Booktalk: Multicultural or Classic Book

Read a classic or multicultural book on your reading level (notice it did not say review a book you've already read--smile). There were titles listed on the back of the booktalk sheet you received the first day of the term.  You will find books on the classroom bookshelves, in the media center, at the public library, and in bookstores. Here are some web sites that will give you some help: Middle School Classics,  Classics List, and Multi-cultural Literature

You have received a booktalk sheet which spells out exactly how the booktalk will be graded. Be sure to use it as you plan your booktalk. You project should augment your talk, not be something just added on at the end. It is similar to visuals used in business presentations, but probably more creative as I encourage students to be as creative as possible and try to stay away from poster-type projects since you've been doing those for a long time and it's good to try new things. Some of the best projects in the past have been videotaped skits acting out part of the story, refreshments that match the book like stawberries for Strawberry Girl, dressing up as a character in the book and telling the story from the character's viewpoint, puppets, dioramas with moving parts, videotaped game show formats designed to give information about the story, audio-taped book interview radio show, books in a bag with beautifully decorated bags, and so on. I know this class is especially creative so we will probably have even better projects than these this year.

The important thing to remember about doing a booktalk is not to wait until the last minute to read your book. You want to time to change books if you become disinterested because it is difficult to give a good booktalk on a book you didn't enjoy. Also, you'll need time to read the book, prepare what you are going to say, practice what you are going to say, and prepare a project. This is not a one night assignment (smile)

• Eye contact with audience
• No distracting mannerisms
• Voice, loud and clear
• Voice natural, not sounding memorized
• Report spoken, not read

• Tell title and author
• Show book
• Tell why you think it has endured the test of time if it is a classic and what you learned about the culture if it is multicultural
• Good summary of the book
• Tell most interesting parts; motivate others to want to read your book
• Clear to audience entire book read

• Unique (different, new, unusual)
• Creative
• Appropriatefor the book
• Effort is apparent in final product
• Incorporated into booktalk; not "whipped out" at end

• Able to answer at least two questions from the audience

• Lose five points every time not paying attention to classmates' presentations. Given after all presentations.
  
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