Christmas Character Wax Museum
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as historians and actors, bring a Christmas character to life in a wax museum, using verbs to vividly describe their actions and understanding their point of view based on major life events?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we use what we know about a person to understand their point of view?
- What were the major events in the character's life?
- How do verbs help us describe a character's actions?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand and articulate a character's point of view through their actions and experiences.
- Identify and describe major life events of a chosen Christmas character.
- Use verbs effectively to describe a character's actions and personality.
- Collaboratively create and present a wax museum exhibit showcasing the Christmas character.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsMystery Artifacts from Christmas Characters
A box of "artifacts" (props, letters, etc.) related to famous Christmas characters arrives. Students must examine these clues to deduce which character they belong to, sparking curiosity and initial research.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Character's Shoes: Point of View
Students step into the shoes of their chosen Christmas character to explore and understand their point of view. This activity encourages empathy and perspective-taking, which are crucial for portraying the character authentically.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA first-person journal entry from the character's point of view, demonstrating an understanding of their thoughts and feelings.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal of understanding and articulating a character's point of view through their actions and experiences. Aligns with the standard of point of view.Action Verbs in Action: Describing Character's Actions
Students focus on using vivid verbs to describe their character's actions and personality. This activity enhances their understanding of how verbs can bring a character to life and make their portrayal more engaging.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of sentences using strong verbs to describe the character's actions and personality, ready to be used in the wax museum presentation.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal of using verbs effectively to describe a character's actions and personality. Aligns with the standard of verbs.Wax Museum Script: Character Monologue
Students write a short monologue from their character's point of view, incorporating details from their life events and using descriptive verbs. This activity prepares them for their wax museum presentation, ensuring they can confidently portray their character.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-crafted monologue that captures the character's essence, ready to be performed in the wax museum.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsIntegrates all learning goals: understanding point of view, describing life events, and using verbs effectively. Prepares students for collaborative presentation.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioChristmas Character Wax Museum Portfolio Rubric
Understanding Point of View
Demonstrates comprehension and articulation of the chosen Christmas character's perspective, motivations, and feelings.Perspective Accuracy
How accurately and authentically the student embodies the character's point of view, reflecting their thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the character's point of view, portraying their thoughts and feelings with exceptional authenticity and depth. Provides compelling evidence from the character's life to support the portrayal.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a thorough understanding of the character's point of view, accurately reflecting their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Provides clear evidence from the character's life to support the portrayal.
Developing
2 PointsShows an emerging understanding of the character's point of view, but may have some inconsistencies or inaccuracies in portraying their thoughts, feelings, or motivations. Provides some evidence from the character's life, but it may be limited or not fully developed.
Beginning
1 PointsShows a limited understanding of the character's point of view, struggling to accurately portray their thoughts, feelings, or motivations. Provides minimal evidence from the character's life or relies on stereotypes.
Emotional Connection
The student's ability to convey the character's emotions and connect with the audience on an emotional level.
Exemplary
4 PointsEvokes a strong emotional connection with the audience through a powerful and moving portrayal of the character's emotions. Demonstrates exceptional empathy and understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively conveys the character's emotions and connects with the audience on an emotional level. Demonstrates empathy and understanding.
Developing
2 PointsShows some ability to convey the character's emotions, but the emotional connection with the audience may be limited. Demonstrates basic empathy.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to convey the character's emotions or connect with the audience on an emotional level. Demonstrates minimal empathy.
Describing Life Events with Verbs
Effectively uses verbs to vividly describe the character's actions, personality, and experiences, bringing the character to life.Verb Choice
The selection and use of verbs to accurately and vividly describe the character's actions and personality traits.
Exemplary
4 PointsConsistently uses a rich and varied vocabulary of verbs to create a vivid and engaging portrayal of the character's actions and personality. Verb choices are precise, impactful, and enhance the overall presentation.
Proficient
3 PointsUses a variety of verbs to accurately describe the character's actions and personality. Verb choices are generally effective and contribute to the character's portrayal.
Developing
2 PointsShows some awareness of verb usage, but may rely on common or repetitive verbs. Verb choices may not always be precise or impactful.
Beginning
1 PointsUses a limited range of verbs, often inaccurately or inappropriately. Verb choices do little to enhance the character's portrayal.
Descriptive Impact
The extent to which the verbs used create a strong and memorable impression of the character's actions and personality.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe verbs used create an exceptionally strong and memorable impression of the character, making them come alive for the audience. The language is evocative and paints a clear picture of the character's actions and personality.
Proficient
3 PointsThe verbs used create a strong and memorable impression of the character. The language is descriptive and helps the audience visualize the character's actions and personality.
Developing
2 PointsThe verbs used create some impression of the character, but the impact may be limited. The language may be somewhat generic or lack detail.
Beginning
1 PointsThe verbs used fail to create a clear impression of the character. The language is vague and does not help the audience understand the character's actions or personality.
Wax Museum Presentation
The overall quality and effectiveness of the wax museum presentation, including clarity, engagement, and collaboration.Monologue Clarity
How clearly and effectively the character's monologue conveys their story, motivations, and personality.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe monologue is exceptionally clear, engaging, and well-organized, effectively conveying the character's story, motivations, and personality. The language is vivid and captivating, holding the audience's attention throughout the presentation.
Proficient
3 PointsThe monologue is clear, engaging, and well-organized, effectively conveying the character's story, motivations, and personality. The language is descriptive and helps the audience understand the character.
Developing
2 PointsThe monologue is generally clear, but may lack some clarity or organization. The character's story, motivations, or personality may not be fully conveyed. The language may be somewhat generic or lack detail.
Beginning
1 PointsThe monologue is unclear, disorganized, and fails to effectively convey the character's story, motivations, or personality. The language is vague and does not help the audience understand the character.
Engagement & Poise
The student's ability to engage the audience, maintain their poise, and confidently portray the character during the wax museum presentation.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe student captivates the audience with their engaging and confident portrayal of the character. They maintain excellent poise and connect with the audience on a personal level. Their enthusiasm is contagious and enhances the overall presentation.
Proficient
3 PointsThe student engages the audience with their confident portrayal of the character. They maintain good poise and connect with the audience effectively.
Developing
2 PointsThe student shows some engagement with the audience, but may lack confidence or poise. Their portrayal of the character may be somewhat hesitant or unconvincing.
Beginning
1 PointsThe student struggles to engage the audience and lacks confidence in their portrayal of the character. They may appear uncomfortable or unprepared.