Book Cover Activity
Today you will create a new book cover for The Rag and Bone Shop. You should create a cover that reflects both the plot and themes of the book. Consider the ideas of power, ambition, and manipulation as you determine the themes of the novel. You will also include a summary of the book on the back of your cover. Be sure to draw the reader in, but don’t give away the ending. Your summary should be 7 to 10 sentences long. You can use the markers and crayons in the crates on the shelf under the t.v. Below is the rubric I will use in grading your cover.
Cover / Neat, creative, reflect themes of the novel, includes title and author’s name / 25 pointsSummary / Neatly written in complete sentences, accurately explains basic plot of the book, engages the reader, at least 7 sentences long / 25 points
Teacher comments: / Total score:
What Happens Next?
Write the next chapter to The Rag and Bone Shop. What ultimately happens to Jason Dorrant, Trent, Braxton and Sarah Downes? Does Jason leave the house with that knife and go after BoBo Kelton? You become the author and determine what comes next. You final chapter should be a minimum of two pages long. Be sure you describe the scene, use dialogue, and reveal the thoughts of the characters. Below is the rubric I will use to score your work:
Content / Creative and thoughtful narrative that stays true to the original story. / 25 pointsCorrectness / Work is neatly written with correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. / 25 points
Teacher comments: / Total score:
Character Mandala
Create a character mandala for any of the major characters in the short stories we’ve read. Directions are on the back of this sheet. There are some great examples of mandalas on the back bulletin board. These don’t go with our short stories, but they give you a good sense of how to approach mandalas.
- Completion of brainstorming list –10 points
- Neat, thoughtful artwork – 10 points
- Mandala includes the following
- Sunnyside and shadow side – 10 points
- Quotes from the story – 10 points
- Information from each of the brainstorming questions – 10 points
Post Mortem of a Character
Complete at least 5 of the following body parts for the post reading autopsy for Trent, Jason, Alicia, or Sarah Downs. Place these strategically on the body outline. Write a sentence/claim that describes that particular aspect of the character, and then place a quote to support your assertion. Below the quote, write warrant (an explanation of how your quote supports the claim you made about the character. Use the example of Patrick Maloney to guide you as you work.
Head – Intellectual side of the character—What are his dreams? Visions? Philosophies he keeps inside? / Eyes – Seeing through the character’s eyes—What memorable sights affect him? How? / Ears – Hearing through the character’s ears—What does he notice and remember others saying to him? How is he affected?Nose – Smelling through the character’s nose—What smells affect him? How? / Mouth—The character’s communication—What philosophy does the character believe? What arguments/debates? What song would characterize the character’s philosophy of life? / Arms –Working—What is the character’s relationship to work in general? To specific work?
Hands – The practical side of the character—What conflicts does he or she deal with? How? / Heart – The emotional side of the character—What does he or she love? Hate? Whom? How? / Torso – The instinctive side of the character—What doesn’t he or she like about himself or herself? What does he or she hide? What brings the character pain? What does he or she fear?
Legs – The playful side of the character—What does he or she do for fun? / Feet-The character’s mobility—Where has he or she been? How has he or she been affected by travel or setting? / Wings – The character’s future—Where is he or she going?
Correct and complete body parts – All components for each part are finished! - 10 points each