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Fun: It’s on the Menu!

Sarah E. Pennington, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor K8 Language Arts

Montana State University

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

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Why Menu Projects

Choice!

Creativity!

Engagement!

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Menu Idea: Think Tac Toe

  • Select three main topics (character, setting, theme, main idea, etc.)
  • Create three assignment options for each topic
  • Place in Tic Tac Toe board format

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  • Students do one assignment option from each topic

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Example (Jerry Spinelli novel study; 6th grade)

Character

Write a bio-poem about yourself and a character from the novel. Make sure readers of your poem can see how you and the character are alike and different.

A character in the novel is bring written about 20 years after the novel ends. Where has life taken them? Why? Write this into a human-interest news article.

Interview two of the characters from the novel for a talk show. Develop a script that includes questions about their role in the story and then write their responses to each question.

Setting

Research a town or place you feel is like the one in which the novel is set. Use maps, sketches, population, etc. to help you compare/contract this place to the novel’s setting.

Make a model or map of a key place within the novel and of an important one in your life. Help the viewer understand the importance of each place.

Choose an important scene from the novel and change the setting in some way (time, place, etc.) and explain how that would change events and/or characters.

Theme

Find several songs that reflect the theme of the novel & prepare an audio collage. Create an accompanying brochure to help listeners understand how each song connects to the theme.

Write a five-paragraph essay explaining the theme of the novel with supporting examples from the text.

Create a presentation you would give to a teacher to convince them to use this novel in class, including what lesson the novel teaches and why it is important.

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Mix of Required & Choice

Balances the need to assess specific skills (the required tasks) with opportunities for students to select response activities that engage/excite them.

Can modify the number of required and choice activities easily.

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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

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Mix of Required & Choice

9th Grade Example Required Items:

1. Explain the significance of the title (10-14 sentences). Authors do not choose a title randomly. Usually the title is symbolic in some way.

2. Answer the following question: What part of the novel you read was your favorite? Why? How would the book be different if you totally removed this part?

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Menu Idea:�Mix of Required & Choice

9th Grade Example Choice Items:

  1. Choose one of the characters from the story. Write a resume for that character. What are his/her skills? Accomplishments? What sort of goals do you think this character has?
  2. Does one of the characters from the story remind you of yourself? Or maybe they are totally opposite of you. Make a Venn Diagram or similar graphic organizer showing how you are alike and different from a character in the story. Then, write a 2-3 paragraph story telling what you think would happen if you were to meet this character.
  3. In double-entry journal style, copy 10 of your favorite phrase/sentences from the book and explain why you chose them and how they are important within the novel.

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Menu Idea: Choose 2 options - �From Fairy Tales Unit (7th grade)

  • Choose a classic fairy tale and re-write it. Your version should be set at our school and should use at least ten of your vocabulary words.
  • Choose a classic fairy tale that has been remade into a modern cartoon or movie. Write a paper comparing and contrasting the classic version and the movie version of the tale. Also include a Venn Diagram or similar graphic organizer to summarize the points made in your paper.
  • Create a board game about a classic fairy tale. Your game will take the players into the world of the tale and may walk them through the plot or test their knowledge of the story. You will need to create the game board, make the rules for the game, and create all materials needed to play. The game should be for 2-4 players and have a clear way of determining a winner.

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Menu Idea: 100 points project

  • Variety of project ideas
  • Each idea is given a point value
  • Student goal is to reach 100 points
  • Can easily be modified to a different point goal
  • Can also require certain point values (must complete a 40 point task, for example)

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

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Menu Idea: 100 points project

40 point examples

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  • Pretend you are a character from the story and write a diary for the character explaining the events of the story as seen from their point of view. Include what happens as well as how they felt during this time. You must have at least 8 diary entries. These entries must be at least 2 paragraphs long.

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  • Create a News Show about the novel. Your newscast must be at least 3 minutes long and include information about the novel. You may either present it to the class live or record it to share. You must also have some type of visual to accompany your newscast.

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Menu Idea: 100 points project

30 point examples

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  • Summarize the plot of the novel by creating a cartoon version of the novel. Use at least 8 frames to tell the story of the book. Use color and words.

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  • Is there something mentioned in your book that you would like to know more about? (EX: the main character does a science project on volcanoes.) Research that topic and write a report about it. Make sure you include a paragraph explaining why you picked this and how it relates to your novel. Get approval of your topic before you begin.

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Menu Idea: 100 points project

20 point examples

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Create a travel poster or brochure inviting people to visit the setting of your novel. Include some quotes from the novel that talk about the setting.

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Draw a picture of one of the characters in the novel that is described well. Using quotes from the book point out different things that are important about the character on your picture. You must have at least 10 quotes for your picture.

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Other Menu Formats

  • Restaurant menu: students choose one appetizer (smaller intro project), an entrée (bigger, meaty project) and a dessert (fun, creative finale)
  • Bingo Board (students choose a row of tasks to complete; larger than tic tac toe board with more options)

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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

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A Pause

Questions?

Comments?

Up next: Grading Menu Projects

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Menu Idea:�

A Common Rubric!

What are you looking for?

    • Understanding of text read?
    • Use of supporting text evidence?
    • Grammar/Mechanics?

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Rubric Example Categories/ Criteria

Category/Percentage

Full score criteria

Content/75%

Completed project indicates understanding of the target skill by including multiple specific, relevant examples from the text.

Project presentation/15%

The completed project is neat, attractive, and easy to read.

Grammar & mechanics/10%

The project has been well edited; no more than one error in grammar, spelling, or mechanics.

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Let’s look at some student examples!

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Not just for reading!

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Ponder…

  • Think about a unit or lesson you do with your students
    • How could you utilize a variety of assessment options in this unit or lesson?
    • Would one of the menu options work in your classroom?

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Thank You!

  • I am happy to answer questions!

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  • Sarah.pennington2@montana.edu

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  • To download menu project examples and this PowerPoint, go to https://sarahpennington2.wixsite.com/handouts or scan the QR code on this slide.