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The Famous Final Scene

Thanks for visiting!!! This week, all sophomores in my English 10 classes will begin the second semester by preparing to write their own personal dramatic conclusion to A Raisin in the Sun. Students have already read the play and this week they will watch the movie to develop a deeper understanding for characters' attitudes, personalities, characteristics etc.

The goal of this assignment - "Act 3 Scene 2" - is for students to take on the role of a playwright and express themselves creatively and imaginatively while demonstrating their understanding of particular characters and themes from A Raisin in the Sun.
The assignment will be worth 100 points and assessed on three separate aspects:

• How realistic and believable it is considering the original story. (50 pts.) This includes keeping characters "in character," considering societal ills such as racial tension, and understanding the possibilities (or lack thereof) for a poor African American family like the Youngers.
• Level of creativity and imagination. (30 pts.) This is where students are challenged to amaze me with their ability to create a unique final scene, often with a twist, yet avoid a Hollywood, "happily ever after" ending - which simply did not happen for African Americans in the early 1950's.
• Dramatic Conclusion (20 pts.) This is the most difficult aspect of the assignment. Students must provide closure/finality to one particular issue/theme from the play.

In preparation for this assignment, students will first "pitch" their scene to me - (10 pts.) - and I will either "approve" the pitch or offer suggestions/feedback/advice as to which direction they should go with their ideas. Students will then spend an entire class period brainstorming, pre-writing, and compiling rough drafts. Then, next week they will spend two full class periods in the Media Center typing their final drafts. Talk to your kids about this and get them excited. It is amazing what kids can do when you hand them the ball and tell them they can run anywhere they want with it. This kind of freedom resulted in several students producing some absolutely amazing work last year and I expect much of the same this year.

DUE DATE for The "Pitch" (10 pts.)

Blocks 1,3,5, 6/7 - Thursday Jan. 28

Block 2 - Friday Jan 29