Super Book Fan
Can A Book Be Judged by Its Cover?
A WebQuest for High Intermediate to Advanced Young Adults
(English Reading)
Designed by Mei-Ya Liang
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits
Introduction
Have you ever shared your favorite book with your friends? What appealed to you when reading the story? Did your friends have the same feeling after reading the book? In this annual “Super Book Fan” contest, you will share some English e-books with your friends and learn how to read an e-story for pleasure and appreciate it. In order to win the contest, you need to form a group of three and finish three tasks in a week. The winning group will be awarded an Electronic Gift Card in the amount of $1,000.
Tasks
The three tasks are:
These tasks require you to compete and collaborate with your peers and make good use of web-based sources. You will be provided with some tips to efficiently achieve the goal of each task. Of course, you can also find your own ways to survive from the reading tasks and win the contest.
Process
Task 1: Choose Your Books! (Day 1)
Take a look at the list of 10 e-books and check out these books on the web. You are required to vote for your favorite book and write down the reason why you choose this book. The three books which get the most votes will become the assigned books for you all to read. Please cast your vote by 8:00 am on Day 2 in the online poll. (Tips for Task 1)
Task 2: Share Your Books! (Day 2)
Your group of three will read these three e-books as a team. Your group is required to (1) type a summary report of the three stories (300 words at most) and (2) comment on the other group's book reports. Your group will write your report and give feedback to the other groups' reports based on the story elements of title, setting, characters, problems, major events and conclusion. Post your group report by 8:00 am on Day 5. Give feedback to the other groups by 8:00 pm on Day 5. (Tips for Task 2)
Task 3: Evaluate Your Books! (Day 5)
Read the Newbery Medal and Carnegie Medal criteria for outstanding books and then evaluate the three books referring to their criteria or the standards you develop. Your group is required to rank these three books: the first, second and third place, and write a group report to state the reason why you judged them the way you did (300 words at most). Post your group report by 8:00 am on Day 7. A panel of judges will evaluate your report for its originality of insight, clarity of narration, application of criteria, strength of argument and use of language. See evaluation below. The announcement of the winning group will be posted by 5:00 pm on Day 7. (Tips for Task 3)
A thank-you note
Who
has contributed a great deal of information to the team? Who has always respected
your viewpoints? Who has performed all duties and shared the responsibility?
Send a
thank-you note to your teammates.
(Tips
for writing a thank-you note)
Evaluation
Your final group report will be evaluated for its originality of insight, application of criteria, clarity of narration, strength of argument and use of language.
| Points for each criterion |
1 beginning |
2 developing |
3 excellent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Originality of insight | The insight is limited. | The insight is accurate and clever. | The insight can enlarge the audience's vision. |
| Application of criteria | The criteria are not acceptable for these books. | The criteria are suitable for these books. | The criteria are not only suitable for these books but also applicable to other narrative texts. |
| Clarity of narration | The narration is not correct or appropriate. | The narration is correct and complete. | The narration is clear and informative . |
| Strength of argument | The argument is not logical or sensible. | The argument is reasonable but still has flaws. | The argument is very convincing. |
| Use of language | More than three mistakes in spelling and grammar, and an inappropriate writing style. | One or two grammar and spelling errors and an appropriate choice of language. | No mistakes in grammar or spelling and a rich and imaginative use of language. |
Conclusion
By now you must have experienced the surprise and pleasure of online reading. Did you and your friends feel the hot and the fresh in the books read? Can you decide what to taste and what to digest among a circle of friends? What is your next book to read and to share?
Credits & References
Web-resources:
Booker High School: how to write a thank-you note
Carnegie
Medal: criteria for outstanding books
Education World: a story map worksheet
Hallmark.com: e-cards
Intervention Center: an advanced story map worksheet
Newbery Medal: criteria for outstanding books
Tapped In Campus: chat
rooms
UCLA College Library:
criteria for evaluating web
resources
Winthrop Center: the classic
argument
Yahoo.com.tw: on-line poll, forums and web
space
A list of e-books for young
adults:
Banph
Bikesters
Blow
Out the Moon
Josie
Has A Secret
Kamran
and Mapa
Oobistories
The
Adventure of Sydney
The
Amazing Fantasy Adventures of Meagan & Kate
The
Three Princesses
Walks
the Red Dog
The picture "A Little Boy and A Little Girl" is illustrated by Mary Engelbreit. From Hans Christian Andersen (1993). The Snow Queen. Workman Publishing.
Based on a template from The WebQuest Page