Project Based Learning Opportunities
Each month you will be responsible for completing the outlined mini project. These projects are meant to not only give you a chance to expand upon your comprehension of the learning standards we cover in class but do so using great literary pieces. Ultimately, these mini projects will work to not only broaden your minds when it comes to literary but also challenge the way you look at classic literary works of art.
*A copy of all the readings and assignments are available in the classroom in the Project Based Learning Opportunities filing bins.
September
Creative Writing Project-ABC Book about Me
As a creative writing month project, this month you are required to create an ABC book about yourself. It will be kind of like an autobiography! Use your imagination, your creativity, and your best writing skills. This is a major assignment in this class, so make sure and do your best work.
Requirements:
• Cover page – you can use construction paper, laminated paper, or cut poster board for the cover. Whatever you decide, your cover page must be firmer than the rest of the pages in some way. Your cover page needs a title. Your cover page needs a photo of yourself (preferable) or a drawing of yourself. Put your name on the cover page as the author!
• Use one sheet of paper for each letter of the alphabet. Draw the letter in the upper right-hand corner of the sheet. Color it and make it look good. It should be larger than the rest of the writing on the page. Underneath the letter or off to the side, write: A is for __________. For example, A is for Alaska (if you were born in Alaska).
• Write one paragraph that explains something about you in relation to each letter of the alphabet (A – Z). For example, if you wrote “A is for Alaska”; write one paragraph that explains what Alaska has to do with you. Inform the reader!
• Include a picture or drawing on that sheet of paper. You can type and then glue information onto the sheet (like scrap booking), you can use an actual photo of yourself, you can paste a picture from the Internet or magazines or you can draw it yourself. Each page must have a corresponding picture!
• Use the same kind of paper as you used for the cover page for your last blank page. The last page needs to be blank and firm like the cover page. You can punch holes in
the book and then thread ribbon through the holes to tie it together, you can staple it, or you can bind it. (Office Max will bind your book for a small fee, if you want to do
that).
Total project worth 100 points
Cover page & back page – 10 points.
Each page after that worth 3 points (3 X 26 letters = 78)
12 points for overall neatness and creativity
Due during the last week of the month.
October
Alice in Wonderland-A Cross Examination of History and Literature
Directions: Subsequent to your reading of Alice in Wonderland, select one of the two mini research topic to write about. Your mini research should be a total of four paragraphs (introduction, two body paragraphs, and one conclusion). You are to also have a reference sheet that lists all the websites and resources you pulled your information from.
- Research nineteenth-century Oxford, during the time Carroll lived. What events and traditions are typical? How did Carroll weave them into the novel?
- The King and Queen of Hearts manage the kingdom of Wonderland. Describe how their roles mirror the practices of 19th-century England and Carroll's traditional upbringing.
Alice in Wonderland Text
http://www.the-office.com/bedtime-story/classics-aliceinwonderland.htm
November
Cask of Amontillado Text
https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/the_cask_of_amontillado.pdf
Reading Journal
Directions: While reading the story, interact with the text through making meaningful responses to the text. Create a two column chart that has eight rows. The first column should be labeled Direct Quote and Page Number. For the rows beneath this column you will select and write direct quotes from the text that you felt stood as examples where the author created a moment of important to the greater plot and theme of the literary piece. For example, a pinnacle moment in the plot, a moment of foreshadow, a moment that depicts a characters true intentions, or a plot twist. Remember to use quotation marks around the text and when citing the quotation to Use author’s last name and page number in parenthesis after each selected quote. In the second column you are going to title it Quote Significance/Response. In this column you will explain not on the significance of the selected quote, but your response to that moment in the literary piece.
*Remember, you are to find eight quotes/moments in total.
Example:
|
Direct Quote and Page Number. |
Quote Significance/Response |
|
“He did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation” (Poe 59). |
I predict that the narrator will harm Fortunado based on this quote from the story. The connotation of the word now as used on page 59 leads me to believe that while the author is thinking of hurting Fortunado, he does not suspect what will happen later in the plot. This connotation creates a sneaky tone from the author which leads the reader to believe that the narrator will harm Fortunado in some way later on. This can also be seen from the word choice used specifically with “immolation” which means death or destruction. |
*Use the example to set a standard for responses. Your responses should be substantial in quality and quantity. Pay close attention to proper citations.
Due to the holiday break, there will be NO project assigned for the month of December. Enjoy the quality family time!
January/February
Re-imagine your favorite story. Take an old legend or fairy tale and give it a modern twist.
- Start with an outline. This outline is to be a detailed brainstorm of the fairy tale selection you have chosen and the direction you want to take it in. Since this is a creative writing piece, I am not requiring a formal outline for the class, however require you to have the following information outlined for review:
-Fairy tale selection
-1-2 paragraph detailing the direction your story will follow. What are the changes you plan on make on the tale to allow for it classify as a modern day twist.
-The literary category you plan on changing this tale to-short story, novel or screenplay.
- Turn your outline in by Friday, January 19th for approval. All outlines will be returned by Friday, January 26th with teacher feedback. If your outline requires additional work before receiving an approval, you can request a teacher-student conference for a time during January 29th-Feburary 2nd.
Final project due Wednesday, February 28th, 2018.
March-April
Get ready for your FSA! Do your best and demonstrate how wonderful and intelligent you are!