Independent Novel Study

ASSIGNMENT 5: Final Project

Learning Target (Curricular Competencies):

  • Respond to text in personal, creative, and critical ways
  • Apply appropriate strategies to comprehend written, oral, visual, and multimodal texts
  • Use writing and design processes to plan, develop, and create engaging and meaningful texts for a variety of purposes and audiences

Task:

NOVEL TIC-TAC-TOE

Select and complete TWO activities from two different horizontal rows (character, setting, theme) to help you and others think about your novel.  Remember to make your work thoughtful, original, accurate, and detailed. Use quotations from your novel to support your analysis.  As well, use visuals to enhance your final presentation.  You might consider using graphic organizers from the folder at the top of the course as part of your visual presentation.  You only need to do TWO of the activities in total.

Character

Character Astrology Signs.

After reading brief descriptions of the astrology or sun signs, figure out which signs you think three of the main characters from your book were born under. Write an explanation of why you think they fit the sign, drawing on their actions attitudes and thoughts from the book.

Awards.

Create an award for each of the main characters based on their actions in the novel. One might be awarded "most courageous" for fighting under peer pressure for example. For each award, write a paragraph that explains why this character deserves this award.

Tangible or Intangible Gifts.

Select a character and figure out what two or three things you believe your character most needs or wants. Draw or cut out pictures to represent these "gifts" and write your character an explanation of why you picked these things out for him or her.

Setting

Alternate Setting.

Imagine an alternative setting for your novel. It could be different places or periods time. Choose three different points in the novel. For each one describe the new setting, and how it changes the story and why you chose to change it.

Map Out the Story.

Create a visual overview of places visited in the novel. Include a legend or key explaining each place included and why it is important.

Oral Reading

Record yourself reading three passages that include a description of the setting that reflect a certain tone. The tone of the passage should be reflected in how you read it. At the end of each passage include the page and describe the tone you think is being conveyed.

Theme

Book Cover

Create a book cover that portrays a main theme in the novel. You might use symbols, pictures, quotes etc. Include an inside cover summary of the novel that discusses the theme.

Poster or Infographic

Your title will be a theme statement about the novel. Include the title and author of the novel. Then choose several phrases out of the book that best illustrate the theme and organize them attractively

Connections

Themes are often universal and found in many different sources. Find 5 different connections (to another text, to a personal connection, to another medium like a movie or song or to a current event) around a theme. Explain each one specifically.

 

Suggestions for Software

Below are some tools you could use for your Final Project. Consider using one of the online options because these options make it easier for you to upload your Project to your teacher.

  • Prezi - Prezi is an online presentation tool that helps you organize and share your ideas.
  • Google Presentation - Part of the Google Docs family of web applications, this presentation tool allows you to import PowerPoint  or OpenOffice presentations as well as creating new ones from scratch. It also allows you to export your presentations as PowerPoint or .pdf file
  • Zoho Show - Zoho Show is an online presentation tool that helps you to create and deliver presentations. You can now take your presentations wherever you go, apply new ideas instantly, review, edit, share and deliver presentations on the go.
  • Open Office Impress - Impress is part of the FREE Open Office suite of productivity tools (similar to Microsoft Office but FREE!) and is a truly outstanding tool for creating effective multimedia presentations. 

Assessment:  Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.  

Learning Target: (Exemplary 6/6): Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective.  Student demonstrates exemplary active reading skills to comprehend and respond to text in personal, creative, and critical ways.  Text references and ideas generated are thoughtful and unique. Project displays an exemplary understanding of plot, characters, and setting.

Content and Organization:  (Exemplary 6/6):  Content contributes to the central idea and makes insightful connections.  Exceptional organizational structure.  Project demonstrates a clear understanding of the novel's development of plot, characters, setting.  There is a thoroughly developed sequence of events or time order that engages the reader and moves to a powerful conclusion.

Written Expression:  Exemplary (6/6):  Sentence structure and vocabulary are varied, skillfully written, and carefully chosen.  Work has been proofread and there are few or no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. 

Overall Presentation:  Exemplary (6/6):  The creative presentation adds to the content and shows evidence of outstanding effort and imagination.  Products show exemplary original thought and insight.  Ideas are clearly presented and visually effective.

Submission:

Use the "5.5 FINAL PROJECT:  Novel Study" link on the main page of this section of the course to upload your assignment to your teacher for marking.