Diorama for Historical Fiction

Transcription

1 Name/Number: Diorama for Historical Fiction For our historical fiction book report, you will create a diorama. A diorama is a miniworldan entire landscape in a box. You will create your own little world of model figures that appear as a freeze frame of an important scene from the book and that capture the setting. Here's how to build your diorama: Step 1: Decide on a scale. This is important, because a diorama becomes believable to the extent that it looks real. Choose a focus object or drawing from which to base your scale and the size of other objects. You can also try 1 foot to 1 inchthat's standard for classic miniatures and doll houses. This means that a person and a tree should not be the same size in the diorama. Step 2: Collect your materials. Examples: human and/or animal figures, palm trees, sugar cubes to build an igloo, doll house furniture, and miniature foods. Step 3: Select a background. You can paint or draw your own background or use wallpaper, wrapping paper, or anything else you can find. Remember that the background images should be consistent with the scale you've chosen and should reflect important ideas and the setting from your novel. Step 4: Choose a container. Many children's school projects use cardboard boxes or shoe boxes, but you can use just about anything. It should be light but fairly sturdy, especially because you will need to move the diorama around. You should use a container the size of a shoe box that would contain gym shoes. Using a skinnier box is more difficult. It should be approximately 10 in long, 6 in wide, 6 in high. Step 5: Build your diorama working from the back to the front. Start with the background by creating a horizon (sky/ceiling or ground/floor). Then place large objects such as trees towards the back of the diorama. The smallest objects should be placed the closest to the front. Use glue or putty to secure the objects. Step 6: On a plaque, sign, or any form of attached writing space, describe your scene. A good description should include all of the following: who is in the diorama and a description of the characters the setting (both where and when) a summary of the overall plot (main problem) going on at the time of the scene why your scene is important in this story and how it relates to history Please write this information in whatever order you feel is most clear to your audience. Of course, also include the book title, author, and your name. A classic question we hear from students is How long should this be? We can t see getting by with anything less than a medium sized paragraph. Parents, please support your child in this project by encouraging them to stay on top of their reading as well as the creation of the book project; however, please let the students do the actual work themselves. Thank you! This packet must be completed and turned in with your book report. Due: Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

2 Facts I Have Learned about the 1800's from: Title of Book Payattentiontoscenesinthebookwhereyoucanmakeanespeciallyvividmentalpictureofwhatis happeninginanimportantsetting.jotdownpagenumberswhenthisoccurssothatyoucanbegintothink aboutascenetorecreateinyourdiorama. Pagenumber(s): SceneDescription: Pagenumber(s): SceneDescription: Pagenumber(s): SceneDescription: Pagenumber(s): SceneDescription:

3 "MentalBulletinBoard"abouttheSetting(thewhen/where) Remembertopayextraattentionto,andjotdownnotesabout,thetime(era)andplaceinwhichthebook isset.besuretonoticewhattheplace/timelookslike,howitfeels(emotionalatmosphere),anddetails abouthowtheplacemightbechanging. Inwhattimeperioddoesthestorytakeplace?Howdo youknow?jotdowndetailsthattellyouaboutwhatit wouldbeliketoliveinthistimeperiod. Whatbackgroundknowledgedoyoualreadyhaveaboutthisplace? Wheredoesthestorytakeplace?(Look forcluesaboutthecountry,state,or town.) NameofImportantPlace: Recorddetailsyoulearnabouttheplaceasyouread. Whatdoestheplacelooklike? Whatdoestheplacefeellike? Whatdetailstellhowtheplacemightchange?

4 Characters: "Mental Bulletin Board" about Characters and Plot (the who, what, and why) Name of Character: Details: Pressures or issues the Characters are facing: Name of Character: Details:

5 Sketch of your diorama below. (Use another sheet of paper if you d prefer.) Don t forget to include in your sketch: Background o Connect to time period o Think about indoor or outdoor setting People (not just stick people) o Accessories/props for people o Appropriate clothing for the time period o Objects that define the character Important Objects (You will not use all. It depends on indoor or outdoor.) o Buildings o Tools o Animals o Transportation appropriate for time period o Nature o Furniture Important Tips: Use cardboard to back people and props. Popsicle sticks help prop up things. Use all of your space! Fishing wire can help hang items from the top of the box. Hot glue or rubber cement is best. Be creative!

6 Bibliography Format Author Last Name, Author First Name. Title. City: Publisher, Date. Example: Brown, Carol. Wonders of Sharks. Chicago: Children s Press, Example of Book with Subtitle: McConnell, Frank. Storytelling and Mythmaking: Images from Film and Literature. New York: Oxford UP, Use the checklist to ensure you earn the grade that you want. Initial each step after it is complete. Project labeled with your name Text is typed Use Spellcheck Ask someone to proofread all text Include at least one handdrawn image Look over rubric to make sure all requirements are met IN PENCIL, score yourself using the rubric will proofread my completed project. (name of person)

7 Student Name CATEGORY 5 Excellent 4 Good 3 Fair 2 Insufficient Information Creativity Visuals Grammar Neatness Planning Packet Text provides a meaningful summary of the book. Elements such as: book title, author, genre, main characters, setting, and plot are well written/described. Student also includes additional pieces of information that provide a better understanding of the book. Student uses creativity in linking book information to assigned project. Title of project and project theme relate back to the book. Student creates a unique project by coming up with their own ideas to enhance the assignment. Report includes at least one handdrawn image. All images relate to the book AND project theme. If labels are needed for images, they are provided. Color is used meaningfully to attract attention, highlight certain elements, or in relation to the theme of the book. Text contains 0 grammatical errors (capitalization, punctuation, complete sentences, spelling). Have someone proofread the text! Organization of text and visual elements is well thought out so that space is used meaningfully. Text is typed. The project is visually pleasing. The planning packet is detailed and complete. Text provides a summary of the book. Elements such as: book title, author, genre, main characters, setting, and plot are included. Student uses creativity in linking book information to assigned project. Title of project or project theme relate back to the book. Student creates a unique project by coming up with their own ideas to enhance the assignment. Report includes at least one handdrawn image. All images relate to the book or project theme. If labels are needed for images, they are provided. Color is used but not in a meaningful way. Text contains 12 grammatical errors (capitalization, punctuation, complete sentences, spelling). Have someone proofread the text. Organization of text and visual elements is evident. Text is typed. The project is neat. The planning packet is complete, but could be more detailed in one or two areas. Bibliography The bibliography is present and correct. There are 12 mistakes within the bibliography. Summary of the book is missing 12 of the following elements such as: book title, author, genre, main characters, setting, and plot. Project includes a creative element, but it does not further our understanding of the book. One of the visual elements (handdrawn image, relation to themes, color) is missing from the project. Text contains 34 grammatical errors (capitalization, punctuation, complete sentences, spelling). Have someone proofread the text. Organization of text and visual elements is evident. Text is not typed. The project looks messy. Sections of the planning packet are incomplete. There are 34 mistakes within the bibliography. Summary of the book is missing several of the following elements such as: book title, author, genre, main characters, setting, and plot. Project lacks creativity. More than one of the visual elements (handdrawn image, relation to themes, color) are missing from the project. Text contains more than 4 grammatical errors (capitalization, punctuation, complete sentences, spelling). Project lacks organization and neatness. The planning packet is missing. The bibliography is absent.