Grade: 8

Subject: Reading

Topic: Literature Circles

Submitted by D. Theisinger

2/27/2008

Performance Task: Literature Circles

Task 1:

Your novel has inspired a movie, complete with soundtrack. Knowing you’re a musical genius, the producers of the movie have chosen you to craft the soundtrack.

Write an original song inspired by your novel. Use at least three of the following figurative language devices: allusion (This should be easy! Refer to your novel!), simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, idiom, and symbolism. Your song should also use at least two vocabulary words from your novel. Then, create CD cover art that includes the original, creative titles of the other songs on your hit CD.

Bonus points will be awarded for including important quotes and a plot summary in your liner notes.

Task 2:

Choose a scene from your novel to act out. Make sure there’s room for you to write some of the dialogue – find a place where the author left something to your imagination.

You’ll need to incorporate three of the following figurative language devices: simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, idiom, symbolism, and hyperbole. Your scene should also use at least two vocabulary words from your novel.

You may work with up to two other people if the scene requires extras – or you can go solo and deliver a monologue. The choice is yours, but make sure it is aligned with the novel!

Bonus points will be awarded for dressing in costume and/or creating a backdrop for your scene that is aligned with the setting of your novel.

(You may also choose to produce your skit outside of class and present a video recording to the class.)

Task 3:

Create a poster or other creative display to present to the class. Make sure you incorporate a plot summary, character descriptions, an evaluation of the novel, and analysis of its theme. Use at least two vocabulary words from your novel when completing these components.

Also, you’ll need to find examples of three different figurative language devices within the pages of your novel. Neatness and use of colorful, unique materials are expected and will be rewarded!

Oral Presentation Rubric :

Literature Circles Performance Task

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Understanding of Task	Student demonstrates clear understanding of task; all elements are represented.	Student demonstrates some understanding of task; most elements are represented.	Student shows little understanding of task; several elements are misrepresented or absent.	Student shows no understanding of task.
Understanding of Literature Circle Roles	Presentation shows exceptional evidence of at least three of the literature circle roles used in class.	Presentation shows adequate evidence of at least three of the literature circle roles used in class.	Presentation shows some evidence of at least three of the literature circle roles used in class, but evidence is not easy to locate.	Presentation shows evidence of less than three of the literature circle roles used in class.
Understanding of Figurative Language Devices	Provided three examples of figurative language devices from the designated list. Correctly identified the devices.	Provided at least three examples of figurative language devices from the designated list, but at least two examples are the same device. Correctly identified the devices.	Provided at least two examples of figurative language devices from the designated list. Correctly identified the devices.	Provided at least one example of a figurative language device from the designated list. Correctly identified the device.
Understanding of New Vocabulary	Used at least two vocabulary words from the novel correctly and in the context of original, informative sentences.	Used at least two vocabulary words from the novel correctly and in context, but sentences were either unoriginal or uninformative.	Used at least two vocabulary words from the novel, but words were used incorrectly.	Did not use at least two vocabulary words from the novel.
Preparedness	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.	Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
Bonus	Student went above and beyond expectations. Presentation and product are exceptional. Bonus requirements were met.	Student went above and beyond expectations. Presentation and product are above average. Bonus requirements were met.	Presentation and product met expectations. Bonus requirements were met.	Presentation and product met expectations. Some attempt was made to meet bonus requirements.