I. Read a novel (200-250 pages) and complete a "Reader's Response Journal" following each chapter. Each entry will include a brief summary, as well as your own thoughts and reactions with:

1. Quotes that trigger your ideas.

2. Questions that you may have.

3. A prediction about what is to come.

4. Comments about meanings/themes.

5. Insights and emotional responses.

The final entry should be a typed 3-page final analysis of the book, including a plot summary and your ideas about the meaning of the story and characters, the theme (reason the story is being told), and a criticism of the book as a whole (positive and negative reactions). This collection will be worth .25 credit.

II. Choose one general topic or subject area (examples: politics, sports, entertainment, etc.). Try to pick a topic that you think will stay in the news for the next few weeks. Over the course of the next six weeks, you will keep an ongoing coverage of this topic by writing 3 newspaper articles each week based on the events and occurrences in that subject area. The articles should be typed, must be at least a half page each, and must include a short key-word heading. You must use the media (newspaper, television, Internet, etc.) for information; however, do not simply copy these word-for-word. You should be creative and tell the news from your point of view. This project will be worth .5 credit. You should start this project immediately.

III. Your final option is to fill a 70-page notebook with a variety of creative writing entries. This can include:

1. Poetry (written by you).

2. Short stories (written by you).

3. Biographical or Autobiographical sketches.

4. Song lyrics (written by you).

5. Any of the above, not written by you, with proper attribution.

6. Quotations , with proper attribution.

Each full notebook will be worth .5 credit

You may submit .5 credits of independent study per quarter.

Be sure to label your project with your name and the amount of credit you are attempting to earn.

All projects are due one week before the end of the term. To receive credit for any independent study project, you must receive a passing grade for the classroom sessions.

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