Frederick Douglass Academy High School

Frederick Douglass Academy High School English 9 – Ms. Madden Winter Break Project

DUE DATES: Monday, January 4th (Periods 2 & 6); Tuesday, January 5th (Periods 1 & 5)

Over the break you will complete a project that demonstrates your understanding of A Raisin in the Sun. In order to complete these projects your must FINISH THE PLAY.

You can choose which project you’d like to complete out of the following four. The project will be worth 120 points. I’ll be looking to see that you’ve been EFFORT and TIME into the project. Have fun with it! Be creative and show me your brilliance 

All projects must be turned in by the due date. There are no extensions. Late work will not be accepted.

PROJECT CHOICES:

Costume Design Objective: SWBAT create costume sketches for the major characters in A Raisin in the Sun and explain how each costume is symbolic of the character.

The Task: You will draw one costume for the major characters in the play: Mama, Beneatha, Walter, Ruth, George, & Asagai. Each costume should be drawn on a separate sheet of paper. You can use colored pencils, markers, crayons, or paint. On the back of each drawing you should write a paragraph explaining how your costume choices symbolize the character. Use colors, patterns, and style to show the essence of the character.

Grading: You will be graded on effective written analysis, presentation, and costume design.

Younger Family Letters Objective: SWBAT write letters from the perspective of a major character in A Raisin in the Sun.

The Task: You will adopt the persona of a main character in A Raisin in the Sun. You will write four letters from the perspective of that character to other characters in the play. For example, if you choose to write from the perspective of Mama you could write a letter to Beneatha, Travis, Walter, and Mr. Linder. Each letter should be three paragraphs in length. Choose important moments in the play to work into your letters. For example, what would Mama write to Ruth after she discovers her daughter-in-law is pregnant? What might she say to Walter after he looses the money? Your letters should demonstrate a deep knowledge of the characters, the play, and the historical time period.

Grading: You will be graded on the content of the letters, presentation, and knowledge of the character. Journal Entries Objective: SWBAT write journal entries from the perspective of a major character in A Raisin in the Sun.

The Task: You will write five journal entries from the perspective of one character in A Raisin in the Sun (each one should be half a page typed, a whole page written). Your journal entries should discuss the inner thoughts and feelings of the character, thoughts and feelings that might only be hinted at during the play. Make sure to comment on the major events in the story. For example, what would Ruth’s reaction be to the fight she had with her husband in Scene 1? Remember: Since the play takes place over the course a week or so, your character might have written journal entries twice in one day. Your journal entries should demonstrate a deep knowledge of the characters, the play, and the historical time period.

Grading: You will be graded on the content of the letters, presentation, and knowledge of the character.

A Raisin in the Sun II: Objective: SWBAT to write one scene from a sequel to A Raisin in the Sun.

The Task: Now that you have finished the book you will write a scene from an imagined sequel to the play. What would the Younger’s life be like after the play ends? You can choose to set your scene a day, a month, or even years after the story ends. It is up to you. You must write two and a half pages double spaced and include stage directions that both set the scene and show the actors how to act (see how Lorraine Hansberry does this by revisiting the first scene of the play). Your scene should show that you understand the text and the characters.

Grading: You will be graded on presentation, stage directions, and the content of the scene.

Presentation Examples: o Poster board o Report cover o Creative title page o Clear plastic sheets

Your project must look professional, neat, and creative to earn full points.

If you have any questions about your project, please do not hesitate to e-mail me ([email protected]). If you want to do something a little different than what I’ve given you, just make sure you get my approval.