Monday, November 28, 2011

Hunger Games Projects due Friday December 9th!

Make sure your projects are thorough, and that you show me your critical thinking skills!!

Here are your options:

1. Construct a tourist brochure for one of the following locations in the novel (or choose your own location). Your objective is to encourage people to visit this place. Be as accurate as possible (though you may add details that may not have been disclosed in the novel, as long as it doesn’t take away from the facts in the story). Make sure to include:
-illustrations that accurately depict what this location looks like
-description of what the location is like
-reasons why people should choose your location as a travel destination
(you can be sarcastic or do this as a parody, if you’d like)
Locations (or choose one of your own):
-District 12
-The Capitol
-The Arena

2. Choose at least three meals from the novel and research the history & symbolism of the foods. Relate them to the story. How does the symbolism of the food foreshadow or reveal information about an event or character?

3. Compare/contrast the 74th annual Hunger Games with another reality TV show, such as Survivor. (You should choose a TV show you are familiar with for this project.) Make sure to include the following:
-How the two “shows” are alike
(include the before/after, such as the interviews, training, presentation of victors, prizes, etc.)
-How the two “shows” are different
(include the before/after, such as the interviews, training, presentation of victors, prizes, etc.)
-Contrast the contestants’ interactions with one another (alliances, strategy, etc.)
-Discuss the roles behind the scenes (mentors, coaches, family members, etc.)

4. Create a marketing campaign for one of the tributes. The goal is to get as many sponsors as possible, so make sure to focus on the character’s skills and strengths. Your campaign should include three of the following:
-30 second TV commercial (script)- REQUIRED
-Magazine advertisement
-Press release article
-Billboard poster

5. Read about the Greek myth of Theseus, and how Crete demonstrated its power over Athens by demanding that 14 Athenian children be given up to the Minotaur every seven years. (Some sources say every nine years.) Then compare the story with The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins was inspired by this myth as she was writing. Can you find sources of her inspiration in the story? Based on your research, predict what will happen next.
Helpful Sources:
http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/entries/theseus.html)
http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/greek-mythology.php?deity=THESEUS
http://greece.mrdonn.org/theseus.html
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/religion/myths/theseus.htm

6. Research at least three different types of plants from the novel. Learn about their history & symbolic significance. Relate them to the story. How does the symbolism of the plant foreshadow or reveal information about an event or character?

7. Write an historical article detailing Panem's history, wars, etc. and infrastructure. Explain the relationship between the different districts and what resources they use to survive. Include an analysis of the Capitol's power over the other districts and the nature and function of the Hunger Games. You may have to infer some of this information from what we learned in the novel.

8. Pretend you are Atala, the head trainer of the Games. Create a survival guide for the tributes. Using accurate information from the novel, you must include:
-A list of supplies (10 minimum) and the benefits of each one
-A list of the best strategies to survive the Games
-Pictures or other visual aides
This can be done in the form of a slideshow presentation, a brochure, or a video.

9. Re-read the Meadow Song Katniss sings to Rue. Critique it as a poem, looking for symbolism and other literary devices and clues or foreshadowing. After your critique, think about songs from your childhood. Choose one to compare with the Meadow Song. Are there any similarities? Critiques should be at least one page each. Then write an original children’s song or poem that reference themes, events, characters, or symbols.

10. In Hunger Games, there are creatures called Mutations (Mutts). These are animals that have been genetically altered to create an animal that could be used as a weapon. Two examples of this are the Jabberjay (which later mated with the mockingbird to become the Mockingjay) and the Tracker
Jackers (killer wasps). Create five “animal weapons.” Choose animals from a variety of groups
(birds, mammals, insects, etc.). Describe the new animal (appearance, habitat, food, lifespan) and what purpose it has as a weapon. Cite researched facts to back up your creation. Include illustrations.

11. As shocking and barbaric as the Hunger Games seem, they are quite similar to the times of the Roman Empire and the gladiators. Make comparisons of the Hunger Games society and customs to three of the following:
-The Roman Empire and the gladiators of the Coliseum
-The Marathon Dances during the Depression Era
-A slave plantation
-Modern-day television games such as Survivor

12. Are you a fan of graphic novels or comic books? Take five chapters from The Hunger Games and create and design a “comic” depicting those Chapters in at least 25 frames. Please include visuals, dialogue, and captions – as appropriate –remember this is a comic book. You can create it with paper and pen/pencil or use design software such as Comic Life, Microsoft Publisher (or in Word or Powerpoint), Adobe InDesign, or iWork’s Pages or Keynote.

13. Almost everyone appearing in the story has some responsibility for the deaths of those who participate in the Games. In your opinion who is most at fault (including--but not limited to--the participants, those in charge of the Games, or those who watch the Games on television)? In the role of a prosecutor, write your closing argument convincing the jury that the person on trial should be held accountable for the deaths. Give at least THREE examples evidencing your point as to who is at fault. Remember, you must be persuasive.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Hunger Games Fun


COULD YOU SURVIVE ON YOUR OWN, 
IN THE WILD, 
WITH EVERYONE FIGHTING AGAINST YOU?

Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence.

If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.









Hunger Games Schedule

Here a glimpse into the rest of the semester.  If you miss a day, you must catch up with your reading on your own, and come to class prepared.  Take care of my books!

Wednesday 11/09 - Chapter 1 in class, Chapter 2 for homework
Thursday 11/10 - Chapter 3 in class, Chapter 4 for homework
Friday 11/11 - Chapter 5 in class

Monday 11/14 - Chapter 6 in class, Chapter 7 for homework
Tuesday 11/15 - Chapter 8 in class, Chapter 9 for homework
Wednesday 11/16 - Chapter 10 in class, Chapter 11 for homework
Thursday 11/17 - Chapter 12 in class (Cap. and Vocab. Quiz), Chapter 13 for homework
Friday 11/18 - Class Reenactment of Hunger Games

Thanksgiving Break 11/19 - 11/27

Monday 11/28 - Chapter 14 in class, Chapter 15 for homework
Tuesday 11/29 - Chapter 16 in class, Chapter 17 for homework
Wednesday 11/30 - Chapter 18 in class, Chapter 19 for homework
Thursday 12/1 - Chapter 20 in class, Chapter 21 for homework
Friday 12/2 - Chapter 22 in class , Class Reenactment of Hunger Games

Monday 12/5 - Chapter 23 in class, Chapter 24 for homework
Tuesday 12/6 - Chapter 25 in class, Chapter 26 for homework
Wednesday 12/7 - Chapter 27 in class (Vocab. Quiz)
Thursday 12/8 - Reading Quiz on Part III of HG
Friday 12/9 - Reading Project Due (100 pts.)

Study Guide Week 12/12-12/15

Final Exams
Friday 12/16 - 2A and 3A exams
Monday 12/19 (Dismissal at 11:30) - 2B and 3B exams
Tuesday 12/20 (Dismissal at 11:30) - 4A and 5A exams
Wednesday 12/21 (Dismissal at 11:30) - 4B and 5B exams