Created byCourtney Ratkus

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Novel Theme Park Design

Grade 11English1 days

In this project, 11th-grade English students design a theme park based on a novel, translating its themes, plot events, and characters into an immersive experience. Students identify and analyze the novel's themes and plot points, brainstorm attractions, and create a detailed park blueprint. The project culminates in a 'Shark Tank'-style pitch where students present their theme park concept to potential investors.

Theme Park DesignNovel AdaptationLiterary ThemesPlot IntegrationCreative DesignProject ManagementImmersive Experience

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a theme park that captures the essence of a novel's theme, plot, and characters to create an immersive and engaging experience for visitors?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How does the theme of a novel influence the design of a theme park attraction?
How can you translate plot events into an immersive theme park experience?
In what ways can characters from a novel be represented in a theme park environment?
What are the key elements of a successful theme park design?
How do you create a cohesive and engaging experience that reflects the source material?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Understand and apply literary themes in a creative design project.
Translate plot elements into engaging, spatial experiences.
Incorporate character development into the design of theme park attractions.
Develop skills in project management, teamwork, and presentation.

Common Core Standards

RL.02

Primary

ThemeReason: The project requires students to identify and represent the theme of a novel in their theme park design.

RL.03

Primary

Plot EventsReason: Students will translate key plot events from their chosen novel into immersive theme park experiences.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Novel-to-Park Pitch

Students participate in a 'Shark Tank'-style pitch event, where they present the concept for a theme park based on a novel to a panel of judges. The judges act as potential investors, asking critical questions about the park's design, target audience, and alignment with the novel's themes and plot.

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Portfolio Activities

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

Activity 1

Theme Identification Quest

Students will identify and analyze the major themes present in their chosen novel. They will gather textual evidence to support their understanding of these themes.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Read and annotate the chosen novel, paying close attention to recurring ideas, symbols, and motifs.

2. Identify 3-5 major themes present in the novel.

3. For each theme, find at least three pieces of textual evidence (quotes, scene descriptions) that support its presence.

4. Write a brief paragraph explaining each theme and how it is developed throughout the novel, using the textual evidence as support.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed list of major themes with supporting textual evidence and explanations for each.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsRL.02 (Theme)

Activity 2

Plot Point Paradise

Students will break down the novel's plot into its key events and create a visual representation of the plot structure.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Identify the main plot points of the novel (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution).

2. For each plot point, write a brief summary of what happens in the story.

3. Create a plot diagram or storyboard that visually represents the sequence of events in the novel.

4. Label each plot point on the diagram and include brief descriptions of the events that occur.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual plot diagram or storyboard summarizing the key events of the novel.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsRL.03 (Plot Events)

Activity 3

Theme Park Theme Brainstorm

Students will brainstorm ideas for translating the identified themes into potential theme park attractions, rides, and experiences.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the list of major themes identified in Activity 1.

2. For each theme, brainstorm at least three ideas for how it could be represented in a theme park setting (e.g., a ride, a show, a themed area).

3. Sketch or describe each potential attraction, focusing on how it connects to the theme.

4. Select the most promising ideas for further development.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of sketches and descriptions of potential theme park attractions based on the novel's themes.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsRL.02 (Theme)

Activity 4

Plot-to-Ride Conversion

Students will design specific rides and attractions based on the key plot points of the novel, detailing how these rides will immerse park visitors in the story.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the plot diagram created in Activity 2.

2. Select 3-5 key plot points to translate into rides or attractions.

3. For each plot point, design a ride or attraction that recreates the experience of that event in the story.

4. Write a detailed description of each ride, including its name, design, and how it connects to the plot point.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityDetailed descriptions of rides and attractions based on the novel's plot points, including design sketches and explanations of their connection to the story.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsRL.03 (Plot Events)

Activity 5

Park Blueprint Bonanza

Students create a comprehensive blueprint of their theme park, integrating the theme-based attractions and plot-driven rides into a cohesive park layout.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Sketch a basic layout of the theme park, including different themed areas and attractions.

2. Place the theme-based attractions from Activity 3 into appropriate locations within the park.

3. Incorporate the plot-driven rides from Activity 4 into the park layout, ensuring they flow logically with the story.

4. Add details such as walkways, landscaping, and other park amenities.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed blueprint of the theme park, showing the layout of attractions, rides, and other features.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsRL.02 (Theme), RL.03 (Plot Events)

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Theme Park Design Rubric

Category 1

Theme Representation

How effectively the theme park captures and represents the major themes of the novel.

Criterion 1

Theme Identification & Analysis

Accuracy and depth of identifying and analyzing the novel's themes.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the novel's themes, providing insightful analysis and comprehensive textual evidence.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the novel's themes, providing clear analysis and relevant textual evidence.

Developing

2 Points

Shows an emerging understanding of the novel's themes, providing basic analysis and some textual evidence.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows a limited understanding of the novel's themes, providing minimal analysis and insufficient textual evidence.

Criterion 2

Theme Integration in Attractions

How well the themes are integrated into the design of theme park attractions.

Exemplary

4 Points

Attractions innovatively and seamlessly integrate the novel's themes, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.

Proficient

3 Points

Attractions effectively integrate the novel's themes, enhancing the overall park experience.

Developing

2 Points

Attractions show some connection to the novel's themes, but integration is not always consistent.

Beginning

1 Points

Attractions have minimal connection to the novel's themes, and integration is weak.

Category 2

Plot Representation

How accurately and creatively the theme park represents the key plot events of the novel.

Criterion 1

Plot Event Selection & Summarization

Appropriateness of selecting key plot events and accuracy of their summarization.

Exemplary

4 Points

Selects the most significant plot events and provides insightful and accurate summaries.

Proficient

3 Points

Selects appropriate plot events and provides clear and accurate summaries.

Developing

2 Points

Selects some relevant plot events, but summaries may lack detail or accuracy.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify key plot events, and summaries are incomplete or inaccurate.

Criterion 2

Plot-to-Ride Conversion

Effectiveness of translating plot events into engaging rides and attractions.

Exemplary

4 Points

Rides and attractions creatively and effectively recreate the experience of key plot events, immersing visitors in the story.

Proficient

3 Points

Rides and attractions successfully translate plot events into engaging experiences.

Developing

2 Points

Rides and attractions show some connection to plot events, but the translation is not always effective.

Beginning

1 Points

Rides and attractions have minimal connection to plot events, and the translation is weak.

Category 3

Park Design & Cohesion

The overall design and layout of the theme park, including its cohesion and attention to detail.

Criterion 1

Blueprint Detail & Organization

Clarity, detail, and organization of the theme park blueprint.

Exemplary

4 Points

Blueprint is exceptionally detailed, well-organized, and visually appealing, showcasing a clear understanding of park layout and design principles.

Proficient

3 Points

Blueprint is detailed, well-organized, and easy to understand, effectively communicating the park's layout and design.

Developing

2 Points

Blueprint is somewhat detailed and organized, but may lack clarity in certain areas.

Beginning

1 Points

Blueprint is incomplete, lacks detail, and is poorly organized, making it difficult to understand the park's layout.

Criterion 2

Overall Park Experience

How well the park creates a cohesive and engaging experience for visitors, reflecting the source material.

Exemplary

4 Points

Park creates an outstanding and immersive experience that captures the essence of the novel and engages visitors on multiple levels.

Proficient

3 Points

Park creates a cohesive and engaging experience that effectively reflects the novel's themes and plot.

Developing

2 Points

Park shows some potential for creating an engaging experience, but may lack cohesion or attention to detail.

Beginning

1 Points

Park fails to create a cohesive or engaging experience, and lacks clear connection to the novel.

Reflection Prompts

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

Question 1

How effectively do you believe your theme park design captures the essence of the novel's themes and plot?

Scale

Required

Question 2

What was the most challenging aspect of translating literary elements into a theme park experience, and how did you overcome it?

Text

Required

Question 3

If you could revisit one aspect of your theme park design, what would it be and why?

Text

Required

Question 4

To what extent did your understanding of the novel deepen through the process of designing a theme park based on it?

Scale

Required

Question 5

Which of the portfolio activities (Theme Identification Quest, Plot Point Paradise, Theme Park Theme Brainstorm, Plot-to-Ride Conversion, Park Blueprint Bonanza) did you find most helpful in developing your final theme park design, and why?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Theme Identification Quest

Plot Point Paradise

Theme Park Theme Brainstorm

Plot-to-Ride Conversion

Park Blueprint Bonanza