Book Report Alternative: Writing Resumes for Characters in Historical Fiction

Materials and Technology

Printouts

Websites

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Historical fiction novels (see booklist)
  
  
• Resume books with samples (optional but highly desirable)
  
  
  • The Resume Handbook: How to Write Outstanding Resumes & Cover Letters for Every Situation (Resume Handbook, 4th Ed) by Arthur D. Rosenberg, et al.
    
    
  • Adams Resume Almanac by Adams Media Staff (Editor), et al.
    
    
  • Resumes for Dummies, Fourth Edition by Joyce Lain Kennedy
    
    
• Internet access to appropriate sites
  
  
• Word processor

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PRINTOUTS

• Resume for Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton
  
  
• Resume Writing Tips
  
  
• Resume Component Checklist
  
  
• Careers for Characters Rubric
  

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WEBSITES

• Writing Resumes for Fictional Characters

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PREPARATION

• Before this lesson, students will read a book independently, in literature circles, or as a whole class.
  
  
• Ask students to bring copies of the books that will be the focus of their project to class for reference.
  
  
• Choose a historical fiction novel to demonstrate the activity to your class. This lesson uses Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (HarperTrophy, 1987); however, any historical fiction novel will work. See the attached booklist for additional options.
  
  
• Make copies or overheads of the Resume for Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton, Resume Writing Tips, Resume Component Checklist, and the Careers for Characters Rubric.
  
  
• If desired, make copies or an overhead of the Purdue OWL resource Action Verbs to Describe Skills, Jobs, and Accomplishments in Employment Documents.
  
  
• Explore the Resume Workshop from Purdue OWL so that, if used, you’ll know how the site works and can demonstrate the parts of a resume for students.
  
  
• Test the interactive Writing Resumes for Fictional Characters on your computers to familiarize yourself with the tool and ensure that you have the Flash plug-in installed. You can download the plug-in from the technical support page.
  
  
• If students are unfamiliar with gathering character traits, you might complete the Charlotte is Wise, Patient, and Caring: Adjectives and Character Traits lesson plan before introducing this activity.

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