Grade 9 Regents Summer Reading (Extra Credit Assignment) –

Due Date: Friday, Sept. 4, 2026

Assignment Overview: This summer, you have the opportunity to earn extra credit by reading one book of your choice and completing a Bento Box Book Project. Reading something you enjoy is a great way to stay sharp over the summer—plus, this is an easy way to boost your grade right from the start! 

What is a Bento Box? Bento is a Japanese word meaning lunchbox. The lunchbox includes a variety of different foods:

 

What is a Book Bento Box? A Book Bento Box is a creative reading assignment that takes the idea of a variety of objects arranged in an aesthetically pleasing way. This project asks you to visually represent a book using a flat-lay arrangement of objects—like items packed neatly in a “bento box.” It combines literary analysis with visual storyte ling. Your task is to gather objects that symbolize important elements of the text. These items are arranged in a square or grid and photographed from above:

 

 

Directions:

1. Choose five artifacts to surround the book. These artifacts should be connected to the novel and important to the story. You can use real artifacts you find at home, draw artifacts, or print pictures of artifacts. But remember, they should be vivid in color and interesting to look at.

2. As you choose your artifacts, you will write one paragraph per artifact. Each paragraph should include:

• Why you chose the artifact
• How the artifact is connected to the story
• Why the artifact is important to the story
• Be sure to use evidence from the text to support your reasoning!

3. After you have gathered all your artifacts and written your five paragraphs, take a picture! The book should be in the middle and the artifacts should surround it. Feel free to use a colorful background, but it should not distract from the artifacts and book.

Rubric:

Category	Exemplary (Full Points)	Proficient	Developing	Beginning
Artifact Selection (5 points)	Five artifacts are carefully chosen, highly relevant, and strongly connected to key events, characters, or themes of the story. Choices show deep thought and creativity.	Five artifacts are relevant and connected to the story. Choices show good thought.	Fewer than five artifacts OR some artifacts are only loosely connected to the story. Choices show limited thought.	Artifacts are missing, random, or unrelated to the story.
Artifact Writing (5 points)	Each paragraph clearly explains why the artifact was chosen, how it is connected to the story, and why it is important. Text evidence is used effectively in all five paragraphs.	Each paragraph explains most of the required elements and uses some text evidence.	Some paragraphs are missing one of the required elements or do not include text evidence.	Few or no paragraphs are complete. Little or no explanation is given.
Visual Presentation (5 points)	Artifacts are arranged neatly around the book, with a colorful but non-distracting background. Photo is clear and visually appealing. Layout enhances understanding of the book.	Artifacts are arranged neatly. Background and photo are clear and easy to see.	Arrangement is messy or difficult to see. Background is distracting or photo is unclear.	No photo submitted OR photo does not follow directions.
Mechanics & Conventions (3 points)	Writing has no grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Sentences are clear and well-written.	Writing has a few small errors that do not affect understanding.	Writing has several noticeable errors that affect readability.	Writing has many errors, making it difficult to understand.
Creativity & Effort (2 points)	Project shows outstanding effort and creativity. Artifacts and presentation are thoughtful and engaging.	Project shows good effort and some creativity.	Project shows minimal effort or creativity.	Project is incomplete or shows little to no effort.