Literary Projects

These projects were listed by Fajardo (cited in Fernandez, Paez & Paterno, 2011) in an attempt
to bring about the critical and creative senses of the students. The list provides brief description of each of
the literary projects which also serve as rubrics or guidelines for students to work on.

Journal Entries. With this project, students write their own reactions, feelings, insights about the
events, situations, or ideas in the text. Alternatively, they may also write their journal entries as though
they are one of the characters in the story. On the whole, they can write a general impression/reaction on
the theme/s of the text.

Map Journey. This is apt for stories where journey is important. Students have to trace the
movements of the characters and plot them out in a map, giving short explanations for the reason for the
movement, the main event that transpired in that location and the insights gained by the characters in that
incident. Alternatively, they can make a clay model representing the journey.

Family tree/Socio-gram is particularly effective for stories with many characters. Students have
to trace how the characters are related to one another by drawing a family tree or a socio-gram which
clearly explains the links and the roles of each person in the turn of events.

Cartoon Strip or Storyboard. Students make a cartoon strip or a storyboard of the major
episodes in the protagonist’s life or any of the characters’ life.

Film Clips. If drawing is not for them, then they can pool their friends or classmates together to
role play the gist of the story and capture their interpretation of the text on photo or video format.

Sound Track. For literary pieces that are action-packed or highly emotive, students can choose a
music (with or without lyrics) that will appropriately transmit the overall emotion conveyed by the text.
They should also accompany the project with a written explanation of what happened in the story or the
emotions elicited by the text as well as the reason for their music choices.

Script. Students have to turn a story/drama into a short movie script where all the major events
are included in the script. They should give suggestions on casting Filipino actors who can best portray
the roles.

Epilogue. For open-ended stories, students can write an ending to the story. They have to make
sure that their ending is logical, based on the text, and patterned on the point of view used by the author.

Mock Prognosis. They have to play shrink to the major characters in the story, analyse their
personality and attempt to “cure” them of their personality disorders. Then, they have to write a detailed
psychological report of the main characters.

Newspaper Reports. Students can turn the major incidents in the story into newspaper
accounts. Their final output will be a one-spread newspaper complete with editorial, news, columns, and
features.

Songs (original lyrics and melody, if deemed necessary) which capture the insights of the
characters in the story or the message of the text they have read.

Poems. Student can write poems which capture their insight or the character’s, narrator’s or
persona’s insights.

Lesson Plan. The lesson should show in detail how they will teach the text to their students. The
output should include pre-reading, while-reading and post-reading activities. Also, the students should
include worksheets and other materials necessary.
 For technologically-inclined students, they can also make a Computer Game which simulates the
adventure of the character/s in the story or let players answer trivia questions about the text.

Treasure Box. Students have to submit a treasure box which contains the character’s
memorabilia of the important events that happened in his/her life.

Other Assessment Tools

Peer Quizzes. Students can write their own questions about the content and then quiz each
other. They would also spend time going through the incorrect answers with each other to heighten
their understanding.

5x5 Journal. Journalling has been proven to be one of the best reflection tools around for
learning. Have students journal about the five most interesting ideas they discover during a lesson.
Next, they identify five things that resonate with them about each one and explain why.

Past Postcards. Have students adopt the personality of a historical figure and write a
postcard to another historical figure from the same era. They can discuss a significant event from
history that has just occurred.

Cool Collages. Ask students to make a collage or poster from magazine photos for
demonstrating their understanding of a concept. They can use standard art materials or use apps
designed for drawing.

Talk it Out. Students can host their own talk show and discuss the important points of any
lesson. They write their own questions and answers, and can even play characters of their own
creation.

Daring Doodles. Challenge students to use a drawing rather than words to show
understanding of a concept. This is the perfect exercise for those kids who have difficulty speaking
out in class.

Exploration Table. At the end of class, each student answers the following questions
presented to them on index cards:

 What did we do in class?

 Why did we do it?
 What did I learn today?
 How can I apply it?
 What questions do I have about it?

3-2-1. Have students write or talk about 3 things they learned, 2 things they still want to
learn, and 1 question they have. These values are interchangeable and can be used in different
combinations, or with different questions altogether.
 Four Corners. This is a great way to encourage dynamic movement while learning multiple-
choice questions. Designate each corner of the classroom to represent A, B, C, and D. Students go
to the corner that they believe corresponds with the correct answer.

Traffic Cards. Students create index cards with a large green marker circle on one side and
red on the other. If they are following along and understanding the lesson, the green side of their
card is upright and visible to you. When they do not understand something and need clarification,
they flip the card to show you the red side. Here is an alternative method that can be downloaded for
free and printed on coloured card stock for quick use.

Twitter Board. Students summarize what was learned in a lesson using 140 characters. Pin
small strips of paper to a poster or cork board to resemble a Twitter feed.

Top Ten Lists. Students can write out their ten most important takeaways from a lesson
plan or a class discussion. Encourage them to create lists that are humourous and fun.

Roll the Dice. Put a dice at each desk. At the end of class, each student rolls and briefly
answers aloud a question based on the number rolled:

1. I want to remember …
2. Something I learned today
3. One word to sum up what I learned
4. Something I already knew
5. I’m still confused about …
6. An “aha” moment that I had today

Enthusiasm Example Chart: Here's a great chart for not only collecting feedback but also
introducing scatter plots to students. Students rank what they learned that day and how much they
enjoyed the lessons. They then elaborate on a Post-It, offering details about what they found helpful
to them in having a successful learning day. They can also share what prevented them from having
a fulfilling day. Compile the data and discuss it in class the next day.

Quick Quotables: Have students create two columns on a piece of paper. On one side have
them write 5 or 6 of their most favourite quotes from people they admire. In the adjoining column,
have them write their own interpretation of the what the quote means to them and why it appeals to
them. If they’re feeling good about it, have them consider what makes a great quote as they write
their own about ideas that are important to them.

Alternative Reading Assessments

Bookmark: Create a bookmark to match the theme of the last book read.

Time capsule: Put together a group of 5 things from the story of the week.

Stuffed animal: Students can make a stuffed animal that matches the theme of the story
read.

Business card: Summarize the story by designing a business card (this will be harder than it
sounds).

Radio show: Create a radio program that is set in the same time as the book.
 Recipe: Make a recipe (or just the instructions) for something that a character in the story
might make.

Paper doll: More geared towards the younger set, this activity involves creating paper dolls
and costume changes for the characters in the story.

Wanted poster: More geared towards the younger set, this activity involves creating paper
dolls and costume changes for the characters in the story.

Eulogy: Write a eulogy for a word that is overused in the student’s own writing samples.

Infomercial: Students will tape a segment that uses persuasion.

Bumper Sticker: Design a bumper sticker with a catchy slogan for each of the writing
genres.

PowerPoint: Pairs can create a slideshow about their writing process from start to finish.

Newscast: Students can form teams to create a news program about writing conventions
(run-on sentences, spacing, punctuation, etc.)

Comic Strip: Draw a comic strip that shows examples of figurative language.

Brochure: Create a brochure that explains the steps involved when writing for different
audiences.

Survey: Create a survey of students’ favorite writing styles or writing pet peeves.  Make a
graph that explains the results.

Acrostic Poem: Using one math term, such as geometry or algebra, make an acrostic
poem.

Internet Resource List: Students will find a list of websites that explain the current math
concepts correctly.

Readers’ Theater: Perform a readers’ theater that is all about the current topic.

Crossword Puzzle: Use the vocabulary from the assessed chapter to create a crossword
puzzle, including the design and matching clues.

Scrapbook Page: Each student makes a page that describes a certain vocabulary word.
Combine them to provide a future review tool for students.

Paint By Number: More artistically-inclined students may want to create a paint by number
portrait that includes math terms and examples. They can also write and solve problems that match
the paint-by-number answers.

Pattern: Find a pattern in the current math unit that can be explained.

Collage: Using magazines, students can cut up and paste math strand examples.

Help Wanted Ad: Write an ad to find a “professor” who can help to explain the subject at
hand.

Singing Telegram: More musically-inclined students may love to create a song about the
latest chapter.
 Calendar: Mark on a calendar (paper or electronic copy) the time frame for how long it takes
to see changes in a scientific event (such as erosion or plants growing).

Diary: Pen a diary entry from a famous scientist.

Advice Column: Students write advice to an “anonymous friend” who has a scientific
problem that needs solved.

Trivia Game: Students create the questions (and answers) that will be used in a review
game.

T-shirt: Design a t-shirt that matches the current science concepts.

Cheer: Compose a cheer for someone in history who has struggled through something in
your latest unit.

Fashion Sketch: Draw an example of what a person would wear from the era being studied.

Toy: Create a drawing (or a prototype) of a toy that might have been used from the children
of that specific time period.

Documentary: Recreate an important historical event.

Family Tree: Research the family tree of a famous historical person.

Time Line: Students create a class timeline as they study different eras.  Post the master
time line up in the classroom and add as new eras are learned.

Speech: Memorize and recite an important historical speech.

Museum Exhibit: Students each create a museum “artifact” and set them up in the
classroom as a museum, where they will stand next to their artifact to explain and answer questions
from visitors.  Invite other classes or parents to come do a walkthrough of your museum.