Beowulf Multi-Genre Assessment

Transcription

1 Beowulf Multi-Genre Assessment Requirements You MUST complete 3 genres, one from each of the three categories. Written pieces MUST be a minimum of a page and a half (typed, single spaced) and should follow the format of the piece; the rest of the genres may be of appropriate length/size for what you are creating (use your best judgment on this). Don t be afraid to double check with me if you are unsure. New information must be presented in each piece instead of repeating it over and over in different forms. I want to learn something new from each piece. You will need to document your sources, including page numbers for any direct quotations. The point of the multi-genre pieces is to allow me to see your understanding of the characters in the novel, the setting, conflict, general plot, etc. Use the characters to your advantage in the pieces and make their personalities come alive. You should understand that I don t have a certain preconceived notion of what your project will be. In fact, I don t know what it will look like, how long it will be, or what forms it will take. I expect that your individuality will cause you to create a final product that reflects the uniqueness of your personality. I know this much: I want your project to be thorough; I want to know your subject when I am through reading. I want your project to be creative; I want to see imaginative and unique types of writing, graphics, or artwork to convey the information and fascinating arrangements on both the individual pages and within the project as a whole. I want your project to convey that you were completely involved with your subject, that you were willing to take risks, that because you care, you gave your very best effort. I want to be able to turn to whomever is around when I m looking at your projects and say, Wow! Listen to this! Written Point of View Story Tell the story of the battle with Grendel in Beowulf s own words in a journal entry or television or newspaper interview. Be sure to include Beowulf s feelings about watching the Geat near him die, how he felt during the fight, a blow-by-blow description of the battle, and how he felt about not being able to kill Grendel. Letter of Advice Pretend that you are Beowulf writing a letter to Wiglaf, your successor. What advice would you give to him to lead the Geats? What mistakes might you warn him against making? What values would you suggest he hold dear? Draw upon details from Beowulf s life that you think would be instructive to the young leader. Eyewitness Account Describe the battle with the dragon in the words of Beowulf, Wiglaf, and one of the Geats who witnessed the event. Twitter Write a series of tweets from Beowulf as he completes his adventures. Remember: no tweet may be more than 140 characters. You should include all major events, as well as events from between battles. Minimum: one tweet per chapter. Text Write a text message conversation between two characters. You must include all major events and details relevant to the characters. Creative Story Write a story or play about the events leading up to the dragon taking the treasure. Creative Story2 Write a story or play about the events of Grendel s childhood. Events must be supported by what the original story says about Grendel and his mother. Application Beowulf is the original superhero. Write a letter of application from Beowulf to the Justice League asking to be admitted as a member and proving his worth.

2 Newspaper Create a complete newspaper outlining the major events in Beowulf. Write articles and include appropriate pictures (hand or computer-drawn, cut from magazines or newspapers, or found on the Internet). In addition to major articles, include typical newspaper features like editorials, obituaries, advertisements, and comics. Use a real newspaper as a model. NOTE: THIS WILL BE LONGER THAN A PAGE AND A HALF. Boast Just as Beowulf gave his boast (his resume) to King Hrothgar so he would be allowed to grapple with Grendel, you will design your own boast about victories in your life. If you need help, look at Beowulf s Boast (Ch. 6). Requirements: 1. Things you may include: a. Your genealogy; b. Acts of past courage; c. Victories over your enemies d. Achievements and awards; and e. Your next great act. 2. Be sure to use: a. Elevated language b. Hyperbole c. Specific details d. Poetic devices i. Alliteration ii. Allusions iii. Kennings iv. Personification v. Imagery vi. Similes and metaphors Creative Talk Show Develop a talk show interview or news program interview with Grendel s mother that takes place immediately after her attack. Reveal reasons for her attack and relate her point of view. Present this interview to the class. Choose roles and rehearse the broadcast; then videotape the production and play it for your class or, if you prefer, do a live performance. You must submit a typed copy of the script. NOTE: THIS MAY COUNT TOWARDS BOTH THE WRITTEN AND CREATIVE COMPONENTS. News Eulogy Write the script for a news broadcast on the death of Beowulf. Recap his illustrious career, the main events in his life, his rise to fame and eventual death. Include brief man-on-the-street interviews with Geats responding to the loss. Present this interview to the class. Choose roles and rehearse the broadcast; then videotape the production and play it for your class or, if you prefer, do a live performance. You must submit a typed copy of the script. NOTE: THIS MAY COUNT TOWARDS BOTH THE WRITTEN AND CREATIVE COMPONENTS. Skit Create a skit or puppet show based on an event in Beowulf from the viewpoint of another character. Perform the skit or puppet show for the class, including all necessary props. Film A trend in film today is to modernize old stories. (Example: the movie O is a modernization of Shakespeare's play Othello portraying the Othello character as the school's black star basketball player, dating a white girl. The Iago character, the coach's son, is jealous and seeks to destroy the Othello character). How would you envision a modern-day or futuristic Beowulf? Think about what modern-day or futuristic counterparts each major character might have and what roles they would play. Sketch out a storyboard or write a proposal for the movie. Think about what costumes, sets, and special effects might be needed. To extend this activity, students can film/video tape part or all of their movie. Board game Create a board game based on the characters and events in Beowulf. A player should be able to learn what happens in Beowulf by playing the game. Include clearly written instructions, some type of board, and playing pieces.

3 Computer game Create an adventure computer game based on Beowulf. Include instructions for installing and playing the game as well as a description of the goal for example, defeating Grendel, Grendel's mother, or the dragon. Web site Create a web site for Beowulf. Include such things as images of the characters as you envision them, a summary page, a commentary page, and a Beowulf links page. Scrapbook Compile a scrapbook based on Beowulf. Write captions explaining each item included, which should be items that the characters might have saved or which somehow identify the characters. Suggested items include pictures, personal articles, and other physical objects. A twist on this idea is to create a Beowulf time capsule. Comic book Beowulf is a story that lends itself well to an action/adventure comic book. Create a fully-realized comic book based on the story of Beowulf. Dramatic Interpretation Interpret a scene from Beowulf, dressing as the characters and performing the scene for the class. Some suggested scenes include Grendel's first attack (Ch. 2), the battle between Beowulf and Grendel (Ch. 11 & 12), the attack of Grendel's mother (Ch. 19), Beowulf's battle with Grendel's mother (Ch. 22 & 23), the battle with the dragon (Ch ), or Beowulf's funeral (Ch. 43). CD Create a CD soundtrack for Beowulf. The storyline remains unchanged. What songs would fit various scenes? You should be matching the situations to a song, not trying to force a song into the project. Requirements: 1. Select Your Songs A minimum of 6 song selections: include the lyrics, the artist, the year of production. No more than one song by any one artist! Your maximum number of songs is 8. When choosing songs, try to remember what happened in each scene that was significant. Be sure the music you select captures the theme, mood, or feeling of that scene. NOTE: THERE CANNOT BE INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE. YOU WILL GET A ZERO. 2. Explain Your Choices Accompanying the lyrics of each song, you should have a single sheet of paper that explains the reasoning behind the song choices (i.e. why you have selected each song and why it represents that scene). Be specific, relating the lyrics, mood and feeling of the song to the events, lines, and feelings in the scene. Each of these explanations should be at least a half page long. SEE PREVIOUS NOTE. 3. CD Cover Create your CD cover artwork, front and back. You must illustrate your cover yourself. The artwork should, of course, be relevant to the story and chosen music. CD2 Create a CD soundtrack for Beowulf. Like the option before, you must include 6-8 songs and a cover. Unlike the option before, for this CD you must rewrite popular (i.e. well known by most people not just you and your friends) songs to fit the story. For example: A'int No Meadhall High Enough, I Will Survive as sung by Beowulf or Grendel). You must include a copy of the original lyrics with your rewrites. Visual Art (Choice) Create an artistic expression of a character, scene, or symbol in Beowulf. Artistic expressions may include paintings, drawings, papier-mâché, 3D models, and costume sketches. Include the textual references which were used as the basis for your planning Art (Specific) Create a representation (model, drawing, etc.) of Hrunting or the sword Beowulf finds in the monsters lair. Include the textual references which were used as the basis for your planning. Art (Specific) Research Viking ships and create a representation (drawing, painting or model) of the Geats ship. Include the textual references which were used as the basis for your planning. Art (Specific) Create an artistic depiction of the dragon. Include the textual references which were used as the basis for your planning.

4 Coat of Arms Create a shield with a coat of arms for a character from the story. Information on the history and design of coats of arms and shields can be found in most encyclopedias under the heading "Heraldry." Use your research and your own creativity, but base your design primarily on accurate clues from your reading. Include the textual references which were used as the basis for your planning. 1. Divisions: Divide the shield into sections; for example, use bars, diagonals, a cross, or create your own. 2. Symbols: Adopt symbols for your person, such as animals (deer, lion, horse, bird, rabbit), man-made objects (castle, sword, key, shovel, gun), or items from nature (tree, flower, fruit). 3. Colors: Choose a metal (gold, silver, copper) and a color (or colors) for your coat of arms. Then color in the shield accordingly. 4. Motto: Create an inscription or motto; then write it on a scroll at the top or bottom of the page. In several paragraphs, explain the significance of the various elements of the coat-of-arms which you have designed for your person, including textual references. Collage Create a collage of images and/or quotations from Beowulf that somehow demonstrate the book's theme or message. Include an explanation for each image and/or quotation that appears on the collage why it was included and its significance to the book. ABC Book Create an ABC book of the people, places, events, symbols, and themes of Beowulf. Each page should be a different letter and include a visual, the letter phrase (e.g. A is for Anglo-Saxon), a quote from the text (cited!), and an original sentence with the word. Nothing may be used more than once (i.e. you may not use Anglo Saxon for both A & S or Grendel for G and Grendel s mother for M). All 26 letters must be used. Movie Poster Create a poster for your own imaginary Beowulf movie. Note: any rip-offs of upcoming or past Beowulf movie posters will result in a zero. This should be YOUR work. NOTE: THIS MAY COUNT TOWARDS BOTH THE WRITTEN AND VISUAL COMPONENTS. Requirements: 1. Art work The work must be NEAT and take up the entire paper. You drawing must include one or more scenes from the story, images that represent the events, or a combination of both. You will also need a symbol to demonstrate one of the themes of the story. This symbol may be part of your scene, or it may be separate. Either way, it should fit naturally into your poster. Your work must be either colored or artistically shaded black & white. Sloppy messes and stick figures need not apply. 2. Cast & Crew You will list at least four major characters and the actors you would have play them. You must also list either a director or producer who you think would be right for this movie. If you don t know the director/producer s name, you may say From the producer of Note: there is no extra credit for listing extra characters. 3. Tagline You must have a tagline for the poster. This can be something you make up yourself, but you can earn extra points if you use a quote from the story. 4. Review On a separate sheet of paper, you will neatly write or type a one and a half page review of the movie. Your review will include a one page summary that tells the background of the story and the major characters, the setting, and conflict but does NOT give away the ending or major events. On the other ½ page, you will explain why you chose the actors for each part and give a reviewer s opinion on the movie s performances, story, special effects, etc. Finally, you will give a rating, in this case 1-5 stars, hatchets, or whatever. You should also identify your theme and symbol from your picture. Include an explanation for each image and/or quotation that appears why it was included and its significance to the book.

5 Please fill in your chosen genre from each section: FINAL CHECKLIST THIS PAGE MUST BE TURNED IN WITH YOUR GENRES Written: Creative: Visual: Read over your project carefully. Put a checkmark by all criteria that you have met. Take the opportunity to revise or add where you spot weaknesses. Then have a classmate read your final project and have him or her check all that apply. Writer (your name) Evaluator Initial all that apply: All three pieces are included. Genres are varied. Each piece includes different information. The subject is covered thoroughly. The reader will learn a great deal. Direct quotes in the pieces are indicated by italics, bolding, quotation marks, and so on. The pieces look and sound authentic.

6 Name: Multi-Genre Rubric Category Exemplary Good Fair Poor Points Three different genres are included in the assignment. All 3 genres are included and complete (meets all standards for the genre) pts. 3 genres are included and 2 are complete (meets all standards for the genre) pts. 3 genres are included and 1 is complete (meets all standards for the genre) pts. Student s work is not complete or does not meet the standards of the assignment. 7 pts. /25 Each piece thoroughly shows understanding of Beowulf (accuracy). Creativity All details are factually correct and the piece conveys a thorough understanding pts. The assignment goes above and beyond what has been asked. The student really grasped the assignment and shows highly creative work. One or two details are incorrect and/or the piece does not reflect understanding pts. The student grasped the assignment and shows some creativity pts. Several details are incorrect and/or there has been a misinterpretation of facts or understanding pts. The assignment is mundane and not much thought has gone into creating the pieces pts. The pieces are off task and do not reflect the understanding of the reader. 12 pts. The student has only given the minimum effort allowed. 5 pts. /30 /20 Attractiveness (typed, color, etc.) Grammar and Mechanics pts. All sections are complete and typed or in color where applicable pts. The genres are almost completely free of spelling and grammar errors pts. One section is not typed or in color pts. There are a few spelling and grammar errors which do not interfere with the meaning. 8 7 pts. Two sections are not typed or in color. 9 7 pts. There are multiple spelling and grammar errors which impede understanding of the genres. 6 5 pts. Three sections are not typed or in color. 6 pts. The grammar and mechanics are so poor it is difficult to understand. 4 pts. /15 /10 Comments: Total Points: