Special Projects

      The following special projects were designed by teachers who have already taught the TKM unit earlier in the year.
      1. Keep a Response Log as you read all, or a section of the novel. Reflect on your thoughts and feelings; what confuses or upsets you; your expectations of where the story is going; what you consider significant and why. (Example: On a sheet of paper, write two columns: What do you notice? What do you think about what you noticed?)

      2. In the broadest sense, a novel reflects the viewpoints of the author. Have students discuss this statement: The depiction of AfricanAmericans of the 1930s in TKM, although sensitive to the rank injustices they experienced, is nevertheless a view put forth by a Caucasian who could "get inside of their skin" only vicariously, through empathy. Have students locate and research novels and short stories by African American authors who wrote about life in America between 1920-1940, comparing their viewpoints with those of Harper Lee.

      3. List major episodes in the novel's two parts. Use your list to identify the time of events, shifts in points of view, the relationships of episodes and themes.

      4. Draw a map or make a model of Maycomb and place the characters in their communities.

      5. Create a collage of what you consider important images from the novel.

      6. Create a poster for a new movie based on the book. include pictures of today's actors whom you might cast in the main roles.

      7. Produce a newspaper from Maycomb "then" and "now". Write feature articles on "current events" from the novel, advertisements, editorials, letters to the editor, church news, and obituaries.

      8. If Boo Radley could talk, what do you think he would say? Write an entry in his secret diary.

      9. Find out more about mockingbirds, racism in the judicial system, bartering goods for professional services, the WPA, National Recovery Act (NRA), or another detail from the book that interests you, or a point that aroused your curiosity.
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