This could be adapted to fit other texts. It is the final assessment I used after my seniors read Beowulf in class.
Beowulf
Final assessment options
100 points
DUE DATE: Tuesday, Sept. 19
Below you will find several options for your final assessment of Beowulf. They range from group presentations to the standard essay. Anything that you turn in to me must be typed (Deubrook report format) with the exception of the graphic novel choice. Choose one and have fun!
A) Write and perform a sequel or prequel to Beowulf in the form of an epic. (This can be prose, poem, skit, etc., but it needs to have the elements of an epic: heroes or people of high rank who encounter adventures or struggles on a grand scale, strong plot, conflict, excitement, adventure, detailed descriptions, and compelling imagery.)
· One to three people can do this.
· This should be 5-10 minutes long, no more, no less. If you have 2 people in your group, a minimum of 7 minutes; for 3 people, a minimum of 9 minutes.
· You will turn in a copy of your epic with each group member’s name at least one day before you perform it. You will receive the same grade unless I see that equal effort has not been made by each member.
B) Write and perform a monologue from Beowulf’s perspective describing his life from the beginning until his death.
· One person.
· This should be 4-10 minutes long, no more, no less. You will turn in a copy of your monologue to me at least one day before you perform it.
***A note about options A & B: In a “test” of a 2 page reading, it was 2.5 minutes, so 1 page=75 seconds. This is just an estimate! Make sure you rehearse, so you can make your time!
C) Choose a section of Beowulf (Beowulf’s encounter with Grendel’s mother, for example) to rewrite and illustrate as a graphic novel. This should be very detailed and in color. You need a minimum of 10 illustrations 3x5 inches with narrative text included. See me for an example of this! One person.
D) Write an essay on one of the following topics. One person. This essay should be 4 ½-8 pages long, following the Deubrook report format. You will probably have to do some research outside of the topic itself. Include a works cited page. For examples, see the Deubrook report format.
1. The epic Beowulf often digresses to include other legends or stories. Describe two or three of these and relate the significance and relevance to the epic itself.
2. The role of Women in Beowulf. Examine the female characters in Beowulf. Do women play an important role in the poem? Is this consistent with their roles in Anglo-Saxon society?
3. Monsters of Beowulf. Consider the qualities of the three monsters. Why does the poet give Grendel and his mother human qualities? What do each of their homes say about them as foes for Beowulf?
4. Battles with monsters. In Beowulf’s three fights with three monsters he uses different methods, techniques, and weapons, and he wins different “trophies” each time. Analyze these differences and explain what this says about his development as a hero.
5. Modern themes. Look for themes in Beowulf that have connection to our society and to modern humanity. Does this ancient literature have any common themes that we can learn from? (For example, compare Grendel to a villain of modern time: Hitler, Saddam Hussein. OR Can Grendel be seen as a victim? Perhaps the Danes moved in and polluted his home just as humans are cutting down rainforests or hunting endangered animals.)
Final assessment options
100 points
DUE DATE: Tuesday, Sept. 19
Below you will find several options for your final assessment of Beowulf. They range from group presentations to the standard essay. Anything that you turn in to me must be typed (Deubrook report format) with the exception of the graphic novel choice. Choose one and have fun!
A) Write and perform a sequel or prequel to Beowulf in the form of an epic. (This can be prose, poem, skit, etc., but it needs to have the elements of an epic: heroes or people of high rank who encounter adventures or struggles on a grand scale, strong plot, conflict, excitement, adventure, detailed descriptions, and compelling imagery.)
· One to three people can do this.
· This should be 5-10 minutes long, no more, no less. If you have 2 people in your group, a minimum of 7 minutes; for 3 people, a minimum of 9 minutes.
· You will turn in a copy of your epic with each group member’s name at least one day before you perform it. You will receive the same grade unless I see that equal effort has not been made by each member.
B) Write and perform a monologue from Beowulf’s perspective describing his life from the beginning until his death.
· One person.
· This should be 4-10 minutes long, no more, no less. You will turn in a copy of your monologue to me at least one day before you perform it.
***A note about options A & B: In a “test” of a 2 page reading, it was 2.5 minutes, so 1 page=75 seconds. This is just an estimate! Make sure you rehearse, so you can make your time!
C) Choose a section of Beowulf (Beowulf’s encounter with Grendel’s mother, for example) to rewrite and illustrate as a graphic novel. This should be very detailed and in color. You need a minimum of 10 illustrations 3x5 inches with narrative text included. See me for an example of this! One person.
D) Write an essay on one of the following topics. One person. This essay should be 4 ½-8 pages long, following the Deubrook report format. You will probably have to do some research outside of the topic itself. Include a works cited page. For examples, see the Deubrook report format.
1. The epic Beowulf often digresses to include other legends or stories. Describe two or three of these and relate the significance and relevance to the epic itself.
2. The role of Women in Beowulf. Examine the female characters in Beowulf. Do women play an important role in the poem? Is this consistent with their roles in Anglo-Saxon society?
3. Monsters of Beowulf. Consider the qualities of the three monsters. Why does the poet give Grendel and his mother human qualities? What do each of their homes say about them as foes for Beowulf?
4. Battles with monsters. In Beowulf’s three fights with three monsters he uses different methods, techniques, and weapons, and he wins different “trophies” each time. Analyze these differences and explain what this says about his development as a hero.
5. Modern themes. Look for themes in Beowulf that have connection to our society and to modern humanity. Does this ancient literature have any common themes that we can learn from? (For example, compare Grendel to a villain of modern time: Hitler, Saddam Hussein. OR Can Grendel be seen as a victim? Perhaps the Danes moved in and polluted his home just as humans are cutting down rainforests or hunting endangered animals.)
6 comments:
I find this refreshing because I too use projects as an alternate form of assessment. My lit students all have to do 2 book reports for their class. This assignment is an out of class assignment with only 1 day a week given to them for reading their books in class. I then give them a list of projects to choose from - one writing and two hands-on. They have turned in some great projects and insightful writings. I usually keep some to use as examples for the upcoming students.
Beowulf is one of my favorite units to teach. I have done the projects with my class too. I had one student turn in an absolutely amazing comic book version of the novel. His artwork was fantastic. Students have some amazing talents.
I have boys who would go crazy over creating a graphic novel. They are cartoonist from the heart and would welcome a chance to show that a picture can truly be "worth a 1000..."
Beowulf is one of my favorites also to teach. I have many students who prefer to draw than to write. I can't wait to try this when I next teach this unit. I have also had the students write their impressions of the epic poem to enable me to really evaluate if they understood the poem.
I also love to teach Beowulf. These are some great ideas for final assignments. I have my students draw a picture of the Grendel. It gives them ownership as the monster is something terrible to themselves. I also have had students watch the Thirteenth Warrior and then have students write a comparison contrast essay highlighting the similiarities and differences with the poem and the movie.
Thanks for the great ideas for assessment. More than anything, having options gives students more ownership of what they are doing. And we all know when they own it, they work harder to be successful.
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