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Multi-Cultural Literature – Extra Credit Option

You may complete ONE of the options below as an extra credit option. Your product should be labeled with a heading in which you specify assignment option and description. Also include any MLA bibliographic information for each product. The products will be evaluated for thoroughness, completeness, creativity, professional appearance, and correctness. Scoring Guides/Rubrics will be provided. Products are due on Monday, November 4th.

Important: Just about any of the options below can be re-envisioned using online/digital tools and applications. You are not limited to the structure/formats listed below—talk to me about innovative ideas.

Product Option List

1. Collage

Create a poster-board-sized collage that illustrates the salient points of a character or theme from one of the texts we have read this semester, and make a 2-minute presentation to the class in which you explain your collage. Remember that a collage has little if any white space and that the focus is on an array of pictures and words representative of the book. Include a one-page typed explanation of your collage and of how it relates to the chosen work. (You can try an online version of this assignment using Glogster or Museum Box).

2. Digital Book Trailers

Create a 1-2 minute Digital Book Trailer using Photo Story or Movie Maker that functions to generate student interest in a particular book. Include text, high-quality images, color, video and narration (if appropriate) to generate mystery/tension/intrigue in the manner of TV show and film trailers.

3. Interactive Bulletin Board/Graphic Displays

Assemble at least four poster boards and create a bulletin board/display from one of the texts we have read this semester. The bulletin board attract the attention of potential readers and include elements of interactivity (i.e., students would contribute to or determine some of the content). Then write a 1-2 page typed explanation of your bulletin board and of the ways in which the items on the bulletin board relate to A Lesson Before Dying.

4. Connecting Genres

List and explain specific connections in theme, symbol, style, etc., between one of the texts we have read this semester and at least four other works of other genres, such as novels, short stories, plays, films, TV programs, etc. You may refer to texts focused on in this course in your listing, but at least four of the titles discussed should be “extra-course” texts. These additional titles should be able to serve as paired readings/texts for the specified book and should be interesting and varied enough to entice fellow students to read more. Present your findings as an annotated bibliography, complete with MLA citations for the book read and for the suggested works for paired reading. (You might envision the text annotations in the manner of or recommendations.)

5. Questions

Write a series of questions designed to elicit elaborated discussion by young adults from one of the texts we have read this semester. The questions should follow the model of questions we have used for Socratic Seminar. Write at least 3 questions in each category. Avoid the yes/no-type of questions, even if you follow-up with a why-question. (NOTE: Write the question and the answer using MLA format to provide citations from the text as evidence of the answer)

6. Soundtracks

Choose a minimum of four characters from a text and find fitting song lyrics (or create them) for each. Scan or type out the song lyrics and annotate (explain and make comments on) the lyrics for an explanation as to why you chose that particular song for the character. Burn a CD of the songs and create a CD cover that illustrates a major motif or theme of the text. Consider using a digital platform to embed YouTube videos alongside your work above.

7. Texting/IMing

Based on the action and characters from one of the texts we have read this semester, write a series of emails and IM’s that two of the characters would have sent to each other if they had the technology to do so. The emails or texting should not merely be copied from the book. They should be created by you to show some additional action, emotions, or events not fully presented in the book. In a one-page typed paper, explain your reasons for your choices included in the emails and/or text messages. Also, include the page numbers from the book that correspond to the email or other messages you have created.

8. Map Quest

Draw a neighborhood map or journey map related to one of the texts we have read this semester. Draw a map in which you feature key locations, houses, the school, stores, or other landmarks on the map. Then, in a one- to two-page typed paper, explain your reasons for your choices included on the map.

9. Character Astrology Signs

Create astrology signs based on characters’ traits. Write horoscopes for the characters that related to events, beliefs, outcomes, etc. in the book. In a one-page typed paper, explain your reasons for your choices included in the astrology signs. Also, include the page numbers from the book that correspond to the signs and horoscopes you have created.

10. Retell the Story as a Graphic Novel

Create a graphic novel that retells the key, appropriate elements of the story. Illustrations in your picture book may be created from graphics or drawn by you; either way, they should be purposeful and support the storyline. In a one-page typed paper, explain the thinking behind your picture book, including what elements you decided to include and omit.

from Mitchell, Diana & Leila Christnebury. Both Art and Craft: Teaching Ideas that Spark

Learning. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English, 2000.

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