TKAM Final Project Assignment Sheet

Final Assessment – Creative Final Project

As we have finished To Kill a Mockingbird, students are now asked to reflect on the characters, themes, and events that were most predominant throughout the novel. In order to do this, students will be given the opportunity to choose between several different potential creative writing assignments.

This project may be done individually or in pairs. If you are working with someone else on this project, you will both be graded individually. Before beginning your project, each student (or pair) must provide me with a proposal outlining the approach they plan to take and what the final project will look like. Students working in pairs must outline EXACTLY what each person will be responsible for.

• Option 1 – Make a CD of 5-10 songs that represent themes/characters/symbols/events in the novel. The CD must have a cover, and must include liner notes that explain the relationship between each song and the novel. Each song needs a 2 paragraph explanation to clarify why it works to connect to To Kill a Mockingbird.
• Option 2 – Make a Collage on poster board that represents the themes/characters/symbols/events in the novel. The collage must have 10-15 images that relate to To Kill a Mockingbird, and each image must have a one-paragraph written explanation demonstrating how it connects to the novel.
• Option 3 – Write several short poems (or 1-2 long poems) that are inspired by the novel. You can write from your own perspective as the reader, from the perspective of a character, or from a narrator added in to the story. Each poem requires a one-page explanation (or a 2-page explanation if it is only a single longer poem).
• Option 4 – if you have an original idea that you believe would fulfill the criteria of the project, I am willing to listen to it.
• All projects must have a PROPOSAL submitted to me before you begin working. I MUST APPROVE your proposal before you start!

While creativity is an important aspect of this project, the MOST IMPORTANT PART is that you make connections to the novel in a way that demonstrates to me that you understand the themes, symbols, and events of To Kill a Mockingbird!

Project Rubric –

	Exceed Expectation	Meet Expectation	Approaching Expectation	Approaching Expectation from Very far away	Incomplete
Proposal	Shows effort in planning, has a clear and direct focus. Has a method of organization devised, and has clear connections to the novel. Specific elements of what will be done are already planned out.	Shows some planning, has a clear and direct focus. Has a method of organization devised and is connected to the novel.	Demonstrates some planning, but it is difficult to ascertain focus. Connection to the novel is unclear, method of organization is unclear.	Planning is not evident, appears to have been decided on-the-fly. No real focus visible, minimal organization, and hard to connect to the novel.	You didn’t propose anything. It displeases me.
Connections	Clearly demonstrates connections to the themes, characters, events, and symbols in the novel. Goes beyond what was discussed in class to provide new and interesting insight into the story.	Demonstrates connection to the themes, characters, events, and symbols in the novel.	Vaguely demonstrates connections to the themes, characters, events, and symbols in the novel. Lacks concrete evidence or explanation as to why your project is connected to what we have read.	Does not demonstrate any connection to the themes, characters, events, and symbols in the novel. It appears you have just thrown together a project for the sake of making a CD//collage.	There is nothing here, so there is nothing to connect. Again, it displeases me.
Project	Project demonstrates thoughful design, careful attention to detail, and is well-organized. I do not need an explanation as to how it connects – it is all clear to the audience (me).	Project demonstrates thoughtful design, attention to detail, and is organized.	Project shows some design work, some detail, and is organized. It is difficult for me to follow what is going on without a student explaining it to me.	Project looks like it was thrown together at the last minute. No details, minimal design work, poorly organized.	I am displeased.
Written Work	Provides a clear and concise explanation to the elements of the project. I know exactly why you made the decisions you made when designing your project, and the entire effort is clear.	Provides a clear explanation of your project. I know exactly why you made the decisions you made when designing your project, and the entire effort is clear.	Provides an explanation of your project, though it is difficult at times for me to understand how it connects to the novel. The explanation is vague, or weak.	What you wrote does not provide an explanation for your project. It is difficult for me to find any connections between what you have made and what you have written.	Student didn’t write anything. Do you see a theme developing in this column? I AM DISPLEASED.
Group Work	Group works well together and both partners contribute equally.	Group works well together and both partners contribute equally.	Group survives each other, but it is clear to me that someone has been doing more of the work.	Partners are complaining about each other; it is clear that the distribution of work was unequal.	Partners are crying in opposite corners of the room.