Character Social Media: Bringing Literature to Life
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Character Social Media: Bringing Literature to Life

Grade 7English5 days
In this project, students explore literary characters through the lens of social media. They create social media profiles and posts that reflect a character's traits, motivations, and relationships within their social and historical context. Students will also engage in digital dialogues with other characters, while considering the ethical implications of representing fictional characters online. This project encourages students to analyze literature in new ways using social media as a tool.
Literary CharacterSocial MediaCharacter AnalysisHistorical ContextDigital DialogueCharacter MotivationEthical Representation
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.In what ways can we use social media to explore a literary character's traits, motivations, and relationships within their social and historical context, while considering the ethical implications of representing them online?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How can a character's traits, motivations, and relationships be portrayed through social media?
  • How does the social and historical context of the story influence a character's online presence?
  • What are the ethical considerations of representing a fictional character in a public forum?
  • How can we use social media to analyze and interpret literature in new ways?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will create a social media profile that accurately reflects a literary character's traits and motivations.
  • Students will analyze the social and historical context of a literary work to inform their portrayal of a character on social media.
  • Students will ethically represent a fictional character in a public online forum, considering the implications of their actions.
  • Students will use social media as a tool to analyze and interpret literature.

Nevada ELA Standards

LS7.1
Primary
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.Reason: The project requires students to write in the voice of a character, demonstrating their understanding of grammar and usage.
LS7.2
Primary
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.Reason: Students will need to use correct capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when creating social media posts as a character.
LS7.4
Primary
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.Reason: Students may need to clarify the meaning of words and phrases related to the text or character they are portraying.
LS7.5
Primary
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.Reason: Students will revise and edit their social media posts to ensure they are appropriate for the character and audience.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Case of the Cross-Book Connection

A mysterious package arrives containing old photos and letters hinting at a secret connection between characters from different books. Students must use social media to uncover the truth, sparking curiosity and setting the stage for creating authentic character profiles.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Story Snapshots: Reliving the Narrative

Students will create a series of posts reflecting key events or interactions from the character's story, using vocabulary and language appropriate to the character and context. They will revise and edit these posts based on peer and teacher feedback.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify 3-5 key events or interactions from the character's story.
2. Write a social media post for each event or interaction from the character's perspective, using language and vocabulary appropriate to the character and setting. Consider how the character would describe the event.
3. Review your posts, clarifying any words or phrases that might be unclear or have multiple meanings. Use context clues from the text.
4. Share your posts with a partner and receive feedback on the accuracy and authenticity of the character's voice, as well as grammar and clarity.
5. Revise and edit your posts based on the feedback received, focusing on how well your posts represent the character and address your audience.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA series of 3-5 social media posts depicting key events or interactions relevant to the character.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLS7.4 (clarifying meaning of words and phrases), LS7.5 (revising and editing for purpose and audience)
Activity 2

Character Profile Setup: First Impressions

Students will select a literary character and create a basic social media profile for them, focusing on biographical information and an introductory post. This activity emphasizes correct grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling to accurately represent the character.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a literary character from a book you have read.
2. Research and gather information about the character's background, personality, and relationships.
3. Create a social media profile for the character, including a username, profile picture, and short bio written in the character's voice. Focus on proper grammar and spelling.
4. Write an initial social media post from the character's perspective, introducing themselves to their new 'followers.' Focus on voice and character.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed social media profile page (digital or mock-up) with a bio, profile picture, and an introductory post.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLS7.1 (grammar and usage), LS7.2 (conventions of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling)
Activity 3

Digital Dialogue: Character Interactions

Students will engage in simulated social media interactions with other characters (played by classmates or pre-written scenarios), responding to posts and comments in character. This activity reinforces understanding of character traits, motivations, and relationships, while also practicing grammar, usage, and appropriate online communication.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review your character's profile and previous posts.
2. Choose two other characters (from the same book or different books) to interact with on social media. Consider the relationships between these characters and how they might interact.
3. Create a social media post or comment from your character's perspective, directed towards one of the other characters. Think about what your character would say or ask.
4. Respond to posts and comments from the other characters, staying in character and using appropriate language and tone. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
5. If necessary, clarify the meaning of words or phrases used by other characters, referencing the text or making inferences based on context.
6. Revise and edit your interactions for clarity, accuracy, and authenticity.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA series of social media interactions (posts and comments) between the chosen character and at least two other characters from the same or different literary works.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLS7.1 (grammar and usage), LS7.2 (conventions), LS7.4 (clarifying meaning), LS7.5 (revising and editing)
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Literary Character Social Media Simulation Rubric

Category 1

Character Portrayal

Focuses on the accuracy, authenticity, and depth of the character portrayal in the social media context.
Criterion 1

Character Representation

Accuracy and depth of understanding of the chosen character's traits, motivations, and backstory as reflected in the social media profile and posts.

Exemplary
4 Points

The profile and posts demonstrate a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the character's traits, motivations, and backstory. Posts reveal deep insight into the character's complexities.

Proficient
3 Points

The profile and posts demonstrate a thorough and accurate understanding of the character's traits, motivations, and backstory. Posts are consistent with the character's established personality.

Developing
2 Points

The profile and posts demonstrate an emerging understanding of the character's traits, motivations, and backstory. Some inconsistencies or superficial interpretations may be present.

Beginning
1 Points

The profile and posts demonstrate a beginning or limited understanding of the character's traits, motivations, and backstory. Posts are often inconsistent or inaccurate.

Criterion 2

Grammar and Mechanics

Use of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate to the character and the social media context. Clarity and correctness of language.

Exemplary
4 Points

Consistently demonstrates impeccable grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary, perfectly suited to the character's voice and the social media context. Enhances the overall authenticity and impact of the profile.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates strong command of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary, appropriate to the character's voice and the social media context. Minor errors do not detract from the overall clarity.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates developing command of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary. Errors occasionally impede clarity or are not always appropriate for the character or context.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates limited command of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary. Frequent errors significantly impede clarity and are often inappropriate for the character or context.

Criterion 3

Social and Historical Context

Engagement with the social and historical context of the character and the literary work in general. Demonstrates an understanding of the context in the posts and interactions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of the social and historical context, innovatively incorporating relevant details into the profile and posts to enrich the character's portrayal. Contextual elements are seamlessly woven into the narrative.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates thorough understanding of the social and historical context, appropriately incorporating relevant details into the profile and posts. Context is clearly considered in the character's actions and communications.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates emerging understanding of the social and historical context. Some relevant details may be included, but the connection to the character's portrayal may be superficial or inconsistent.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates limited understanding of the social and historical context. Few or no relevant details are included, or the connection to the character is unclear.

Category 2

Simulation Quality

Focuses on the overall quality of the social media simulation as a narrative and interactive experience.
Criterion 1

Narrative Effectiveness

Effectiveness of the social media profile and posts in conveying the character's personality, relationships, and perspective. Creativity and originality in the portrayal.

Exemplary
4 Points

The profile and posts are exceptionally creative and original, offering a fresh and insightful perspective on the character. Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of social media as a narrative medium.

Proficient
3 Points

The profile and posts are effective in conveying the character's personality, relationships, and perspective. Demonstrates competent use of social media features.

Developing
2 Points

The profile and posts show some effectiveness in conveying the character's personality, relationships, and perspective, but may lack originality or depth. Basic social media features are utilized.

Beginning
1 Points

The profile and posts are ineffective in conveying the character's personality, relationships, and perspective. Demonstrates limited understanding of social media as a narrative medium.

Criterion 2

Character Interaction

Level of interaction with other characters (real or simulated) and the quality of those interactions. Authenticity of voice and tone in interactions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Engages in insightful and meaningful interactions with other characters, demonstrating a deep understanding of their relationships and motivations. Interactions are consistently authentic and compelling.

Proficient
3 Points

Engages in appropriate and relevant interactions with other characters, demonstrating a good understanding of their relationships. Interactions are generally authentic and consistent with the characters' established personalities.

Developing
2 Points

Engages in some interactions with other characters, but these may be superficial or inconsistent with the characters' established relationships. Authenticity of voice and tone is not always maintained.

Beginning
1 Points

Limited or no meaningful interaction with other characters. Interactions are often irrelevant or inconsistent with the characters' established relationships.

Criterion 3

Revision and Editing

Evidence of revision and editing based on feedback (if applicable). Improvement in clarity, accuracy, and authenticity of posts and interactions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated ability to integrate feedback, resulting in significant improvements in the clarity, accuracy, and authenticity of posts and interactions. Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates a clear effort to revise and edit posts and interactions based on feedback, resulting in noticeable improvements in clarity, accuracy, and authenticity.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates some effort to revise and edit posts and interactions based on feedback, but improvements are limited or inconsistent.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates little or no effort to revise and edit posts and interactions based on feedback. No significant improvements are evident.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How has creating social media posts from your character's perspective deepened your understanding of their motivations and relationships?

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Question 2

In what ways did the social and historical context of the story influence your portrayal of the character on social media?

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Question 3

What were the ethical considerations you faced when representing a fictional character in a public forum, and how did you address them?

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Question 4

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: 'Using social media as a tool enhanced my ability to analyze and interpret literature.'

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Question 5

What is one thing you would do differently if you were to repeat this project, and why?

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