8th grade final assignments on To Kill a Mockingbird

Final Writing on To Kill A Mockingbird


1. A final essay, art project, and vocabulary test are assigned for To Kill a Mockingbird.

Final Writing and Project on To Kill A Mockingbird
1. The theme is the controlling idea beneath the plot, the force behind the characterizations. In Harper Lee’s novel there is not one single theme, but many competing for attention and prominence. Following are some of the themes in the book:
racism, prejudice, bigotry
loss of innocence
isolation and courage
injustice
integrity and/or kindness in the face of injustice
bravery
need to walk in another person’s shoes

Choose one or more of these themes to write about in essay format. The essay should be a five-paragraph essay (can be longer, but not shorter). You may choose 1 theme, you may write about how the different themes are developed in the book, or you may compare two or more themes. In the final essay you MUST include quotes from the book and examples to explain your points of view.
Due dates:
Thursday, Dec. 11th, planning sheet and rough draft.
Monday, Dec. 15th, final essay.
Friday, Dec. 12th. Art Project

Art Project
Choose ONE of the following:
2. Create an art project that represents one of the main themes on which your essay is based. It may be a collage, an assemblage, a painting, a sculpture or a mixed media project. There must be a full paragraph explaining the theme and how the art project represents that theme. (Note: the few sentences most of you wrote for the previous art project were inadequate for that AND will certainly be inadequate for this project).

3. Create an art project that represents a current issue (such as the Jena 6 case, but there are MANY others) that is somehow related to one or more of the issues in the novel. It may be a collage, an assemblage, a painting, a sculpture or a mixed media project. There must be a full paragraph explaining the theme and how the art project represents that theme

4.There will be a vocabulary test on Thursday, Dec. 18th. The vocabulary sections of your packet are your study guide.