(These directions will be given in class on Monday, March 14th)

6th Grade Language Arts

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Final Project Options

*Upon finishing the novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, you will be required to complete one of the projects listed below. You need to be ready to present your project during class on Friday, March 25^th. You will be given time in class to discuss and brainstorm your ideas, and some time to work on these projects in class. All work is expected to be neat, organized, and legible.

Option 1: Choose 15 scenes from the novel to put onto a timeline. Each scene needs a picture and 3‐4 sentences explaining what happened in that scene. Your timeline should be in chronological order of when these events (approximately) would have happened. Scenes need to be colored, and you should be prepared to explain why you chose the scenes pictured. This may be on a poster or other large display board.

Option 2: Create a new book jacket for this novel. You must include a front cover with a neatly illustrated scene from the novel, the author and any awards for this book; an 8-10 sentence summary on the back cover, separated into paragraphs; at least 5 selected quotes from the novel on the inside of the jacket (left side); and an explanation for why you chose those specific quotes on the inside (right), as well as a brief explanation as to why you chose the scene on the front of the cover.  

Option 3: Create a “quilt” of different scenes from the novel. You will use 12 (6‐inch by 6‐inch) squares of construction paper. Choose 12 scenes from the novel (one from each chapter) with one significant quote relating to each scene/event. Draw and color each of these scenes with the related quote onto the paper squares, then arrange the pieces into a “quilt.” They can be glued onto a poster or other large display board.

Option 4:  Choose a historical figure that has been influential in the Civil Rights Movement. Research all about this person and type a 1-2 research paper about his/her life and how they were influential in history. Paper should be at least 2 pages, double-spaced and must include a “Resource” page of the web sites and/or books used to find information.

Option 5:  Pretend that you will interview a character. You will write out the script for the interview, and then perform the role of the character. Your responses must align with how the character would actually act. (Note: I will ask you the interview questions, so this grade is based on how you perform the role of the character.) You must write the script with at least 10 questions about certain scenes from the book. You may have a script with you while performing, but it must be obvious you have read through the script and are prepared for the presentation while you are “playing the role” of that character during the interview.

Option 6: With one other person, choose 4 scenes to act out from the text.  You must be the same character for each of these scenes, so the scenes should be related and ongoing.   For example, you may choose to be Stacey and TJ, Cassie and Lillian Jean, Papa and Mr. Granger, etc.   You will write 1 paragraph (4‐6 sentences) for each scene explaining why you chose it, as well as a paragraph telling how your character changed from the beginning to the end of these scenes.

Option 7: Choose 2 scenes to rewrite as a character other than Cassie.  For example, perhaps rewrite the chapter where Mama gets fired from Mama’s point of view, or the final scenes from TJ’s perspective.  Maintain the character’s point of view that you are writing from.  The scenes you choose should use the same character in each, and each should be about 1 page long.  Be prepared to share what you have written as well as an explanation for why you chose those scenes.

Option 8: List 8-10 major events in the book. Illustrate these events on index cards and write a 1-2 sentence summary for each one at the top of the picture. Attach them to a ribbon or string so they hang in sequential order. This is a visual book report!

Option 9: Think about the story and what has taken place. Choose at least five of the most important scenes from the story. What words would you use to describe the mood of these scenes? (Examples: hatred, frightening, peaceful, funny.) A thesaurus or a dictionary might give you some ideas. Divide a large sheet of construction paper or poster board into those sections, and label each section with the chapter in which the scene occurs. Put your “mood description” under each heading. Next, think of the colors that remind you of those words. For instance, if you wrote down the word “angry,” perhaps the colors dark red, purple, or bright orange come to mind. Write these colors next to your descriptions. (Hint: pastel or light colors are usually considered peaceful, happy, colors. Dark or intense colors are often thought of as relating to intense emotions, such as anger or hatred.) Draw the scene using the colors you felt would relate to the mood of that scene. Pastel chalks work well.

Option 10: When you finished reading the story, did you have some questions that were left unanswered? Well, here’s your chance to make-up an answer for them! You will continue the story by adding whatever you wish to it. Note: This is NOT an alternate ending; you are simply adding to the existing ending. Write or type a two page paper that continues the story. (If you type, you must use size 12, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, please). Be creative and be sure to watch out for grammar and proper punctuation!