling clay, or anything else that may represent something important from the story. Make sure each item that you pick is unique and include a few sentences explaining why you choose this item and how it relates to the book.
You will be expected to share your book report with the class (inside and out) and will be marked on: inclusion of the setting, plot, major character, theme and conventions (for the outside of the bag), your five items inside the bag and your overall speaking/listening skills during the presentation. This will give you a total mark out of 25 for this book report.
Have fun and do your best!
Name: ____________________ Date:_____________
Paper Bag Book Report Rubric
| Category | 4 – Excellent | 3 – Good | 2 – Fair | 1 – Inadequate |
| Setting | Includes ALL settings and times that were important to the book, as well as an appropriate illustration | Includes most of settings and times that were important to the book, as well as an appropriate illustration | Includes either some settings and times that were important to the book or an appropriate illustration | Includes incorrect or incomplete settings/times and/or an incomplete illustration |
| Plot | Includes ALL key events to story, without retelling the entire book; includes only the most necessary information | Includes most key events to story, without retelling the entire book; includes only the most necessary information | Includes some key events to story, but excludes other important events | Includes an inadequate explanation of the plot, excluding many of the key events |
| Main Character | Includes ALL important information about the main character (including how s/he changed over the course of the story, as well as the more obvious character traits)
ALSO, names ALL other major and minor characters that were discussed in the story |
Includes most important information about the main character (including how s/he changed over the course of the story, as well as the more obvious character traits)
ALSO, names most/all other major and minor characters that were discussed in the story |
Includes some important information about the main character, but excludes other
Information
ALSO, names some other major and minor characters that were discussed in the story |
Includes little important information about the main character OR chooses a minor character rather than the main character
May or may not include other major and minor characters that were discussed in the story |
| Theme | Includes a complete description of the theme(s) of the book AND a well explained personal opinion concerning the theme(s) | Includes a good description of the theme(s) of the book AND a well explained personal opinion concerning the theme(s) | Includes some information about the theme(s) of the book, but omits the personal opinion about the theme(s) | Includes incomplete/ inaccurate information about the theme(s) and may or may not include an opinion about the theme(s) |
| Conventions | All spelling and punctuation is correct; title, author and name are included | Most spelling and punctuation is correct; title, author and name are included | There are many errors with conventions; title, author and name are included | There are multiple errors with conventions; key information missing |
Total: ________
*** On the Inside: Students will receive one mark for each unique item that they have included inside the paper bags for a total of 10 marks (Be sure to label each with a sentence strip)
Total: ________
Name: _____________________________ Date: ___________________
Oral Presentation Rubric
| Category | 4 – Excellent | 3 – Good | 2 – Fair | 1 – Inadequate |
| Eye contact | Maintained excellent eye contact for the entire presentation | Maintained good eye contact for the entire presentation | Maintained some eye contact during the presentation | Avoided eye contact |
| Confidence and Preparation | Showed a high level of confidence and was ready to present | Showed some confidence and was ready to present | Was not ready to present, but was somewhat confident without preparation | Lacked confidence; wasn’t ready to present |
| Volume of Voice | Appropriate volume and tone of voice for the entire presentation | Appropriate volume and tone of voice for most of the presentation | Appropriate volume and tone of voice after intervention from the teacher | Inappropriate volume/tone of voice even after intervention from the teacher |
| Active Listening | Listened actively for ALL of the presenters | Listened actively for most of the presenters | Listened actively for some of the presenters | Had to be asked to listen more actively |
| Appropriate Questions/Comments | Asked more than one question/ comment during the presentations | Asked one question/comment during the presentations | Did not volunteer a question/ comment during the presentations | Asked inappropriate question/off topic comment |
Total: ________