Speak Final Projects

You will be required to present final projects dealing with Speak. Each project is worth 100
points and is due March 25, 2010. We will have two working days in class, but you will have to
do outside work to complete them. These projects are thoughtful and creative and should reflect
what youve learned from the novel as a whole. On Friday, March 25, you will present your work
to the class and explain its relevance to the novel.
All written portions of assignments should be typed, double-spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman
font.

List of projects (pick one):

1. Symbolism Design: For the entire year, Melinda attempts to make a tree into art that
speaks to people. Pick an object (like Melindas tree) to represent the novel. Make a
graphic representation of this symbol to signify its relevance to the story. This graphic
representation may be a drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, or digital design. Then,
write a short paper explaining the significance of the symbol and how your graphic
representation relates to the text (minimum 100 words).
2. Poetry: Melinda hangs up a poster of revered poet and novelist Maya Angelou in her
closet and references her work throughout the novel. Write three short poems (8-10 lines
each) or one long and one short poem (equivalent of 30 lines total), in the form of your
choosing about the novel, a theme, or one or more of the characters. Then, write a short
paper (minimum 100 words) explaining how the poems are connected to the novel.
3. Music: Poetry and music often go hand-in-hand. Make a CD of 5 songs that represent the
themes/characters/events in the story. Write one paragraph per song explaining the
relationship between the songs and the novel. These paragraphs should show that you
understand the themes and how they are connected to the lyrics of the songs you chose.
4. Comic Strip: Visuals and imagery play a key role in this novel. Create a comic strip (1012 panes) that illustrates a major event in the novel. Write one paragraph explaining why
you chose that event as the most important in the novel (minimum 50 words).
5. Social Media: Speak was published in 1999, but many the events still happen today.
Readers often find Melinda relatable and timeless. Create a fake Twitter page for
Melinda. Create a total of twenty tweets from the perspective of Melinda. Focus on how
she feels, what she thinks, what she wanted to say at certain points in the novel, and how
she relates to other characters. Include pictures and links when necessary. Cite which
pages and events these tweets are referencing.

Project Rubrics
Each project will be graded on:

Content (novel plot/themes) understood, follows guidelines

Writing assignment address requirements, well-developed, correct format
Proofed for conventions, well-organized, neat

Points will be awarded if the project meets expectations and shows care and pride in the work.
Points will be deducted if it deviates from expectations or needs attention to detail, accuracy,
and/or quality.
Content
and
Knowledg
e

Creativity

1
Student does
not use
content
relevant to
their project.
Student does
not
understand
their content
and cannot
defend their
choices.

2
Student has
some relevant
content but
many elements
that do not fit
their project.
Student has
vague
knowledge of
their project,
but cannot
defend all their
choices.

3
Student has
relevant
content and
expresses an
understanding
of the novels
themes and
usage of
figurative
language.
Student is able
to defend their
choices in
content using
background
knowledge
and textual
evidence.

Student
expresses
little to no
creativity.

Student
expresses
some creativity
that is
undeveloped.

Student
expresses
creativity that
makes their
project unique
and relevant.
Student uses
creativity that
compliments

4
Student
expresses a clear
and vivid
understanding of
their content.
Student shows a
complete
understanding of
the novels
themes and
usage of
figurative
language and are
able to represent
it well in their
project. Student is
able to defend
their choices in
content using
textual evidence,
background
knowledge, and
their own
creativity.
Student
expresses
creativity that
makes their
project unique
and relevant.
Student uses
creativity that
compliments their

their content
and
knowledge.

Organizati
on

Student has
no visible
organization
pattern

Student has a
slight
organization
pattern that
they do not
always follow.

Student has a
clear
organization
pattern
throughout
their project.

Mechanic
s

Student has
more than
four grammar
and/or
punctuation
mistakes.

Student has
three to four
grammar
and/or
punctuation
mistakes.

Student has
one or two
grammar
and/or
punctuation
mistakes.

content and
knowledge.
Student develops
a unique project
by expanding the
examples given in
the assignment
sheet.
Student has a
clear organization
pattern
throughout their
project. This
organization
pattern
compliments their
presentation and
adds creativity to
the assignment.
Student has no
grammar and/or
punctuation
mistakes.

Projects fulfill:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text
leaves matters uncertain.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.2
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development
over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to
produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.6
Analyze a case in which grasping a point of view requires distinguishing what is directly
stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement).