Introduction
In this task, students will write a diary for a fictional character living in New Orleans during the late 1800s. Their entries will demonstrate knowledge of important turn of the century issues relating to culture and gender.
Introduction
A Personal Diary
It has been suggested that Edna Pontellier represents some inner conflicts common to a turn of the century woman in the South. You must get to know the time period, the French Creole culture, and the gender expectations facing Edna. You will then create a believable character through which you can communicate your understanding of the urgent issues of the late 1800s.
Task
Task
Your task is to create a six entry journal for your character. In each entry you must demonstrate your knowledge of two identified cultural, economic or social issues facing Edna and her contemporaries.
You may create a male or female character of any adult age.
Process
Process
One
Do your research on the following:
1. The 1890s in the U.S. - What were the specific political, social, economic, familial, cultural issues in the U.S. during the turn of the century?
2. New Orleans in the 1890s - What was it like to live in New Orleans in the 1890s?
3. Creole culture - Who are the Creole people and what are the unique characteristics of Creole culture?
You will turn in twenty five note cards demonstrating your research and at least six note cards identifying your sources. Above, you will find an essential question and some subsidiary questions to help you get started. The above links are in no way exhaustive; they are simply a place to begin. Once you have a basic handle on the issues and topics, feel free to search for your own sources.
Two
You will create your turn of the century character. Choose and use at least two of the tools provided to help you develop your character. Your character can be unique and interesting, but must represent your understanding of what was typical during the time period. You are to create a believable character!
Create a Character Profile.doc
You will need to "prewrite" your character before you begin the journal. Use two of the resources provided to help you walk through the process of writing a back story for your character. You need to get to know your character so that you can consistently demonstrate their thoughts, actions and speech in the journal.
Three
Create your journal! Your journal should include six lengthy entries. These entries must demonstrate your research and understanding of the time period. For example, in your first entry you could discuss a family conflict and an economic issue pertinent to your character. In your second entry you could discuss an economic issue affecting the middle class in the late 1890s and a social issue directly affecting your character.
1. Your journal should sound authentic (you might even learn some French phrases to use in your entries 
).
2. Your journal should look authentic. Be creative and check out some old journals/diaries.
3. Your journal should demonstrate your expertise in the Creole culture during the 1890s.
Evaluation
Evaluation
This is how your work will be evaluated.
Evaluation
This is how your work will be evaluated.
| Beginning 1 |
Developing 2 |
Qualified 3 |
Exemplary 4 |
Score |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journal demonstrates a commitment to quality | Journal does not demonstrate authenticity or quality | Journal demonstrates limited authenticity and/or an insufficient commitment to quality | Journal appears authentic and demonstrates a commitment to quality that meets expectation | Journal appears authentic and demonstrates a commitment to quality that exceeds expectation | |||
| Thorough and accurate note card organization applied to research | Fewer than twenty five note card and six source cards are complete | n/a | Twenty five note cards and six source cards are complete, but demonstrate weaknesses in format and/or quality of research | Twenty five note cards and six source cards follow correct format and demonstrate thorough research | |||
| Sophisticated character development planned and demonstrated in journal entries | Character is not believable | Only one character development tool was used to create a believable character |
|
Two of the provided character development tools have been used to create a believable, complex character | |||
| Journal entries demonstrate thorough understanding of region and time period | Journal entries demonstrate little to no understanding of setting | Journal entries demonstrate some minor error in understanding of setting | Journal entries demonstrate an adequate understanding of setting (time and place) | Journal entries demonstrate a deep, thorough understanding of setting (time and place) | |||
| Content of journal entries demonstrates thoughtful interaction with research and novel | Journal entries exhibit no connection between researchable fact and the events, ideas, characters and themes in The Awakening | Journal entries demonstrate a weak connection between student's research and The Awakening | Journal entries demonstrate a clear connection beteween student's research and The Awakening | Journal entries demonstrate a mature, thoughtful connection between student's research and The Awakening | |||
| Journal completed on time | n/a | n/a | n/a | Journal completed on time. | |||
| Journal entries demonstrate a control of grammar, mechanics, spelling and punctuation | Weak control of grammar, mechanics, spelling and punctuation distract from readability of project. | n/a | Journal entries demonstrate correct grammar, mechanics, spelling and punctuation. | Journal entries demonstrate a control of grammar, mechanics, spelling and punctuation that add to the authenticity of the project. |
Conclusion
Conclusion
You now know about Creole culture, the role Kate Chopin played in spurring forward feminism, the struggle of the turn of the century woman, and the impact literature can have on a society. And you have demonstrated your learning in a variety of ways...
Learning Targets:
I can use an effective research method to conduct organized, thoughtful research.
I can develop a believable character based on a real historical time period.
I can demonstrate my understanding of literature by creating journal entries reflecting my analysis of identified settings, themes, conflicts and characters.
I can demonstrate my commitment to quality by turning in well edited, attractive, thoughtful work in a timely manner.
Our next step will be to connect this to our larger study of American Literature.
In your opinion, how does gender inform our understanding of what it means to be an American? What would Kate Chopin have to say about that?
Credits
Credits
Author Biography
Permissions
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Teacher Page
by Jennifer Johnson, Durango High School
In this task, students will write a diary for a fictional character living in New Orleans during the late 1800s. Their entries will demonstrate knowledge of important turn of the century issues relating to culture and gender.