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This assignment was a great success—allowing for creativity, analysis, and opportunity for the “gifted” to shine. I divided the class into groups of five or six students and handed-out the following information. Be sure to video tape the performances to allow each group to self evaluate their performance.)
By luck of the draw, you will select one of the following characters for your culminating project:
Hamlet Ophelia King Claudius Gertrude Laertes The Ghost
And your group will draw for one of the following styles of music:
Gospel Broadway Show tunes Oldies or R&r Rap Country Blues Criteria:
Time to recall your humanities class. Brainstorm, research, listen to the specific type of music you have selected. Carefully define the major characteristics of the style before beginning to create your original song.
Analyze your character's role in the play. How does he/she influence the plot? Why has Shakespeare included him/her in this story? What themes/concepts does this character illustrate to the reader?
Your original song must define the character's purpose in the play with significant contextual facts, narrate the story from his/her point of view, and identify his/her role.
This is a presentation; all members of the group should act and dress professionally.
Because the song is essentially a poem, remember that a poem
- Has a focused purpose (paints a picture, recreates a feeling, tells a story, captures a moment, etc.)
- Should not sacrifice meaning for rhyme
- Includes many sensory images (things for the reader to see, hear, feel, taste, or smell)
- Uses strong verbs and nouns
- Uses poetic language--similes and metaphors
- Uses line breaks and punctuation effectively
Time limit: Five to eight minutes
Performance date: __________________
Scoring Guide for Hamlet Songs
Table #____ Character_________________ Music Style_______________ Group Members' Names: 1._____________________________ 2._____________________________ 3._____________________________ 4._____________________________ 5._____________________________ Each of the seven categories is worth up to 14 points. A 14-12 pts. Indicates that the group's work exceeded the required standards; 11 –8 means that the group met the required standards. A score of 7 –5 indicates that the presentation fell short of Mrs. Locklear's academic expectations for her students; and a score below 5 is unacceptable work for English IV students.
Category Score
Storyline/Song ____________ Accurate and precise information,
Inferences are reasonable and supported by contextual facts,
Character's purpose in the play is clearly illustrated; audience aware of character's role in the plot
Dress/Costume/Props ____________ Group specifically added appropriate dress and/or props to help enhance presentation
Equal Participation ____________ Each member had an essential and equal part in the total presentation; not one member dominated the entire presentation
Creativity ____________ Presentation showed exceptional insight, details, and creative designing.
All members seemed excited, invested, and engrossed in grossed in the group's presentation; energy is consistent
Enthusiasm ____________
Choreography/movements ____________ Movement, dance routines fit the music and overall concept of the presentation; Antics added to the performance's effect
Overall Presentation ____________ All requirements of the assignment have been met; Character's role has been clearly and carefully explained with significant facts. Presentation illustrates accuracy completeness, clarity, synthesis of concepts, supported inferences, and demonstrates quality work. All information is concise, relevant and presented in an organized fashion. Audience has been informed and entertained!
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