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Alfred kropp final project options/DESCRIPTIONS DUE: 11/25
I-Movie- I envisioned the students using that program to make a book trailer of sorts. (Sound is optional) What would be the important aspects of the book to convey in the trailer? What information would need to be included for viewers to connect to the story and want to "read on"? Length wise, I picture somewhere between 2-4 minutes. (Longer than your average 1-2 minute trailer in order to incorporate more details from the story.) I've also asked for them to complete a 1pg,typed artist statement. This is written in 1st person narrative format and addresses (needs to incorporate) the following questions:
1) What part of the process did I enjoy most? 2) What am I most proud of regarding this trailer? 3) What did I struggle with while creating this piece? 4) What surprised me? 5) What part might need a bit more explanation for the audience to understand? 6) ?? Additional thoughts and commentary?? |
Alfred's lost journal- This was primarily a creative writing piece. Although the book was told from Alfred's perspective (with a bit of narrative help) what would an entry look like the day after Uncle Farrell's death? What would his initial thoughts on Bennacio have looked like? I told kids that I'd like to see an entry for each summary section (I think that would be 15-16 entries altogether.) Obviously, this could be modified somewhat. I just wanted students to put time into this assignment and not turn in three pieces of paper with a paragraph on each one and say, "All done." Ah... no you're not.
A twist on this assignment would be to do the "Lost Journal of_______" and switch the point of view. Bennacio's journal could be pretty neat, along with Mogart's or even Uncle Farrell's from the grave. I had one student ask me today to select a climactic scene (Bennacio's death fight to be precise) and tell it from 4 different perspectives. I thought that was a great idea, so I told her to go with it and check in with me on Friday. Ideally, I'd want kids focused on point of view and important details from the story. |
Children's books- Initially, I envisioned this as a sort of picture book. How would you take a nearly 400 page book and pare it down to 10-20 pages? I thought that this would be a great lesson in brevity for many, as well as focusing on important details. I also asked kids to think about how they'd handle death, violence, and other adult themes in a simpler version. Rather than drawing a picture of Bennacio disemboweling the thug in the woods, perhaps the reader would just see a devious smile and the flash of his trench coat. (Interesting discussions happened from that jumping off point, as you can imagine.) Students could do a black and white version with just a good hand and a sharpie, cut up magazine for an art deco look, or used a combination of mediums. Old black and white photos taken from the internet and applied to the story would also be cool.However, I don't want a "slideshow book", though. That format is too easy to just slap images onto a slide and say, "This is Alfred. He is the main character, etc.." Again, I want kids to focus on characterization, attention to detail, creative interpretation, and the visual elements.
I really am looking for something more than just a summary of the book. (Hence, why I handed out the double-sided summation sheets.) I've already read the book. I know what happens. I want them to take some basic pieces of understanding and run with them. |
Alfred Kropp Literacy Folders: I passed out and started doing these literacy folders towards the beginning of us reading the book. You all filled out the first two or three pages as we did them in class.
Now for the final project I want you to finish off the folder, completing all the sections: Character, Plot, Symbolism, Point Of View, Theme, and Vocabulary. All sections/folder should filled out to the best of your ability. You all should have read the book and should be able to answer all of the questions/handouts that are in the folder. If you have trouble you may always ask for help, but again I AM NOT GIVING ANSWERS. You have to put in the effort on your end for me to put in the effort to help you on my end, it goes both ways. When you have the folder filled out, you need to complete the folder by creating a new cover of the book on the front. You need to include new elements/pictures and you may use pictures from online, but I DO NOT want the same cover as the book above on this page or just the title and the folder cover colored in. You have to include the Title and Author as well as your name. |