By S.E. Hinton

Project Directions

Attention all 2^nd Semester 7^th Grade Language Arts Students: For duplicate information, go to the SSLC website, click on “Southwest Secondary Learning Center,” click on “Blue,” click on “Language Arts Novel Projects,” and click on the semester of language arts you are currently taking.

          You have the wonderful opportunity to read a classic written in the 1960’s.  The Outsiders was written during a time of social unrest from the perspective of a teenager growing up in a rough neighborhood.  In fact, the author was herself just a teenager when she wrote it.  Read and Enjoy!

· Read The Outsiders.

· As you read, answer the critical thinking questions on the next page. 

· Critical thinking questions are due by Thursday, February 16.

· After reading the book, choose one project from the project list.

· Book projects are due by Thursday, March 1.

Name:_______________

The Outsiders Critical Thinking Questions

Directions:  Choose 10 of the 11 following questions to answer.  These questions should make you think and your answers should reflect careful thought.  Please type your answers in COMPLETE SENTENCES and answer all parts of each question.  I am looking for critical thinking.  (5 pts. each for a total of 50 pts.)

1.  Describe what makes a person a Soc.

2.  What makes a person a Greaser?

3.  Describe the conflict between the Socs and the Greasers.

4.  Why does Johnny carry a blade?

5.  How do Ponyboy’s and Soda’s relationships with Darry differ?

6.  Do Johnny and Ponyboy change after the fire?  How?

7.  Why is it important for Greasers to win the rumble?

8.  What lesson does Ponyboy learn during this book?  How does he learn it?

9.  Pretend you are a counselor.  How would you help the Socs and the Greasers overcome their problems?

10.  Do the characters seem real to you?  Why or why not?  Could the events that happened in this book happen in Albuquerque today?  Why or why not?

11.  If you had to give this book a grade, what would it be and why?

Directions:  Choose one project after reading The Outsiders.  (Neatness and creativity count.)

Writing

• Write an another chapter with an alternate ending for the book.  Your chapter must be at least two pages, double-spaced, and in 12-point font.

 Drama

• Write a script that would turn a scene from the book into a play. 
• Choose part of the novel to act out.  You don’t have to memorize it, but it must be performed well.  Video record your performance. (Not the violent parts!)

Art:

• Create a picture time line of ten events from the book.  Write at least a sentence for each picture explaining why that scene is important in the book. 
• Build a model of either Ponyboy’s neighborhood or the church where he and Johnny hid.  Use descriptions from the book to help you.

Music/Poetry:

• Compose a song, rap, or poem that introduces and explains 5 of the characters.
• Create a 15 - 20 line poem explaining a moral or lesson we can learn from reading this book.

Logic

• Watch the movie “The Outsiders”.  Create a Venn diagram to explain the similarities and differences.  You must have ten items in each part of the Venn Diagram.  This should be done so that is can be displayed (small poster, etc.)

The Outsiders

Grading Sheet

(Fill out which projects you are doing and turn this form in with your projects.)

5 pts. per day late will be taken off you final grade.

Name:_____________________     

___ Critical Thinking Questions (out of 50 pts)

___ Project ______________________________ (out of 50 pts)

          ___ Follows instructions (out of 5 pts)

          ___ Neat and organized (out of 5 pts)

          ___ Shows a complete understanding of the book (out of 30 pts)

          ___ Free from grammar and spelling errors (out of 5 pts)

          ___ Creativity (out of 5 pts)

___ TOTAL (out of 100 pts)