Synthesis Project

Start working on your synthesis project and continue reading The Bean Trees

The Bean Trees – Synthesis Presentation

                                                                                                                                       

Task:  To portray your understanding of Kingsolver’s novel The Bean Trees in an original way, through a presentation to the class.

Requirements:

• This is an open project.  Be creative and have fun!  Select a medium of presentation that will highlight your unique insights about some aspect of the novel.
• The more creative the presentation, the better!
• Your presentation should take no more that 10 minutes and MUST include your visual aid (video, photographs, PowerPoint, 3-D Objects, etc.)
• You will only turn in the visual – no other work will be collected!
• You may choose to work alone, or with a maximum of three other students.

Grading:

• Your presentation will be scored according to the effectiveness of the following:
• Use of time (10 minutes) and the oral presentation of your material
• Visual Aid
• Effort and Polish
• Originality and creativity
• Insights, depth of understanding, and grasp of the novel.

Ideas/Suggestions/Hints:

The ideas below are just suggestions!  Please feel free to select a method of presentation that excites you.  The assignment was designed to offer you the freedom of choice – it’s a student-driven presentation – HAVE FUN!

·         ABC’s of Parenting – Friendship Handbook

• A how-to handbook for parents and/or friends based upon you own advice.  You may also incorporate the advice of the protagonists in the novel.  Maybe incorporate quotations, create “pictures” from the novel, advice from your parents, grandparents.  Create your own handbook.

·         A Symbolic Travel Brochure

• Show Taylor’s metaphoric journey (development) from the time that she leaves Kentucky to the end of the novel.  Do as a storyboard with symbolic visual.  Possibly a shoebox with items that reflect her growth.  Show her transformation and include quotations.

·         A Character Journal or Memory Book

• Select a character and include artifacts, memories, pictures, photographs, quotations, anecdotes to reflect the character’s “life” in the book.  For example, what would Lou Ann or Taylor put in their memory book?

·         A CD of Songs/DVD/PowerPoint

• Put some pictures to music that correspond to the themes, characters, action, allusions to the novel.  Which songs best reflect the meaning of the novel?

·         A Children’s Book

• Create your own picture book for children based upon the ideas, character, and events in the novel.

·         A Puppet Theatre/Skit/Video/Interview:

• Re-create a scene and/or show characters in a skit or interview them to reflect their personalities, motives, development, etc.  Use lines from the novel, etc.

·         A Photographic/Picture Essay

• Create a book of photos, pictures with one quotation form each chapter, centered on a single theme to read to the class.  Include and introduction and a conclusion with a picture.  The quotations “comment” on the picture, and vice-versa.

·         A 3-D Symbolic representation or model:

• Include quotation, pictures, artifacts, etc. to highlight a big idea/concern in the novel.

·         A Controversial Issue Speech/Research Speech/Create a Debate Scenario:

• Make a speech presenting your point of view and research on one of the major controversial issues that were introduced in the novel.  (adoption, teen pregnancy, immigration laws, single parenting, Indian reservation, feminism, hardships of being disabled, homelessness, child abuse, etc.)

·         A Stunning Mural:

• Create a mural that wows the audience with its impact!  Include poetry, quotations, pictures, images, symbols, characters, illustration, etc. that reveal your phenomenal insight about the novel.

·         The impact of Advertising/Propaganda:

• Show the impact of advertising on society by including pictures (make a movie?) to show the effects of advertising and slogans.  How are people manipulated by signs/commercial, etc?  Connect those in our society to the advertising in the novel.  Why are we so susceptible to propaganda?

·         Mini Newspaper/Magazine:

• Write articles, advice columns, etc. to share with the class, incorporate the ideas, events, action from the novel.  Editorials?  Ads?  Feature Article?  Investigative Report?

·         Dictionary of Idioms/Slang/Literary Terms:

• Create a dictionary – the ABC’s of Taylor’s world?  Included pictures, quotations, etc. to show the language (regional) of the novel and idiosyncrasies.  Feel free to include the allusions that Kingsolver used throughout the novel.

These are only suggestions, what ideas have you come up with?


CONTESTS:

Poets-to-poets Project at poets. org 

Young Arts 2015 contest applications:  http://www.youngarts.org/apply