Day 121- It's gonna be a really tough project. You're gonna have to use your head, your brain, and your mind, too." School of Rock

I told my seniors to read chapter 7, but they didn't listen to me. I gave them a short quiz over the short chapter, and I heard "How badly with this hurt my grade?" Many times today. One would think by now they would know I give them quizzes, but apparently they have yet to learn. Silly kids. Anyway, after I gave the quiz, I put them in groups and made them discuss what parts of the chapter they did read, then we came back together to discuss the chapter. I then handed out the paper for their project for Slaughter-House Five. They have 6 different options for the projects, and I've attached it to this post. I told them they have until the day before break to turn this in, no late work accepted. Welcome to the real world kids.

In CW, I let the students analyze my 1st person story that I wrote, and we discussed the elements of it, the drawbacks and benefits. I then had them share their first person writing with a partner and discuss it. We then took the same story, and wrote it in the 3rd person. I wanted them to see how they would have to change things and what details they would need to add to make it interesting to the reader. I again, wrote with them and made my 1st person into 3rd person. I'm excited to read what they have to write.

Slaughter-House Five Project

            To show your knowledge of the book, its concepts and themes, you will choose one of the following tasks below. You will present you project to the class, and you will present the project and written components to myself. This project is worth 100 points and will be considered as a test grade.

The Tasks (you choose one):

• Video Production Option: Film Trailer or Scene
• A Slaughter-Houser Five movie needs to be remade and updated . You (and a group of your peers, if you choose) are to produce either a trailer for the film, or a key scene from the film. This scene must be of your own creation; it can use any applicable movie software, can include filmed footage and/or still images, should include transitions, titles, and effects, and must include a slide that identifies all students who took part in the project (ex. “Directed by…”). You are encouraged to include at least one backing song or audio narration if creating a trailer. The final clip should be a minimum of 2 ½ minutes long.
• Photography/Visual Option: Movie Poster
• Create a movie poster to advertise the film. You can use computer software or physical materials to do so. The poster should be at least the size of a standard page of paper (if done with computer software) or larger. Additionally, you will include a written explanation and reflection on the choices you made in constructing the poster (ex. Explain why you presented certain images, focused on certain theme(s), character(s), etc.).
• Use the humans as a millipede concept to create a continuous motion college or picture representing a point in time. Write an analysis of why you chose this event and discuss why the Tralfamadorians would see time in this way. This must be an original creation of your own and not copied from the Internet
• Written Option: Newspaper or Blog Article
• Write a newspaper or blog-style article persuading the audience (your peers: target audience ages 17 to 25) about why they should read this book. Make sure you discuss both the theme and content of the book, and why it’s important for young audiences to see and engage with the ideas in this film. 2 pages double-spaced, minimum. Use Pages/Publisher software or the like to integrate visuals in your article.

• Music Option: Film Soundtrack
• Create a soundtrack for the film. The songs should tie in with the novel’s themes, characters, and key scenes. Consider all aspects of the songs when choosing those that connect to the film/novel, including but not limited to lyrics, mood, and the genre of music. You should include a minimum of 6 songs: 2 connected to different themes, 2 connected to different characters, and 2 connected to different key scenes.
• Additionally, you will include a written explanation and analysis of why you chose each song (Specifically, for each song, identify the artist and song title, identify the aspect of the novel it’s connected to, and explain, in one or two developed paragraphs, how the song connects lyrically, in terms of mood, etc.).
• You are not required to do so, but you may burn a copy of the songs onto a CD and submit this for bonus points on the assignment.
• Construction
• Based on the description of a Tralfamadorian, construct a life-sized replica of the alien species. Additionally, you will write a description of how you built the replica and you will discuss, in writing, how their bodies contrast with their abilities to see in four dimensions.

This project will be graded holistically (i.e. a letter grade that considers the project’s attention to all required elements) on the following elements:

• Completion of all listed project requirements
• Project’s representation of novel’s theme(s) and content
• Originality and creativity of ideas
• Professional presentation

If you have any further questions about the requirements or allowances of the project, or would like assistance with using any of the software, please see me.