April 2

Today we will do two things:
1. Make characterization charts for characters in Where the Heart Is and
2. Brainstorm for your Bean Trees movies.

Characterization Chart
          What She's Like             Example
Novalee
1. superstitious                                  5 birthday candles.
2. afraid                                            she decides to tell Forney she loves him.
                                                       Forney's love helps her overcome her insecurity
3.
Sister Husband
1.
2.
3.
Lexie
1. Ready for what life throws at her.      Takes new kids gladly
A little bit like Taylor.  Optimistic
2. Depressed. Like Taylor.       Mattiew helps her understand that life isn't perfect but that we should still try to make it as good as possible for one another
3.
Forney
1.Has a good heart                          Takes care of Americus; Delivered Americus; takes care of sister
2.

In what ways is Novalee like Taylor Greer, and in what ways is she like Lou Ann?
What thematic similarities do you see in the two works?

Fear
Theme: _When we have the courage to face our fears we are then able to overcome them.  OR Friends and extended family can help us overcome our fears by showing us love.  Love conquers fear. 

Family
Theme: Care for one another makes you family.  A family is people who make you feel protected.  Willy Jack  NOT.  Abandoned his daughter. 
Sister Husband helps and loves Novalee _____________________
It's hard to be a family.

Movie
Movie Project Description

Bean Trees Video


Your final project for The Bean Trees is to create a 5-9 minute
video teaching a theme from the novel.

You are to work in groups of 4 but feel free to recruit friends to
help you--60 points
Due April 9

Pretend that you are a film student in the prestigious USC film program.  Your former teacher, Mr. Isom,  has hired you to make a video that will help his students understand one of the themes in the novel The Bean Trees and has given you carte blanche as far as your approach goes.  Although you know that Mr. Isom is offering a package of gummy bears for the top video, you are more motivated by thoughts of personal gain.  You know that the George Lucas Foundation gives a hefty $25,000 prize to the winner of its Educational Video Short contest in the literature category (see Edutopia.com).  Winning this prize will not only pay for your next film but could greatly help you reach your lifelong goal of working for LucasFilm.

As you begin to brainstorm ideas, your mind first turns to themes in the work.  You remember from your days spent in Mr. Isom’s class that a theme is the author’s statement (message) concerning a motif such as friendship, pride, alienation, mortality, family, etc.  In your movie group, write a theme for three of the following  motifs:
Common motifs found in the Bean Trees include: 
Family
Theme: ________________________________________________________
Rebirth
Theme: ________________________________________________________
Choices
Theme: ________________________________________________________
Racism
Theme: ________________________________________________________
Moral responsibility

Theme: ________________________________________________________
Feminism
Theme: ________________________________________________________
Fear
Theme: ________________________________________________________

Your 5-9 minute film will be graded as follows:

15 pts--Theme illustrated.  Most students film a scene from the novel.  It's possible, however, to get creative and make a movie about something else and then show its connection to the book in the director's explanation of the theme

15 pts--Director's explanation of theme covered in the film. 1-3 min of the total 7-9 minutes. You must make at least four references to the novel and explain how the film illustrates (or teaches) the theme.  Sometimes students focus on the acting, lighting, etc., and how it emphasizes the theme.

30 pts--Craftsmanship.  Including costumes and props, camera angles, lighting, editing

A’s go to excellent work that thoroughly and creatively develops a theme from the novel.  Director’s explanation clearly and insightfully shows how the film develops the theme.  Four (4) well-chosen references to the book show strong understanding of the novel.  Craftsmanship is superb.  Costumes, props, camera angles, lighting, and editing seamlessly develop the ideas covered.

B’s go to good work that develops a theme from the novel.  Director’s explanation shows how the film develops the theme.  Four (4) references to the book show understanding of the novel.  Craftsmanship is good.  Costumes, props, camera angles, lighting, and editing tend to develop the ideas covered.

C’s go to ok work that tries to develop a theme from the novel.  Director’s explanation does not adequately show how the film develops the theme.  References to the book don’t show strong understanding of the novel.  Craftsmanship is superb.  Costumes, props, camera angles, lighting, and editing seamlessly develop the ideas covered.