Year 8 Homework Project:
Crime
TASK
As part of this unit of work you will be required to undertake an independent study based on the topic you are studying. This booklet is designed for you to complete on your own to support your knowledge and understanding of this area of English.
How to use this booklet
· You must read each weekly section carefully, and complete the stated number of tasks.
· Tasks can be completed in this booklet, where space allows, on paper or using a PC.
· Make sure that you complete all tasks with as much effort and detail as you possibly can, as you will be awarded an overall level/grade for your independent study.
· You will be required to complete this independent study at home or in the school homework club.
· Your completed homework should be submitted on the following date, in the form of a project:
Week One: Be a Literary Detective
1 Read the extract below, from the Sherlock Holmes story, ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’ by Arthur Conan Doyle.
2 Look carefully through Helen Stoner’s account and spot the important clues she gives about the events that night. There are at least 10 to find. Then fill in what you can work out from each clue (your deduction).
Clue(what happened that night) / Deduction (why this might be important to either the story or to Holmes)
1 Feeling of impending misfortune
2 Stormy night
Continue this table to include 10 clues
Week Two : Cluedo
What do you know about the board game, Cluedo? You need to research the game and find out exactly how it works. You should discover:
1. The basic rules of the game.
2. What a Cluedo board looks like.
3. The names of the main characters.
4. The weapons involved.
Use your research to produce one of the following texts:
· A simple guide to the game of Cluedo aimed at Year 6 pupils. This could be in the form of a PowerPoint presentation or a leaflet.
· A Wikipedia entry for the game of Cluedo.
· A set of instructions to be included in the game – aimed at both adults and children.
Week Three : Mystery Writing
You are now going to write your own crime story, based on the game, ‘Cluedo’.
1. Chose a killer, a victim, a setting and a murder weapon from those in the game.
2. Chose a format for your story. You could chose to write:
a. a short story
b. a comic strip
c. a script for a short film
3. Now produce your story, in the format you have chosen.
Weeks Four and Five: Creating a Game
You are now going to create your own board game, based around the idea of a crime taking place. What you base your game on is up to you, but you could:
· Create an updated version of Cluedo in a modern-day or local setting.
· Create a board game based on a crime or mystery film that you have watched, or a book you have read.
· Base your board game on a video game you have played.
· Create your own board game just from your own imagination.
The choice is yours…
Once you have your idea, you should create your game. There are only three rules:
1. Your game should include a well-designed board.
2. Your game should be on the theme of crime or mystery.
3. Your game should be all your own work…
Enjoy!