Final Project-The Circus of YOUR Dreams
Introduction
The question that we are working on for this unit is “How can literature be a vehicle for social change?”. By reading this novel, I hope that you have noted how through its travels, The Circus has changed the people it comes into contact with it. It altered the lives of the creators and children, it has gained a group of followers, has spread magic worldwide, and has changed the worldview of its customers through it’s illusions, mystical tents, and atmosphere. Chandresh’s dream of the circus evolved into a magical concept that touched the lives of many. Well, now it’s YOUR turn to create the circus of your dreams.
The Assignment
In groups of five, you will create a circus. You need to include any element that would be important to you and the circus you plan to create. This could include what acts that are going to perform, tents, types of food, the costumes your performers will wear, what animals will be included, the color scheme, attractions, or anything else you could think of. Use your dream journals to help inspire your groups tent, taking the most outstanding bits of each group member’s journal to create one big, harmonious dream. The elements can be magical such as the wishing tree or the ice garden, cultural in that you serve different food or present different animals, or thought provoking such as the fortune teller or the pool of tears. You also need to include a map, model, or a digital map of how your circus will be set up. In addition, you need to include four newspaper reviews of your circus from the point of view of an outsider. Finally, you need to come up with a five to ten minute informal presentation explaining your circus to the entire class in which everyone must speak. You can create a poster, visual, Prezi, or powerpoint to help you but it is not required. In addition, you must explain how your circus works to promote social change.
You will get time to work on this in class. There will be time set aside for in-class group work as well as time reserved for the computer lab. Some of the elements will also be completed as assignments throughout the unit, and you will be able to use these in your final project. It will be due on Day 30 of the unit and you will need to be ready to present at this time.
Final Paper
In addition to the group presentation, each person needs to write a four page minimum rationale and explanation of your circus. You must touch on each element of your circus, explain why you chose it, and MOST IMPORTANTLY explain how the elements that you chose move to create social change. In addition, you must answer as a whole how the circus you and your group created moves to change society. You can reference the book for examples or any other websites or outside sources you need, but each outside source must be cited properly and included in a Works Cited page. You may work on your ideas as a group, but each person needs to submit their own assignment. This will also be due on Day 30 of the Unit.
Requirements
o 5-10 Elements (Tents, acts, etc.)
o 5-10 Extras (Food, costumes, etc.)
o Map/Model
o 4 Reviews
o Evaluation of Group Members
Project Worksheet
The question that we are working on for this unit is “How can literature be a vehicle for social change?”. By reading this novel, I hope that you have noted how through its travels, The Circus has changed the people it comes into contact with it. It altered the lives of the creators and children, it has gained a group of followers, has spread magic worldwide, and has changed the worldview of its customers through it’s illusions, mystical tents, and atmosphere. Chandresh’s dream of the circus evolved into a magical concept that touched the lives of many. Well, now it’s YOUR turn to create the circus of your dreams.
The Assignment
In groups of five, you will create a circus. You need to include any element that would be important to you and the circus you plan to create. This could include what acts that are going to perform, tents, types of food, the costumes your performers will wear, what animals will be included, the color scheme, attractions, or anything else you could think of. Use your dream journals to help inspire your groups tent, taking the most outstanding bits of each group member’s journal to create one big, harmonious dream. The elements can be magical such as the wishing tree or the ice garden, cultural in that you serve different food or present different animals, or thought provoking such as the fortune teller or the pool of tears. You also need to include a map, model, or a digital map of how your circus will be set up. In addition, you need to include four newspaper reviews of your circus from the point of view of an outsider. Finally, you need to come up with a five to ten minute informal presentation explaining your circus to the entire class in which everyone must speak. You can create a poster, visual, Prezi, or powerpoint to help you but it is not required. In addition, you must explain how your circus works to promote social change.
You will get time to work on this in class. There will be time set aside for in-class group work as well as time reserved for the computer lab. Some of the elements will also be completed as assignments throughout the unit, and you will be able to use these in your final project. It will be due on Day 30 of the unit and you will need to be ready to present at this time.
Final Paper
In addition to the group presentation, each person needs to write a four page minimum rationale and explanation of your circus. You must touch on each element of your circus, explain why you chose it, and MOST IMPORTANTLY explain how the elements that you chose move to create social change. In addition, you must answer as a whole how the circus you and your group created moves to change society. You can reference the book for examples or any other websites or outside sources you need, but each outside source must be cited properly and included in a Works Cited page. You may work on your ideas as a group, but each person needs to submit their own assignment. This will also be due on Day 30 of the Unit.
Requirements
- Presentation of Circus
o 5-10 Elements (Tents, acts, etc.)
o 5-10 Extras (Food, costumes, etc.)
o Map/Model
o 4 Reviews
o Evaluation of Group Members
- Final Paper (4 Pages Minimum)
- Explanation of elements
- Rationale
- How element helps to enact social change
- How does your circus create social change?
Project Worksheet