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BROMWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (214)
2500 East
Fourth Avenue,
80206-4214
(Columbine Street at East Fourth Avenue)

Telephone:
(303) 388-5969
Fax: (720) 424-9355
E-mail: Bromwell@dpsk12.org

Mr. Jonathan Wolfer, Principal

CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED

Project overview:
You must read a classic novel. You must then select four characters from your novel and create a trading card for each character. The front of the trading card must have an illustration and the back needs to have written information.

What is a classic novel?
A classic novel is not just a good book. Classics make important contributions to our culture. A classic can be defined as a “long-lasting, much-loved” book. Most classics have notable characters who come alive in the imagination of readers, year after year.

What about adaptations, abridgments, or updated versions?
I prefer that you read the original novel, but there may be adapted or abridged versions that are appropriate in keeping the spirit of the original while offering an easier reading-level. Please avoid adaptations that are too simple or easy. Check with me if you are unsure, or have any questions or special requests.

What goes on the front of the card?
The top of the front of the card must display the title of the novel, and the bottom must display the character’s name. The middle must exhibit original artwork that presents the character in illustrated form. You artwork can utilize any medium: colored pencils, magic markers, gel pens, paint, even computer art (as long as it is your original art done on a computer, not using computerized stamps or other pre-drawn stuff). You could even use photographs (of sculptures or toy figures or even real people), or collages, or needlepoint, or whatever else you may prefer. Be creative! Just make sure your work is original.

What goes on the back of the card?
The top of the back of the card should again display the character’s name. The rest of the card should give written information about the character. Specifically, you should write one to three sentences describing the character’s personality traits and then select two quotes from the novel that prove your description is correct. The two quotes must also be shown on the back of your card, with the page numbers that show where the quotes can be found. The information on the back of the card can be typed or handwritten (in cursive or printing) but it must be neat and readable.

What are personality traits, anyway?
Personality traits are the characteristics that make one person different from another person -- or one fictional character different from another fictional character. Personality traits are revealed in the way a person thinks, talks, and acts. They show us who the person “is” deep down inside. A person or a character may have traits that show he or she is good, evil, kind, silly, greedy, irritating, absent-minded, heroic, cowardly, intelligent... or a mixture of several of these! With this project, you’ll not only read a really good book, you’ll demonstrate your ability to think about the characters in that book. It’s an important skill for every reader!

Extra Credit
If you would like to earn extra credit, you may do so by creating four extra cards: one for the setting of the novel and three showing events from the beginning, middle, and end of the story. The front of each card must have the book’s title as well as a descriptive title for the card and an illustration, and the back must have the descriptive title, a short summary, and one descriptive quote (with the page number).

You get an “A” if...
-- Four cards, one character on each card
-- Front of each card contains the title of the novel, character’s name, and artwork
-- Back of each card contains the character’s name, your summary and two quotes from the novel
-- Artwork is strikingly original and well-done
-- Summaries are well-written and insightful
-- Supporting quotes connect with your ideas about the character
-- Supporting quotes cite page numbers
-- The product is overall of high quality

You get a “B” if...
-- Four cards, one character on each card
-- Front of each card contains the title of the novel, character’s name, and artwork
-- Back of each card contains the character’s name, your summary and two quotes from the novel
-- Artwork is good
-- Summaries are well-written
-- Supporting quotes connect with your ideas about the character
-- Supporting quotes cite page numbers
-- The product is overall of good quality

You get a “C” if...
-- Four cards, one character on each card
-- Front of cards contains artwork but is missing the novel’s title or the character’s name (or these are in the wrong places)
-- Back of cards missing one of the following: the character’s name, your summary or two quotes from the novel
-- Artwork is average
-- Summaries are adequate
-- Supporting quotes don’t strongly connect with your ideas about the character
-- Supporting quotes do not cite page numbers
-- The product is overall of average quality