As a wrap-up for the novel, The Secret Life of Bee, you will be required to complete ONE of the projects listed below. Read each description carefully and then choose one which you can complete the BEST. You will be graded on: creativity, connection/reflection of the novel, completeness, and overall product excellence.
#1 ~ Create a Soundtrack to the Novel -- Pick 10 songs that you think would be the best representative of the novel. Choose the songs (pop, rock, oldies, classical, disco, rap) and in an attached essay write a description of why you chose those songs (think about not only song lyrics, but music mood). Also, design the CD cover, liner notes. It would be fun if you could "burn" the CD you designed, but it is not required. Turn in: Jewel case w/ CD liner and written rational of the songs chosen. (Prewriting ideas: listen to some soundtracks and see if you can decide WHY they chose the songs they did. Did they reflect theme, plot, feelings, etc? Use your findings as a model.)
#2 ~ Create a Theme Park -- Design a theme park around the novel. You should design and names rides/attractions, shows, areas of the park, the park itself so that they reflect the novel. You need to create a drawing/map/3D model of the park (your choice) labeled w/ everything and turn in a written explanation of your park and why you chose what you did and how you think it represents Secret Life of Bees. Turn in: Theme park and written explanation of the park. (Prewriting idea: go on the web to some famous theme parks and see how they are set up and named, notice their themes. Go to Disneyworld, Kings Island, Six Flags, Cedar Point, and/or Bush Gardens.)
#3 ~ Artistic Rendering -- Create a piece of artwork that represents the themes, characters, conflicts, symbols, and plot in the novel. You may do a painting or some other drawing (collage). NOTE: DO NOT attempt this if you are not artistic…this would be a BAD choice for me. Turn in: the piece of artwork and a written analysis of how it represents the novel. Be creative in your use of medium/genre (paints, pastels, pointillism, abstract, collage, etc).
#4 ~ Create a Tattoo -- Today, tattoos are all the rage. Everyone who is anyone has one to express who they are or a life-philosophy). Pretend all of the characters go to the tattoo parlor for an afternoon excursion. What tattoo would each of the characters choose and why?
Design the tattoos and write an explanation of how that tattoo represents them. (Prewriting: Visit some tattoo sites online to see what kind of tattoos are out there. A&E and TLC channels have shows about tattoos that might be helpful to watch.)
#5 ~ Write Chapter 15 -- What if Kidd didn't want the story to end with chapter 14? How would he have continued it? Pretend you are the author and you need to finish your novel. Write the chapter keeping in mind all of the plot, characters, etc that Kidd developed and be sure to continue her writing style (tone, style, use of symbols, etc).
Turn in: the chapter and a brief description of the choices you made.
#6 ~ Keeping a Journal -- Pretend you are one of the characters (other than Lily since we already know what she feels) and you are keeping a journal of your feelings and the summer's events. Be sure to stay in line w/ the plot and character development. Turn in: Turn in the journal and a brief explanation of why you chose that character and an analysis of what they wrote about. (This could also be a "scrapbook"
journal).
#7 ~ Create a Web Page -- Pretend the characters in the novel could create personalized Web Pages, what would they look like? Do not feel the need to actually use Publish the web site to do this, but rather mock one up on your computer or on old fashioned paper. What would their Web Page reveal about their character, longings, dreams, outlook on life? Then write an essay explaining each Web Page and the choices you made. If you wish to actually publish your character website, tell me and I will give you a place to publish it.
#8 ~ YOUR CHOICE -- Have a better idea? Propose it to Mrs. Schulze and get it OK'd. It can be something you are talented at, but that isn't on here or it can be just something that popped into your head.