Book Report Alternative: Creating a Childhood for a Character

Materials and Technology

Student Interactives

Printouts

Websites

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

Merlin and the Dragon by Jane Yolen

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STUDENT INTERACTIVES

Grades   1 – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

Plot Diagram

The Plot Diagram is an organizational tool focusing on a pyramid or triangular shape, which is used to map the events in a story. This mapping of plot structure allows readers and writers to visualize the key features of stories.

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Stapleless Book

The Stapleless Book can be used for taking notes while reading, making picture books, collecting facts, or creating vocabulary booklets . . . the possibilities are endless!

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Letter Generator

The Letter Generator is a useful tool for students to learn the parts of a business or friendly letter and then compose and print letters for both styles of correspondence.

 

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PRINTOUTS

• Suggested Booklist and Characters for Creating a Character’s Childhood
  
  
• Creating a Childhood for a Character Instructions
  
  
• Character’s Childhood Planning Sheet
  
  
• Creating a Childhood for a Character Project Options
  
  
• Character Childhood Rubric
  
  
• Sample Character’s Childhood Planning Sheet
  
  
• Character Childhood Self-Assessment

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WEBSITES

• Character Childhood Planning Chart
• King Arthur and Camelot
• Arthurian Studies

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PREPARATION

• Before the lesson, have students choose and read a book from the booklist provided or another book that features an adult character.
  
  
• If you are not already, familiarize yourself with the Arthurian legend. You may also want to be familiar with Star Wars: Episode I , the 2005 movie version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and/or other resources familiar to students that would be useful for discussion in session 2.
  
  
• Make enough copies of the Character's Childhood Planning Sheet for each group, as well as each student. Make extras in case students want to explore more than one character.
  
  
• Make copies of the writing instruction sheets and project options for each student.
  
  
• If students are not familiar with foreshadowing, plot and narrative perspective, review these concepts briefly before beginning the lesson.
  
  
• Test the Interactive Chart, Letter Generator, Plot Diagram, and Stapleless Book tools on your computers to familiarize yourself with the tools and ensure that you have the Flash plug-in installed. You can download the plug-in from the technical support page.

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