The Movie

We are watching the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird in class beginning this Wednesday. While you are watching the film, choose a specific scene to write about. This may be a scene that stands out to you because it was exactly how you imagined it while reading or was very different from what you pictured while you were reading. Or maybe the scene stands out because of the acting or set design.

Write two paragraphs on one specific scene from the movie in which you clearly describe the scene in the book and compare/contrast it with what you imagined while reading. Comment on the actors portraying the characters and how they compared with your previous mental image. Also comment on the visual impact of the scene: the setting, costumes, lighting, etc. You do not need to quote the novel on this one, but use specific details from the reading as support for your comparison. Try to write something that reflects your own personal interpretation of the novel - be unique. 

Post and comment on a classmate's blog by Friday, October 31.

This Book Changed My Life

Okay, that may sound like an exaggeration. But the truth is, you've been involved with this book for the past six weeks and over those six weeks, you have changed. How has this book impacted your life? How have you changed since reading To Kill a Mockingbird. What have you learned from the people and events in Maycomb or how have their issues influenced you as you completed one sixth of your freshman year? You can write about personal issues, as long as you tie in the book in some way.

As always, write two complete paragraphs and include at least one embedded quote. Read the blogs of your classmates and be sure to comment on at least one of them. Due Thursday, 10/23.

Life Lessons

As the book nears its close, Scout and Jem continue to learn important life lessons from the adults around them. Write about a lesson Scout or Jem learns in chapters 22-28. Describe who and what teach this lesson and what Scout or Jem learns about life as a result. Also describe why this is an important lesson to learn and relate it to your own experience growing up.

Write two complete paragraphs with at least one embedded quote from the novel. Post and comment by Thursday, October 16.

Extra Credit!

You've been in English for nearly six weeks now. Write two about your reactions to the class. Make it interesting and creative to receive extra credit for your first six weeks grade. 

I want to hear some of your unique personality coming through and I love reading original metaphors, similes, and other types of figurative language. 

Write at least two paragraphs, or you can write this in poem form. A series of haiku would be nice, a sonnet lovely, or even some imaginative free verse. 

Wow me. Inspire me to award you extra credit.

Due Friday, October 10.

Themes

Review your list of themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. Choose one theme and write about how the characters and their actions reflect this theme in the novel. 

Give 2-3 examples of how the theme is shown throughout the novel. Refer to specific details from the reading and use at least one quote as support. Include both 1)what happens in the novel and 2)your own ideas about the greater meaning behind characters and events.

Write at least two full, well-developed paragraphs. Post and comment by Thursday, 10/9/08.