Friday, March 10, 2017

Classics REVAMP Information

Below is a copy (that lost all the formatting) of the outside reading assignment I will give the kids when we return from Spring Break.  It is IN NO WAY to be done over Spring Break.  I didn't even mention it to them on purpose.  However, some of you may have extra reading time and/or want to start looking for copies of a book.  We have library day the Monday we get back, and I have copies of lots of these books.  This is really just a PSA in case someone is bored or planning ahead.  😄



Classics REVAMP Reading Assignment – Due no later than April 5

In the fall you selected and read a classic novel independently.  This semester you will reading a book based in some part on a classical and traditional story – such as a myth or fairy tale.  I have put a list on my blog, but you are not bound to that list.  If it is not on the list, though, you must have approval.  

I have also REVAMPed the assignment.  Part One will be due BOC, Wednesday, April 5Part Two will be given to you in class on that day.  Together, they will be a major grade.  You will be able to use Part One and the book to help you complete Part Two.  You may type or handwrite Part One, but I will need paper copies brought to class on the day the assignment is due.
As ALWAYS: Read EVERYTHING; FOLLOW directions.

Reminder:  A QUOTE is taken word for word from a text – it might be dialogue or it might be narration.  A quote taken from a book does not have to have been inside quotation marks in the original book.

EX:  “Nor will he give up digging about in my past” (68).                                
EX:  “ ‘You’re such a lucky lad to know all this…’ “ (68).                                  

A:  Read a copy of the original myth, legend, tale, etc. that this story has REVAMPed. (You won’t do anything with this until Part Two.)

B:  You have two options for the first part of B.  Either create a picture of the protagonist of the story that show details of their physical appearance from the book (not the cover, the book)  OR  Fill a circle in the middle of the page with all the descriptive words and phrases from the book to describe the protagonist. 

This second part is the same regardless of your choice for the first part. Write 3 quotes that show a CHARACTER/PERSONALITY TRAIT that the character has.  Be sure to put the quote in quotation marks, with the page number in parenthesis.  Also, write the trait ABOVE the quote. 

C:  Write a statement of theme.  Remember, this is a truth about life that the author wants to convey.  The theme must be supported with at least two quotes from the book.

D:  Copy down and identify TWO examples of literary devices (for example: metaphor, simile, imagery, allusion, irony, personification, hyperbole). Then explain how the author uses the literary device you identified. In other words, what is the author’s purpose in using that device?
Sentence Frame you may use:    
________________ used this ____________________ in order to make the reader ______________________________
           (author)                                   (literary device)                                                (think, feel, understand, believe, guess, etc.)

EX: “In spite of the destruction, it was a beautiful sight.  I did not imagine a fire could burn so fast or so hungrily as the fires the natives have set today” (220). Karen Hess used this personification of the fire in order to make the reader understand how quickly the fire burned and how large an area it covered.  The crew felt scared, as if the fire were trying to devour their camp, yet also found it strangely attractive in its danger.

E.  Write a brief review of the book.  Do NOT give away the end or any major surprises!  What did you like about the story?  What didn’t you like?  Who might you recommend this book to?  I am going to hang these up as book referrals, so put this on its own piece of paper.  Remember, NO SPOILERS!

EX: If you like humor and a little bit of blood and guts, then A Tale Dark and Grimm is for you! Gidwitz keeps the harsh reality of the Brothers Grimm’s tales while creating a new, original story full of laughs and stressful moments. The narrator is as much character as story teller.  Fans of fairy tales will enjoy identifying familiar faces.  My one caution is that while there are many tales in this book, not every story has a happy ending.

Part One Rubric

______ (5) This rubric, with your name written above and to the LEFT of the word rubric, is turned in with Part One. The title (underlined) and author of the book are written above and to the RIGHT of the word rubric.
______ (20) Part B – Drawing matches the book’s physical description of the protagonist as far as is available in the book.  Character traits are not emotions and are supported by evidence from the book. Quotes are in the proper format.
______ (15) Part C – The theme matches the book and is supported by evidence from the book. Quotes are in the proper format.
______ (20) Part D – Literary devices are correctly identified. Author’s purpose is a reasonable analysis the device’s purpose in the book. Quotes are in the proper format.

______ (10) Part E – Review includes specifics of what you liked and disliked and a specific audience for the book.  Direct quotes are not required, but if included, must be in the proper format.