Projects

The Kite Runner - End of Novel Project Menu

Directions: As we finish our reading of __The Kite Runner__, you will be responsible for selecting and completing one of the assignments from the menu below. The activities are designed to give you choice and flexibility in demonstrating your understanding of Afghanistan as well as literary concepts in __The Kite Runner__. These activities will be due at different times throughout the unit. You will be given notice as the due date is approaching, but you should work on your activities on a regular basis for the duration of the unit. Some class time will be given, however, you are also expected to work on these assignments out of class.

1. Re-write a thorough summary of the novel from the perspective of Hassan or Baba. Be sure to include major events and to consider how these events would be seen through the eyes of a character other than Amir.

2. Identify one significant quote in the novel. Design a poster with that quote in mind. Your poster should showcase a key scene or character that relates back to this quote. Be sure to put the quote somewhere on the poster.

3. Create a children’s book version of The Kite Runner. This book should cover the main plot points, characters, and themes of the novel. However, it should be written with children in mind. Be sure to add images and colors.

4. Research Afghanistan Today: What are the pros and cons of living there? What is the political situation now? Prepare a Power Point presentation (approximately 10-15 slides).

5. Write a two-page analysis explaining how any three of our course essential questions are answered by The Kite Runner. Explore the questions and think about which ones are most thoroughly addressed. Be sure to write thoughtful and well-supported arguments.

6. Create a soundtrack that would enhance a reader’s enjoyment and understanding of the novel. Select at least five appropriate songs, record them onto a CD, create a cover, and write the liner notes that connect the songs to key scenes or themes in the novel. Be sure that each song you select ties in with a different key scene or theme from the novel.  Writing and research activities after finishing the novel:

  Research Pashtun-Hazara relations to gain an understanding of why the two groups have problematic relations, why Pashtuns consider themselves elite and Hazaras inferior, and what if anything the U.S. is doing to exert influence to improve relations. Write a two-page paper explaining the relationship and describing how the novel illustrates the difficulty of overcoming the problem (using specific text references in support).

 Write a two-page paper in which you analogize your personal experience(s) of difficult ethnic or racial relations to Pashtun-Hazara relations. The connections you make should be based on your observations of the world in which you live. You should also make use of current events articles to illustrate your point. Use examples from your own experience and specific text references.

 Imagine you are Amir writing a letter to Hassan to respond to the letter from Hassan to Amir that Rahim Kahn gives to Amir. Imagine that Amir writes the letter before he learns that Hassan has been killed.

 Write to one of your elected government representatives stating your opinion of the U.S. war in Afghanistan (and send the letter if you like).

 Write one or two pages stating and explaining your opinion of the effectiveness of the author's structure of the novel, i.e., starting with a phone call in California; going back in time to Amir's childhood in Kabul; returning to the phone call; and moving forward. Use specific text references to support your opinion.

 Each student will address the class and state what he or she would do in one of two scenarios: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> (1) "If I were _ character in the novel, I would have done _ differently because __."__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> __(2) "If I could change the plot of the novel, I would__ _ because ."

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