Gift of the Magi Choice Board

After reading, The Gift of the Magi, you are to complete 2 activities from the choice board. The first activity is due Friday, December 11; the second is due Wednesday, December 16. Most of the work will be completed in class, but you may need to spend some time working on the assignments at home. Except for basic drawing supplies, you are responsible for all supplies and/or research necessary for completion.

The rubric for each of the activities will consist of 1) Following directions; 2) Creative interpretation of assignment; 3) Mechanics and Grammar; 4) Colorful/Neat presentation.

1. Make a picture dictionary using the fifteen vocabulary words. Write the word with its definition and an illustration that represents it. The illustration should be neat and colorful. / 2. Pick a scene from the story and create a puppet show. You may work with a partner if you choose. Write the script, make a backdrop, design your puppets, and be ready to perform for the class.
3. Create a diorama of your favorite scene using a box and scrap materials. You will be presenting your diorama to the class with an explanation of why this is your favorite scene. / 4. Christmas/Holiday customs from around the world. Research a country of your choice (other than the USA). Your report should include the country, folklore, customs, and traditional foods. You may present this as a written report, on a science board, or in a power point/movie maker presentation.
5. Coming Attraction! The Gift of the Magi is coming to a theater near you. Design either a promotional poster on a poster board or video tape a trailer. Include the title, author, and the starring roles. Illustrate or act out a scene with a brief synopsis of the story. If you are taping, try to include appropriate background music. / 6. Into the Future. Rewrite the story placing the setting in modern times. Be sure to make reference to current trends, news, costs, etc. Your story will still include the plot, setting, and conflict. If you choose, you may work with a partner, create a script, and perform the scene in class.
7. Favorite Song. Find the lyrics to your favorite song. Rewrite the lyrics into poetry format. Mount the poem neatly and decoratively on a sheet of paper. Write a paragraph explaining why this is your favorite song and find at least 3 examples of figurative language in the song. / 8. Make a comic strip. Rewrite the story as a comic strip. Be sure to include all of the important elements of plot, setting, and conflict. You may choose to keep the original setting, or you may update the story to a more current time period.

***If you have another idea for a project, come see me. I’m always interested in great new ideas!