Exceeds Standards – A

Meets Standards – B

Progressing – C

Below Standards – F

5”x5” original cover accurately and artistically reflects the setting, theme, or tone of the novel.

5”x5” original cover clearly reflects the setting, theme, or tone of the novel.

5”x5” cover attempts but does not clearly reflect setting, theme, or tone of novel; may not be original.

5”x5” cover does not reflect setting, theme, or tone of the novel; is not original work.

Includes 12 original song titles that create a vivid picture of the conflict, events, theme or ideas of the novel.

Includes 12 original song titles that clearly represent the conflict, events, theme, or ideas of the novel.

Missing some song titles

Titles don’t reflect conflict, events, theme, or ideas of the novel.

Missing many titles

Titles are not related to conflict, events, themes, or ideas of the novel.

Song lyrics (3 verses and 2 choruses) for two titles poetically but clearly communicate important events or ideas in the novel.

Song lyrics (3 verses and 2 choruses) for two titles clearly communicate important events or ideas in the novel.

Songs do not include 3 verses and 2 choruses; do not communicate important events or ideas in the novel.

Song doesn’t include verses and choruses, lyrics are not related to events in the novel.

Cover, titles, and lyrics show insight to the novel.

Cover, titles, and lyrics show understanding of the novel.

Cover, titles, and lyrics show little understanding of the novel.

Cover, titles, and lyrics show no understanding of the novel.

Overall project demonstrates great effort and higher level thinking.

Overall project demonstrates good effort and some higher level thinking.

Overall project demonstrates little effort and thought.

Overall project demonstrates no effort or thought.

Exceeds Standards – A

Meets Standards – B

Progressing – C

Below Standards – F

Includes 10 or more different pictures on 8 ½  x 11 paper; entire paper is covered with images and has no white space

Includes 8 to 9 different pictures on 8 ½  x 11 paper; very few sections of white space

Includes 6 to 7 different pictures on 8 ½  x 11 paper; space is not maximized and white spaces are noticeable

Includes 5 or less different pictures on 8 ½  x 11 paper; large sections of white space

Images are symbolic and arranged to show insight of the novel; message is artfully and skillfully communicated

Images demonstrate an understanding of the novel; pictures are intentionally arranged and express meaning

Images are vague and show superficial understanding of the novel; attempts to arrange images but message is not communicated

Images show little or no understanding of the novel; images are randomly and haphazardly placed

Graphics or objects reflect an exceptional degree of student creativity

Graphics or objects reflect a sufficient degree of student creativity

Graphics or objects reflect some degree of student creativity

Graphics or objects reflect very little or no degree of student creativity

Uses no words, letters, or numbers

Uses an occasional word, letter, or number, but it is not the focus, only an enhancement to the images

Often relies on words, letters, or numbers to convey meaning

Meaning and understanding of montage is dependent on use of words, letters, or numbers

Demonstrates considerable attention to construction; items are neatly trimmed and carefully and securely attached to backing

Demonstrates some attention to construction; items are trimmed and firmly attached to backing

Demonstrates very little attention to construction; items are carelessly cut and attached to backing

Demonstrates no attention to construction; items are torn or crumpled and are falling off

No stray marks, smudges, or glue stains

Occasional stray mark, smudge, or glue stain, but does not distract from message

Frequent stray marks, smudges, or glue stains deflect  message

Stray marks, smudges, or glue stains obstruct meaning of message

Written response (on a separate sheet of paper) gives perceptive explanation of how every item in the montage is related to the literary elements of the novel (theme, conflict, characters, setting, etc.). For most items, the relationship is clear without explanation.

Written response (on a separate sheet of paper) gives reasonable explanation of how most items in the montage are related to the literary elements of the novel.  For a couple of items, relationship is clear without explanation.

Written response (on a separate sheet of paper) gives inadequate explanation of how items relate to the literary elements of the novel and the meaning of some images are unclear

Written response (on a separate sheet of paper) does not explain the significance of images; response is incomplete or missing.

Exceeds Standards – A

Meets Standards – B

Progressing – C

Below Standards – F

500+ word count; typed; 12pt. font; double-spaced

400+ word count; typed; 12pt. font; double-spaced

300+ word count; typed; 12pt. font; double-spaced

250 or less word count; written in pen or pencil; single-spaced

Thoroughly and accurately discusses three of the five literary elements.

Adequately discusses three of the five literary elements. Most information is accurate.

Briefly discusses three of the five literary elements; includes some inaccuracies.

Discusses two or less of the literary elements; includes many inaccuracies.

Uses effective and specific evidence from the text to support analysis.

Uses some evidence from the text to support analysis, but may not always be effective.

Uses only general examples from the text to support analysis; examples are at times ineffective.

Does not use details or evidence from the text to support analysis.

Analysis is insightful and goes beyond obvious observations or a superficial reading of the text.

Analysis demonstrates a good understanding and some insight of the text.

Analysis reads as more of a summary; observations are predictable and very general.

Does not provide an analysis of the text; includes only summary information; does not reflect an understanding of text.

Personal review includes discussion of like or dislike for the novel, recommendation, and rating.

Personal review states like or dislike for the novel, recommendation, and rating.

Personal review may be missing one of the requirements.

Personal review is very brief and not very helpful to other readers; is missing two or more requirements

Includes a copy of posting to web.

Includes a copy of posting to web.

Includes a copy of posting to web.

Does not include a copy of posting to web.

Exceeds Standards – A

Meets Standards – B

Progressing – C

Below Standards – F

·   Includes 4 or more pages of dialogue from an important scene in the novel.

·   Creative freedoms to alter the original text are used intentionally and effectively and do not alter the overall story line.

·   Any changes to the original text stay true to the author’s voice, tone, purpose, etc.

·   Includes 4 pages of dialogue from an important scene in the novel.

·   Alterations to the original text do not alter the overall story line in any major way.

·   For the most part, changes to the original text stay true to the author’s voice, tone, purpose, etc.

·   Includes 3 pages of dialogue from an important scene in the novel.

·   Alterations to the original text somewhat alter the overall story line

·   Changes to the original text do not always reflect the author’s voice, tone, purpose, etc.

·   Includes 2 or less pages of dialogue from an important scene in the novel.

·   Alterations to the original text alter the overall story line in a significant way

·   Changes to the original text do not reflect the author’s voice, tone, purpose, etc.

Several director’s notes (such as tone or voice expression, movements, positioning of people, etc.) are included in the margins and provide a clear picture in the reader’s mind

Some director’s notes (such as tone or voice expression, movements, positioning of people, etc.) are included in the margins and provide a picture in the reader’s mind

A few director’s notes (such as tone or voice expression, movements, positioning of people, etc.) are included in the margins but provide a limited picture in the reader’s mind

Very few or no director’s notes (such as tone or voice expression, movements, positioning of people, etc.) are included in the margins and do not provide a picture in the reader’s mind

·   Includes a thorough explanation of the set up of the stage or the camera angles with each new scene or perspective

·   A visual diagram is included that illustrates the setup for each scene

·   Specific details are included about props used, clothing worn, lighting or setting of scene.

·   Includes a brief explanation of the set up of the stage or the camera angles with most new scenes or perspectives

·   A visual diagram is included that displays the setup for most scenes

·   Some details are included about props used, clothing worn, lighting or setting of scene.

·   Includes a brief explanation of the set up of the stage or the camera angles of one scene

·   A basic diagram is included that displays the setup for one scene

·   Few details are included about props used, clothing worn, lighting or setting of scene.

·   Does not include an explanation of the set up of the stage or the camera angles of any scene

·   A diagram of the setup is not included

·   No details are included about props used, clothing worn, lighting or setting of scene.

Casting wish list includes a celebrity for every role in the screenplay and a discussion of why each celebrity best fits the role

Casting wish list includes a celebrity for most every role in the screenplay and a brief discussion of why each celebrity best fits the role

Casting wish list includes a celebrity for only a couple of roles in the screenplay and little to no discussion of why each celebrity best fits the role

Casting wish list includes unknowns or is not included. No discussion of why each person was selected for the role.

Text is typed, double-spaced, 12pt font, and with 2” margins

Text is typed, double-spaced, 12pt font, and with 2” margins

Text is typed, single-spaced, 12pt font, and with slightly smaller or larger than 2” margins

Text is not typed, font is difficult to read, and margins are too small or too big.

Exceeds Standards – A

Meets Standards – B

Progressing – C

Below Standards – F

Includes an introductory activity that peaks students’ interest in the novel and introduces students to main idea(s) of text

Includes an introductory activity related to the novel

Includes an introductory activity loosely related to novel; lacks creativity

Introductory activity is not related to novel; missing

Provides interesting and relevant background information about novel, author, time period, etc. in an interesting and creative format

Provides general background information about novel, author, time period, etc. in an organized format

Provides general background information about novel, author, time period, etc. but is not clearly organized in any way

Provides very little or no background information about novel, author, time period, etc.

·   Includes clear and complete directions for three during reading activities

·   Activities require an in-depth study of an important aspect of the novel and require a higher level of critical thought

·   Includes any required handouts

·   Includes directions for three during reading activities

·   Activities help clarify or better understand an important aspect of the novel and require critical thinking

·   Includes any required handouts

·   Includes three during reading activities but does not have directions

·   Activities are simplistic and require very little thought

·   Includes required handouts but unclear as to how they fit with assignment

·   Includes less than three during reading activities

·   Activities do not require thought (busywork) and are loosely related to novel

·   Does not include any required handouts

·   Comprehensive test requires higher level, critical thinking (not just recall or knowledge level questions) and includes a complex essay response question.

·   Various types of questions relate to plot, characters, theme(s), etc.

·   Includes an answer key (essay questions include an essay response)

·   Comprehensive test requires some critical thinking and includes some short answer questions or an essay response question.

·   Questions relate to plot, characters, theme(s), etc.

·   Includes an answer key (essay questions include an essay response, but response may be lacking)

·   Test is unbalanced with most of the focus on plot and requires little critical thinking

·   Short answer or essay response question lacks depth

·   Questions lack variety and tend to focus only on one literary element

·   Includes an answer key for only part of the test

·   Test is not comprehensive and has only recall or knowledge level questions

·   Test does not include any short answer or essay questions

·   Questions are very limited and focused on trivial facts from the novel.

·   Does not include an answer key.

Exceeds Standards – A

Meets Standards – B

Progressing – C

Below Standards – F

Masthead is creative and intriguing and clearly represents a plot element from the novel.

Masthead is clearly represents a plot element from the novel.

Masthead attempts to symbolize a plot element from the novel.

Masthead is simply the title of the novel or is not related to the novel.

Lead story is 300 – 500 words in length and creatively reports the details of a key event in the novel.

Lead story is 250 – 300 words in length and reports the details of a key event in the novel.

Lead story is 150 – 250 words in length and summarizes an event in the most general terms

Lead story is less than 150 words in length and does not give important information about a key event

Includes two additional interesting and creative articles that relate to the characters, events, conflict, or theme of the novel (200 – 300 words in length)

Includes two additional articles that relate to the characters, events, conflict, or theme of the novel (150 – 200 words in length)

Includes two additional articles that loosely relate to the characters, events, conflict, or theme of the novel (100 – 150 words in length)

Includes only one or no additional articles; does not relate to the novel or provides very limited or general information (less than 100 words in length)

Editorial is 200 – 300 words in length and persuasively argues an opinion about an issue or event from the novel.

Editorial is 150 – 200 words in length and argues an opinion about an issue or event from the novel.

Editorial is 100 – 150 words in length and states an opinion about an issue or event from the novel but information is limited or general.

Editorial is less than 100 words in length and summarizes an issue or discusses an issue unrelated to the novel.

·   Provides 3 or more clear and interesting pictures that are connected to an article in the paper or share information about a character, place, or event in the novel.

·   Includes an interesting and relevant caption.

·   Provides 3 pictures that are connected to an article in the paper or share information about a character, place, or event in the novel.

·   Includes a related caption.

·   Provides 2 pictures that are loosely connected to an article in the paper or share information about a character, place, or event in the novel.

·   Caption is missing or not relevant.

·   Provides 1 or no pictures; may not be related to the novel.

·   Does not include a caption.

·   Includes one or more sections that add to and do not repeat the information already shared in the pictures and articles.

·   Demonstrates creativity and great effort.

·   Includes one other section that adds to and does not repeat the information already shared in the pictures and articles.

·   Demonstrates some creativity.

·   Includes one other section but information is repetitive of earlier articles and pictures

·   Demonstrates little creativity.

·   Includes one other section but is not related to the novel.

·   Demonstrates no creativity.