Materials and Resources
Boot Camp Rubric.doc
Learning Context/ Introduction
Being an eleventh grade English teacher, my students generally write a critical lens when they complete a novel for class. Toward the end of the semester, to give them a break, I have them create a Facebook or MySpace page for one of the main characters in the book. You may use any book, but it is best to avoid books that have been subsequently made into movies. Students should have completed the book when they begin this project. They must all have computers available with PowerPoint and Internet. Prior experience with PowerPoint and the Internet is necessary to complete this project within four seventy-minute blocks and present it. It is also assumed that students have done character analysis on numerous occasions and discussed the main characters in this book in class.
Essential Question
What traits does this character possess?
Assessment
see attached
Boot Camp Rubric.doc
Student Work based on the novel Boot Camp
see attached
Low
Procedure
Choose a book with main characters about the same age as your students.
When students have completed the book and any activities you do in class related to the book, you will be ready to have them start their Facebook or My Space pages.
Make sure all of your students have a Facebook or MySpace account or at least have seen what they look like. If you are using a filtered network in school, as I am, you will need to print some pages from these sites at home to let students who are totally unfamiliar with them see what they look like. To be successful your students will have to have prior experience with the Internet, PowerPoint, importing documents, pictures, and music.
I. Have each student choose one of the main characters from the book.
II. Using PowerPoint, students will create a simulated Facebook or MySpace account
for the character.
III. Give students a list of minimum requirements for their presentations:
- Character's Name
- Vital Statistics
- Picture of Character
- Friends
- Family
- Favorite Music
- Favorite Movie
- Favorite Actor/Actress
- Hobbies
- Favorite Place
IV. Students can download music from home or use any account your school
may have. They do not have to download it. They may wish to simply include the
titles and artists.
V. When they have finished, students should present their projects to the class.
The slides should be accompanied by an oral presentation which effectively justifies
the content and offers evidence of analysis of the characters.
Facebook guidelines for students.doc
Related Resource
- PowerPoint
- Internet
- Mobile or Stationary Computer Lab
Instructional/Environment Modifications
Students not familiar with the page layouts need to see samples.
Special needs students may need additional time on the computer.
This can be provided during academic support periods or study halls.
Duration
Four seventy-minute blocks to prepare the presentation and one block to present
Reflections and Feedback
This project allows students to do something they enjoy, while still completing a very thorough analysis of the book through the character they choose. Very meaningful discussions emerge amongst the students as they talk about the book and ask each other questions as they work. Many of the things on the list of minimum requirements will not be in the book. This forces each student to think about the way that character views life, other characters, and their surroundings. Having to explain why the character would make the choices they have made really pushes students to analyze the character and how that character is developed in relation to the other characters and the plot.
Vocabulary
Facebook
MySpace
PowerPoint
