Billboard 2.o for Walter Dean Myer's "Monster"

Subject Area(s):

• K-12: Language Arts
• Art Connections
• K-12: Technology

Grade Level(s):

• 7th-8th Grade

Description:

This lesson is meant to be used as a culminating activity for eighth grade students who have read the book Monster, by Walter Dean Myers. The students will be utilizing a new Web 2.0 application called Glogster to aesthetically convey information about the themes of the story as an alternative to (or in addition to) the traditional written book review. The format of the project is designed to be used as a platform that will help students connect and respond to the deeply emotional aspects of this story. The story itself is not written in traditional format, rather it is displayed as a screenplay, which invites a more theatrical response from the reader.

Goals & Objectives:

Instructional Goals:   

·        Eighth grade students will use creative and artistic formats to express personal learning.

·        Eighth grade students will access information effectively and efficiently.

·        Eighth grade students will use a web 2.0 tool to present information and express emotion.

·        Eighth grade students will become familiar with the navigation of a specific website.

Learning Objectives: 

·        Students will be ale to create a billboard for the opening of the movie version of Monster

·        Students will apply at least two literary themes from the story, Monster, to their billboard.

·        Students will access Glogster and include at least two media elements (video, sound, text, graphics, photos,etc) in their billboard

·        Students will be able to demonstrate a successful upload when prompted by the TL.

Materials:

• Collection of movie posters to display
• Movie trailer for Monster by Walter Dean Myers (several versions can be found on YouTube)
• Computers with Internet access and projector
• Computers with Internet access for student use
• Suggested: ELA teacher can develop a rubric for grading posters' ability to convey literary themes

Procedures:

see supporting files

Assessment:

See supporting files

Supporting Files:

• Monster_billboard_LP.doc
  

Standards:

National Information Literacy Standards (K-12)

Pursues information related to personal interests.

• Designs, develops, and evaluates information products and solutions related to personal interests.

Appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information.

• Develops creative products in a variety of formats.

Practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology.

• Respects the principles of intellectual freedom.
• Uses information technology responsibly.

Information Skills and Subskills (K-16)

Organization

• Organizes final information for presentation

Presentation

• Assembles organized information for presentation
• Presents results
• Subject: Art Connections

National Content Standards (K-12)

• Understands connections among the various art forms and other disciplines
• Subject: K-12: Language Arts

Writing

• Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process

Reading

• Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process
• Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of literary texts

Listening and Speaking

• Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes

Media

• Understands the characteristics and components of the media
• Subject: K-12: Technology
• Understands the nature of technological design
• Understands the nature and operation of systems
• Knows the characteristics and uses of computer software programs