Character Day

(This is a note to the student)

Reading Halloween Project

There will be a final reading project for the first nine weeks. Your will bring to life a character from a book you have read this quarter. You will need the book in class to complete parts of the assignment.

Assignment parts:

Choose a good character
Character Analysis
Illustration
Talk Preparation (note cards )
Costume
The Talk


You will be graded on six activities listed.

1) “Choose a good character”. You will need to have your character chosen and bring the book with you to class. The reading teacher will OK the choices and let you know if it is an appropriate character.

2) “Character Analysis” due. You will need the book to write exact words about this character. The character analysis is an activity where you choose three characteristics of your character and back them up with quotes from the book.

3) “Color Illustration” due. The illustration should be of you portraying the character. Draw your costume to the best of your ability. Make sure to include any props you intend to have with you.

4) “Note cards” due. Have your note cards neatly written. You may use these cards during your talk.

5) “Costume” due. Using your illustration as a guide, dress (and behave) like your character. Costume guidelines are:
•School appropriate (covers properly, no graphic violence, no drug reference)
•Face paint must be put on at home (do not bring face paints to school)
•Bring props first period and use only in the reading classroom.

6) “The Talk” due. Become your character. Talk to the class giving everyone an idea of who you are and what characteristics you have.



(The following continuums are here as a rubric guide. They can be used by the student and the teacher to assess the performance of the project.)

Character Analysis continuum:
a) Three characteristics .......... One characteristic
b) Completely finished ............. Incomplete
c) Quote or example relates to characteristic .......... Quote or example does not go with characteristic

Color Illustration continuum:
a) Use all the space wisely .......... Much unused space
b) Character is most of the picture ...Character too small
c) Colorful & neat .......... Messy
d) Many details included .......... Very few details

Costume continuum:
a) Costume looks like the illustration .......... Hard to see how the illustration is a picture of you in costume
b) Props and costume “make sense” for the character .......... Props and costume seem random
c) Costume is elaborate / detailed .......... Costume is thrown together
d) Costume required thought and time to prepare .......... Costume required very little thinking to put together
e) You act the part as well as dress the part .......... People can’t tell what kind of characteristics your character has by looking at you.

The Talk continuum:
a) You are completely prepared and have obviously rehearsed .......... You do not seem at all prepared to present
b) You become your character (facial expressions and body language generate strong interest) .......... Very little use of facial expressions or body language.
c) Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members .......... Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members
d) Stands up straight, looks relaxed. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room .......... Slouches and/or does not look at people during the presentation
e) Presentation is 3 – 4 minutes long .......... Presentation is too long or too short