A school board meeting is held one night at your high school. Parents are very upset to learn that their students will be reading "The Catcher in the Rye" in their English class:
"My child won't read that book!" says a father. "We weren't allowed to read it when we were kids and I see no reason for them to read it now!"
"It's depressing and morbid! The boy in that book is negative and doesn't say anything worth repeating! What's worse is that he uses foul language! He even talks about sex! It's not appropriate literature." says a mother.
One of the English teachers make an attempt to calm the parents and explain the importance of reading "The Catcher in the Rye":
"Now I understand your concerns everyone, but I can assure you that students learn from this book and they enjoy it. Students relate to the characters and the themes of this story. I tell you what, why don't you take a look at what the students have learned in the past and tell me what you think?"
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You have read "The Catcher in the
This can be done in small groups or individually. You will choose from a list of possible topics, or you may submit another idea in writing for approval. You will then choose from a list of presentation forms, and once again, you have the option to submit another idea to me in writing for approval.
Your
task will be to present proof of your learning to the school board and
the parents at this meeting. You will briefly introduce and
present your work, in
order to persuade them not to recommend that
"The Catcher in the
1.) Decide whether you will do this project in a group or individually. If you decide to work in a group, you must talk with your teacher and be able to prove that each group member will have an equal share of the work. Everyone in the group MUST have a job.
2.)
Decide what your subject will be. What interests you about "The Catcher
in the Rye"? What themes would you like to explore further? Some
possible topics are:
* "The Catcher in the Rye" and how it illustrates adolescence
* Holden's view of adults and "phoniness"
* The book's depiction of depression
* Grief
* Family roles
* The different types of relationships
* What "The Catcher in the Rye" says about sex
* Holden's New York
* Please feel free to come up with your own idea and submit it in writing for approval *
3.) Decide what kind of a presentation you will do. Some ideas are:
* Short movie
* Slide show
* Wiki
* Website (to be hosted on the school server)
* PodCast
* Music video
* Mock interview with a character, critic or the author
* Mock newscast
* Again, feel free to
suggest another idea for approval as long as you can create some sort
of electronic presence of your project.
4.) Once you have decided on the topic and form of your presentation as well as if it will be a group or individual presentation, you must put this plan in writing and turn it into the teacher. This will ensure all the proper equipment will be available when you present.
5.) Once your presentation is complete and ready for class make a copy of your work. This needs to be on a CD or DVD.
6.) After
your presentation is complete, fill out a self-evaluation. Make sure to
include the self-evaluation and the copy of your presentation in your
portfolio.
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Task and Process: What are you doing and how will you do it?
Evaluation: How will you be graded?
Resources: Where can you find materials to help you?
End Note: Want more? What have you learned and where can you go next?