Book Talk Outline

November/December 2008 – Mr. Hrymak’s Class

Dear Homeroom Parents,

This week, students will choose books for their next book talk presentation. Students will meet with Ms. Morris, our Media Specialist. Ms. Morris has just received a large variety of fantasy books, so we’ll go with that genre this time around.

As was the case with the last book talk, much of the preparation and practice will take place at home. Students will be given about 2 weeks to read and prepare for their book talk. Book talks will be presented just after the Thanksgiving break, during the week of December 1 – 5. Students will need to sign up for a presentation day as soon as possible. We will continually review the book talk process in class.

What Is A Book Talk?

A book talk is a speech telling about a book that the student has read. In this speech, the student will be expected to provide the following information:

· An Attention Getter - This could be a question to get the audience's attention, reading from part of the story, dressing up as the main character and presenting the book talk as that character, etc. Be creative!

· Name of the book and the author

· Setting - Where and when it takes place

· Main character(s) and a brief description of each

· Problem and/or situation - if it applies. Sometime it will not apply, but let us know.

· A brief description of the basic plot without giving away the ending

· *For this particular book talk genre, you will need to tell your audience whether thhe book is fantasy or science fiction, and why? What elements of the story made it fantasy or science fiction?

· Questions to make the audience think about the book

· A recommendation and why - "I think the book was _________________ because _______________________________..." Be sure to support your recommendation with details and specific examples from the book. Do not provide a 1 – 10 rating scale and consider that to be a recommendation.

The elements that make up a good oral presentation will also be stressed in class. Students should demonstrate the following skills when presenting their book talk:

· Look at the audience, not the teacher. (Do not read directly from note cards all of the time.)

· Speak loudly.

· Speak clearly and smoothly.

· Learn your words and practice pronouncing the words correctly.

· Stand correctly. Please don’t rock back and forth or sway. The teacher will get dizzy!

· Speak for at least one minute but for no longer than three minutes.

· Be prepared! – Students should know what they are going to say. Practice the speech in front of family and/or friends or a mirror. Present it in an organized manner. Follow the outline and you should be just fine.

· *Students may use note cards to help them organize their work and ideas!* But remember, students may not stand and read the entire book talk from note cards.

Once again, before a student finishes reading their book, they should sign up for a date to present their book talk. The best time to sign up is during the second recess. All book talks need to be completed by Friday, December 5.