To Kill a Mockingbird

Project Choices

 

Date Due: November 1, 2007

Worth 40 points

 

**Note:  When you quote passages from a book, always give the page number using MLA style.

 

1.         Express your ideas about the meaning of the book’s title in a poem, poster, or song.  If you choose to write a poem or song, it must be original, and it must be written neatly and decorated.  Be prepared to share your poem or lyrics or perform your song.

 

2.         Create the front page of the Maycomb weekly newspaper during Tom Robinson’s trial.  Include coverage of the trial and other articles that reflect the attitudes and lifestyle of the townspeople.  Include at least four articles.  (Or, create a video depicting the Maycomb evening news cast during Tom Robinson’s trial.  Again, include at least four stories.)

 

3.         Harper Lee describes several places in Maycomb, such as the Radley house and the courtroom.  Make a map of Maycomb OR create a detailed drawing or model of one particular location.  Include quotations (at least one) from the book that you used as the basis for your drawing/model/map, and if you make a map, be sure to include a legend for the map.  Also include a paragraph explaining why you chose to illustrate this location or make the map.  Why were locations important in this novel?

 

4.         Illustrate the personality of one of the characters in the book—either by drawing a portrait or making a collage.  Include quotations (at least two) from the book to help illustrate the character’s personality.

 

5.         Many characters in the novel take a stand for something they believe in.  Choose one of those characters and write three journal entries (one page each) that describe that person’s decision and its consequences.  Be sure to write in that particular character’s “voice” and dialect.

 

6.         Compare an incident in To Kill a Mockingbird with a current event.  You can explain the similarities in an essay or on a poster.  Be sure to give lots of details.

 

7.         In Chapter 3, Atticus tells Scout, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”  Make a collection (at least four) of the wise sayings of Atticus Finch. Illustrate your sayings.

 

8.         Tom Robinson tries to escape because he believes that the justice system will never treat him fairly.  Do statistics about how African Americans were sentenced during the 1930s support his belief?  Present your findings in a chart or spreadsheet.  Be sure to list your sources of information.

 

9.         Watch the movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird (black and white, starring Gregory Peck) and write a comparison/contrast paper.  The paper should be at least 1 ½ pages typed (12 point, double-spaced) and should include as many specific details as possible.  Be sure to discuss both similarities and differences.  You conclusion should explain which version you prefer and why.