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Writing Projects
CONTENTS OF A CHARACTER'S POCKET: I was inspired to create this writing project after reading Jack Finney's "Contents of a Dead Man's Pocket". This is an excellent way to know that your student understands the characters in the story you are reading. After reading the story (or at any point along the way) have your student pick a character and make a list of the contents that character would carry in his/her pocket (or purse). For every item, the student needs to give an explanation justifying why it is significant to that character.
AND THEN WHAT...: This one actually contains two options. Originally, this writing project was to have the student come up with what happened after the story ended. It could be in general or just for a specific character. "They all lived happily ever after" is NOT an acceptable answer. ;-) The other option is for the student to write what happened before the story started. Again, it could be something in general about the whole story or it could focus on one character.
There have been some really interesting responses to these writing prompts. I'd love to hear about any you would like to share.
AND THEN WHAT...: This one actually contains two options. Originally, this writing project was to have the student come up with what happened after the story ended. It could be in general or just for a specific character. "They all lived happily ever after" is NOT an acceptable answer. ;-) The other option is for the student to write what happened before the story started. Again, it could be something in general about the whole story or it could focus on one character.
There have been some really interesting responses to these writing prompts. I'd love to hear about any you would like to share.
Teaching Packages
(in development... Once these packages are ready, they will be available for purchase via a separate website.)
The Basics: Each Basic Package will contain lesson plans, quizzes, enrichment ideas, and final projects... all available on CD or by download. If you feel comfortable leading your student through the novel but don't have the time to create the tests or projects, this is the perfect package for you. Answer keys and grading rubrics included.
The Video Guide: If literature is not your strong point and you want help teaching the novel, the Video Guide DVDs are exactly what you need. Just press play and exhale. I will (in full period costume) give an introduction to the novel and background information on the author. I will also guide your students through the entire novel chapter by chapter, give summaries, and group discussion opportunities. (There is rumor of a blooper feature, too!) Although I will guide the students through the entire novel, you- the teacher- still have the flexibility to structure the timing (how many chapters per day, when to give the tests, etc) as you see fit for your students.
The Enhancement Package: This package identifies many tie-in topics and gives suggestions for other areas of study. This is the ultimate cross-curriculum experience. As applicable, the topics of study will include Economics, Sociology, Civics, Science and/or History as related to the novel you have chosen.
Reel to Real: The Class: If your students like movies, this is an excellent supplement. It will come with a critical analysis of a movie of the book you have chosen to study. Once the students have completed the novel, let them watch the movie. Guide them through discussions and let them make their own critical analysis. Did the story suffer for the re-telling? Was it enhanced? Go as deep with it as they (and you) are willing to go. Prepare to be surprised by their observations!
I have deliberately avoided categorizing these packages by 'grade level'. I feel that you, as the teacher, are the best judge of the reading and comprehension level of your student. If you prefer a little guidance, I will gladly offer suggestions.
The following novels are on slate for development:
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The Odyssey by Homer
The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthrone
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stephenson
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson
Sweeney Todd or The String of Pearls by Anonymous
Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe
The Basics: Each Basic Package will contain lesson plans, quizzes, enrichment ideas, and final projects... all available on CD or by download. If you feel comfortable leading your student through the novel but don't have the time to create the tests or projects, this is the perfect package for you. Answer keys and grading rubrics included.
The Video Guide: If literature is not your strong point and you want help teaching the novel, the Video Guide DVDs are exactly what you need. Just press play and exhale. I will (in full period costume) give an introduction to the novel and background information on the author. I will also guide your students through the entire novel chapter by chapter, give summaries, and group discussion opportunities. (There is rumor of a blooper feature, too!) Although I will guide the students through the entire novel, you- the teacher- still have the flexibility to structure the timing (how many chapters per day, when to give the tests, etc) as you see fit for your students.
The Enhancement Package: This package identifies many tie-in topics and gives suggestions for other areas of study. This is the ultimate cross-curriculum experience. As applicable, the topics of study will include Economics, Sociology, Civics, Science and/or History as related to the novel you have chosen.
Reel to Real: The Class: If your students like movies, this is an excellent supplement. It will come with a critical analysis of a movie of the book you have chosen to study. Once the students have completed the novel, let them watch the movie. Guide them through discussions and let them make their own critical analysis. Did the story suffer for the re-telling? Was it enhanced? Go as deep with it as they (and you) are willing to go. Prepare to be surprised by their observations!
I have deliberately avoided categorizing these packages by 'grade level'. I feel that you, as the teacher, are the best judge of the reading and comprehension level of your student. If you prefer a little guidance, I will gladly offer suggestions.
The following novels are on slate for development:
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The Odyssey by Homer
The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthrone
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stephenson
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson
Sweeney Todd or The String of Pearls by Anonymous
Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe
Excellent Resources
www.khanacademy.com
Khan Academy is an excellent website! It contains hundreds of (How do I do this??) videos on many topics. Its main focus is Math (on every level) but it also offers helpful videos on many other topics from history to physics to finance. Students pick a video then follow along, all the while controlling the speed of the lesson. If they get lost, they can simply 'rewind' and watch it again. Although Literature to Life is focused on literature, an excellent resource is an excellent resource no matter what topic of study! Khan Academy is also a great place for the grown-ups to get a refresher course on stuff they haven't seen in 20 years yet are expected to remember come 'homework help' time.
www.prezi.com
Prezi is a presentation program like Powerpoint but waaaaaaay better!! A student once described Prezi saying "It's like Powerpoint drank too much Red Bull." Seeing is believing. You have got to check out this site if you do anything with student presentations on computer.
www.pbs.org/wnet/1900house/
PBS had a (sort of) reality series that took a modern-day family and set them in a house rebuilt to fit the early 1900's. The family was completely immersed in the Victorian time period, only having the amenities that would have been available to them during that time (from gas lights to paper dolls!). Aside from a cool show to watch, this website also offers lesson plans and projects for anyone willing to try their own hand at the 1900s lifestyle.
www.hungergameslessons.com
Why reinvent the wheel? This lady has everything Hunger Games! This website contains a mass of information ready for you and your students to absorb. Some of her pages include "Why Teach the Hunger Games?" "Teacher Examples" and "Lesson Catalog" There is also a ton of stuff about the movie versions. Very exciting! (I realize Hunger Games is not 'classic literature' but it's a very popular series and has great potential for incorporating other subjects and getting students involved. Besides, I really liked the books.)
Khan Academy is an excellent website! It contains hundreds of (How do I do this??) videos on many topics. Its main focus is Math (on every level) but it also offers helpful videos on many other topics from history to physics to finance. Students pick a video then follow along, all the while controlling the speed of the lesson. If they get lost, they can simply 'rewind' and watch it again. Although Literature to Life is focused on literature, an excellent resource is an excellent resource no matter what topic of study! Khan Academy is also a great place for the grown-ups to get a refresher course on stuff they haven't seen in 20 years yet are expected to remember come 'homework help' time.
www.prezi.com
Prezi is a presentation program like Powerpoint but waaaaaaay better!! A student once described Prezi saying "It's like Powerpoint drank too much Red Bull." Seeing is believing. You have got to check out this site if you do anything with student presentations on computer.
www.pbs.org/wnet/1900house/
PBS had a (sort of) reality series that took a modern-day family and set them in a house rebuilt to fit the early 1900's. The family was completely immersed in the Victorian time period, only having the amenities that would have been available to them during that time (from gas lights to paper dolls!). Aside from a cool show to watch, this website also offers lesson plans and projects for anyone willing to try their own hand at the 1900s lifestyle.
www.hungergameslessons.com
Why reinvent the wheel? This lady has everything Hunger Games! This website contains a mass of information ready for you and your students to absorb. Some of her pages include "Why Teach the Hunger Games?" "Teacher Examples" and "Lesson Catalog" There is also a ton of stuff about the movie versions. Very exciting! (I realize Hunger Games is not 'classic literature' but it's a very popular series and has great potential for incorporating other subjects and getting students involved. Besides, I really liked the books.)