By Harper Lee
Project Directions
Attention all 2nd Semester 8th Grade Language Arts Students:
You have the wonderful opportunity to read a classic drama about racial tension and coming of age. To Kill a Mockingbird is the story of growing up in the South, and of the South growing up, told through the eyes of a little girl just trying to figure everything out. Read and Enjoy!
· Read To Kill a Mockingbird.
· As you read, answer the critical thinking questions on the next page.
· Critical thinking questions are due by Thursday, February 23.
· After reading the book, complete the newspaper project
· The newspaper project is due by Thursday, March 8.
Name:_______________
To Kill A Mockingbird 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. (The questions generally follow the chapters in the book, so you should be able to answer as you read.) 5 pts. each for a total of 50 pts.
1. Describe the following main characters: Scout, Jem, Dill, Atticus, Calpurnia.
2. According to Miss Maudie, Atticus is “the same in his house as he is on the public streets.” What does that mean?
3. When Atticus asks Scout about the blanket around her shoulders after the fire, what does Jem realize? Explain what Atticus means by telling Jem not to let his realization “inspire ” him to “further glory”?
4. How well does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it usual for (white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama at this time?
5. Jem and Scout have different views about telling people at school how well Atticus can shoot. Explain this difference. Which view is closer to your own?
6. Atticus says that Mrs. Dubose is a model of real courage rather than “a man with a gun in his hand”. What does he mean? Do you think he is right?
7. How well does Mr. Gilmer prove Tom's guilt in the eyes of the reader (you) and in the eyes of the jury? Can you suggest why these might be different?
8. This story is set in the 1930s but was published in 1960. Have attitudes toward racism remained the same or have there been any changes (for the better or worse) since then, in your view? Support your answer with examples.
9. Why does Aunt Alexandra accept that the Cunninghams may be good but are not “our kind of folks”? Do you think that people should mix only with others of the same social class? Are class-divisions good or bad for societies in your opinion?
10. Do you think the sheriff's explanation or Atticus's is more likely to be true concerning what happened to Jem and Scout on Halloween night?
12. What is the significance of the title To Kill a Mockingbird? What does it mean?
To Kill a Mockingbird Newspaper Project
You will be reading this classic novel set in the 1930’s and creating your own newspaper based on its content and time period. You may use any publishing program you need or you may assemble it by hand. However, all written work must be typed. If you need a laptop, please see your sponsor teacher.
Page 1
_____Title of your newspaper Be creative.
_____Date (appropriate to the period in the book)
_____Front Page Photo – Photo should relate to one of the articles in the newspaper and contain a caption beneath the photo. The caption should explain what is happening in the photo.
_____Story about the trial in your book. - Summarize the main events and use quotes if you wish.
Page 2
_____National story about the economy of the period and location OR write about the Depression as it relates to your book.
_____Editorial about the trial. - This is your opinion. Choose to write in support of or against Atticus’ representing a black man in court. (Think about the time in which the novel was written.)
_____Book Review of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Page 3
_____Weather report for Alabama OR Comic Strip - Create a comic strip. Do not use modern comic characters. Create your own characters or research comics from the period.
_____Obituaries of character(s) who died in the book.
_____ “Southern” recipe (For example: Homemade Biscuits, Cornbread, etc.) OR Sports article - Research what national sports existed during this period in history. Write an article about one of the existing sports teams or write an article about one of the school teams on which Dill or Jem may have played.
Other Instructions
Be sure each story has a byline for the author and each page has a page number. Stories should include names of characters from the book. Spelling and grammar need to be checked. You may research some of this work, but be sure all stories are written in your own words. Stories should contain characters and information from the book. Be sure to research the time period in which the book was set. You may find this information on the internet or in one of the US History textbooks at school. Make sure you save often. Pages in the newspaper may be longer than required here.
Ask for help at any time. Get Busy Reading and Have Fun
To Kill a Mockingbird Grading Sheet
Grading Sheet
5 pts per day late will be taken off you final grade
Name:_____________________ Date turned in:___________________
___ Critical Thinking Questions (out of 50 pts)
___ Newspaper Projects (out of 100)
___ Title appropriate for a newspaper (out of 1 pt.)
___ Date appropriate to the time period of the book (out of 1 pt.)
___ Front page picture related to an article complete with a caption (out of 3 pts)
___ Story about the trial is an effective summary of events (out of 10 pts.)
___ National story is well-researched and appropriate to the time period (out of 10 pts.)
___ Editorial effectively states your opinion about the trial with appropriate support (out of 10 pts.)
___ Book review effectively covers why you did or did not like the book and gives it some sort of rating (out of 10 pts.)
___ Weather report or comic strip is complete and appropriate to time and place (out of 10 pts.)
___ Obituaries include all people who died during the book and a brief summary of those characters (out of 10 pts.)
___ Southern recipe or Sports article is complete and appropriate for the time period (out of 10 pts.)
___ Effectively follows directions – author, by-line, etc. (out of 2 pts.)
___ Free from conventional and grammar mistakes. (out of 3 pts.)
___ Appropriate sentence fluency, word choice, and voice (out of 15 pts.)
___ Final product is neat and organized (out of 5 pts.)
___ TOTAL (out of 150 pts)
Comments: