To Kill a Mockingbird Creative Project Choices
Exploring Setting
Construct a map or model of Maycomb. Include the
homes of the major characters: the Finches,
Calpurnia, Dill, Miss Maudie, Mrs. Duboise, the
Radleys, Tom Robinson, the Ewells, the Cunninghams.
Also include spots like the courthouse, the school,
and the sherrif's office. Use the text to determine
placement of the building. Remember to label the
buildings. You may use your imagination for details
not specifically mentioned. Your model or map must
be creative and colorful. When you present your
project, be prepared to discuss how the social
setting of the period influenced the physical
setting.
Exploring
Theme
Create a collage of images
from the novel to illustrate one or more of the
novel's themes. Your collage's title should reflect
the theme(s) you have chosen. Your collage should be
at least as large as a half a sheet of poster board.
It should be creative and neat. Write an essay in which you discuss the ways in which specific pictures relate to your theme. When you present
your project, be prepared to discuss the ways in
which specific pictures relate to your
theme.
Exploring Point of
View
You and a partner should
produce a newspaper that might have been published in
Maycomb. The paper should include two articles about
current events from the novel. Remember to answer
the journalistic questions: who, what, when, where,
and why. Your paper should also include an editorial
about a controversial issue facing the people of
Maycomb, a letter to the editor from a citizen of
Maycomb, a church news article, and an obituary of
someone from the novel who died. Articles should
have headlines; the paper should have a name.
Present in a newspaper
format.
Exploring
Character
Pretend you are a
reporter interviewing a character from the novel.
Choose a character you would like to interview.
Write a list of interview questions. Write
responses to your questions you believe your chosen
character would make. Remember, the character's
responses should be consistent with what you know
about the character's personality. You should then
tape the interview with you as the reporter and your
partner as the character. The interview should last
at least 8 minutes.
Exploring
Character
Make three wanted
posters for three of the characters in the book.
Include a drawing of the character, a detailed
physical description, a list of misdeeds, maximum
penalty possible for the crimes, other important
information such as places the character is likely to
be found, last know physical address, and a reward
for the capture. Take your details from the novel. Write an essay explaining whether or not you believe the character will be convicted if caught and why or why not.
Present your posters and your verdicts, along with your explanations, to the class.
Exploring
Plot
Illustrate the classroom
time line with drawings or magazine cutouts. Then
identify each illustrated point according to its
function in the plot: exposition, rising action,
climax, falling action, resolution, narrative hook. Write an analysis of the plot, referring to your illustrated time line.
Present your analysis to the class. May work in a
group of three.
Exploring Character
Prepare a scrapbook that Scout (or some other character) might have kept. You should have some representation of 10 items, and a written explanation of why you selected those particular items and what the item reveals about Scout's (or others') character. Present your scrapbook and explanation to the class.
Email: kglee@webtv.net
