Tale of Despereaux: Modern Castle Design Project
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as historians, architects, and artists, design and construct a modernized castle that reflects both historical accuracy and the needs of a specific community, while considering the impact of setting on narrative?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we design a castle that meets the needs of a specific group of people?
- What materials are best suited for building different parts of a castle, and why?
- How can we use math to accurately measure and construct the different parts of our castle?
- How does the setting of a story influence the events and characters within it?
- How can we use art to represent the historical and cultural elements of a castle?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the architectural design and historical context of castles.
- Apply mathematical concepts to measure and construct castle components.
- Analyze the influence of setting on narrative events and characters.
- Integrate historical and cultural elements into castle design.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsEviction Notice!
Start with an 'eviction notice' served to the characters from The Tale of Despereaux, claiming their castle is outdated and unsafe, challenging students to redesign it to meet modern standards while preserving its historical charm. This event directly ties the project to the narrative and encourages empathy for the characters.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Setting the Scene: Castle Storytellers
Students analyze how the setting of The Tale of Despereaux influences the events and characters within the story. They will then write short stories or scenes set in their modernized castle, exploring how the updated setting affects the narrative.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 short stories or scenes set in the modernized castle, showcasing the impact of setting on narrative.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Analyze the influence of setting on narrative events and characters.Artistic Accents: Castle Decorators
Students create artwork to decorate the interior and exterior of their modernized castle, incorporating historical and cultural elements. This includes designing banners, murals, stained glass windows, and other decorative features that reflect the castle's purpose and the community it serves.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 portfolio of artwork designed for the modernized castle, showcasing historical and cultural influences.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Integrate historical and cultural elements into castle design.Material Matters: Castle Construction Crew
Students investigate different materials used in castle construction throughout history and compare them to modern building materials. They will analyze the pros and cons of each material in terms of durability, cost, and environmental impact, then select appropriate materials for their modernized castle.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 materials portfolio outlining the chosen materials for the modernized castle, with detailed justifications for each choice.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Integrate historical and cultural elements into castle design. Apply mathematical concepts to measure and construct castle components.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioModernized Castle Project Rubric
Setting the Scene: Castle Storytellers
Evaluates student's ability to analyze the impact of setting on narrative and create stories set in a modernized castle.Impact of Setting
Analyzes how well the student understands and explains the impact of setting on the plot and characters in 'The Tale of Despereaux' and in their own modernized castle story.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how the setting profoundly influences both the original story and their own, providing specific examples and insightful analysis.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a thorough understanding of how the setting influences the plot and characters in both 'The Tale of Despereaux' and their own story, providing clear examples.
Developing
2 PointsShows an emerging understanding of the influence of setting on the plot and characters, with some examples provided but lacking depth in analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsShows a limited understanding of how the setting affects the plot and characters, with minimal examples and little to no analysis.
Originality and Creativity
Assesses the originality and creativity of the student's short story or scene set in the modernized castle.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe story is exceptionally creative and original, with a unique perspective on the modernized castle and its impact on the characters. The narrative is engaging and well-developed.
Proficient
3 PointsThe story is creative and original, with a clear understanding of the modernized castle setting and its impact on the characters. The narrative is well-written and engaging.
Developing
2 PointsThe story shows some creativity and originality, but the connection between the modernized castle setting and the characters is not fully developed. The narrative is somewhat engaging.
Beginning
1 PointsThe story lacks originality and creativity, with a minimal understanding of the modernized castle setting and its impact on the characters. The narrative is uninspired and underdeveloped.
Clarity and Coherence
Evaluates the clarity and coherence of the student's writing, including grammar, structure, and organization.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe writing is exceptionally clear, coherent, and well-organized, with no grammatical errors. The story flows smoothly and is easy to understand.
Proficient
3 PointsThe writing is clear, coherent, and well-organized, with few grammatical errors. The story is easy to understand.
Developing
2 PointsThe writing shows some clarity and coherence, but there are several grammatical errors that detract from the story. The organization could be improved.
Beginning
1 PointsThe writing lacks clarity and coherence, with numerous grammatical errors that make the story difficult to understand. The organization is poor.
Artistic Accents: Castle Decorators
Evaluates the student's ability to integrate historical and cultural elements into the design of artwork for the modernized castle.Historical and Cultural Integration
Assesses how well the student incorporates historical and cultural elements into their artwork designs.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates an exceptional understanding of historical and cultural elements, seamlessly integrating them into the artwork designs in a meaningful and creative way. Provides detailed explanations of the significance of each element.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a thorough understanding of historical and cultural elements, integrating them effectively into the artwork designs. Provides clear explanations of the significance of each element.
Developing
2 PointsShows an emerging understanding of historical and cultural elements, but their integration into the artwork designs is inconsistent or superficial. Provides limited explanations of their significance.
Beginning
1 PointsShows a limited understanding of historical and cultural elements, with minimal integration into the artwork designs. Provides little to no explanation of their significance.
Artistic Skill and Technique
Evaluates the student's artistic skill and technique in creating the artwork representations.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional artistic skill and technique, creating visually stunning and technically proficient artwork representations. Shows mastery of chosen medium.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates strong artistic skill and technique, creating visually appealing and technically sound artwork representations. Shows competence in chosen medium.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging artistic skill and technique, but the artwork representations may lack refinement or technical proficiency. Shows basic competence in chosen medium.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited artistic skill and technique, with artwork representations that are underdeveloped or technically flawed. Struggles with chosen medium.
Presentation and Explanation
Assesses the clarity and effectiveness of the student's presentation and explanation of their artwork.
Exemplary
4 PointsDelivers a compelling and insightful presentation, clearly and effectively explaining the historical and cultural influences on their artwork. Demonstrates excellent communication skills.
Proficient
3 PointsDelivers a clear and informative presentation, explaining the historical and cultural influences on their artwork. Demonstrates strong communication skills.
Developing
2 PointsDelivers a somewhat unclear or incomplete presentation, with limited explanation of the historical and cultural influences on their artwork. Demonstrates developing communication skills.
Beginning
1 PointsDelivers a disorganized and difficult-to-understand presentation, with minimal explanation of the historical and cultural influences on their artwork. Demonstrates weak communication skills.
Material Matters: Castle Construction Crew
Evaluates the student's ability to research and compare traditional and modern building materials, and justify their choices for the modernized castle.Research and Comparison
Assesses the thoroughness and accuracy of the student's research on traditional and modern building materials.
Exemplary
4 PointsConducts thorough and accurate research on a wide range of traditional and modern building materials, providing detailed information on their properties, uses, and historical significance. The comparison chart is comprehensive and insightful.
Proficient
3 PointsConducts thorough and accurate research on several traditional and modern building materials, providing clear information on their properties and uses. The comparison chart is well-organized and informative.
Developing
2 PointsShows some research on traditional and modern building materials, but the information may be incomplete or inaccurate. The comparison chart is basic and lacks detail.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited research on building materials, with minimal information provided and significant inaccuracies. The comparison chart is incomplete or missing.
Justification of Material Choices
Evaluates the student's ability to justify their material choices for the modernized castle based on research and analysis.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a compelling and well-reasoned justification for each material choice, clearly explaining how the chosen materials meet the needs of the modernized castle in terms of durability, cost, environmental impact, and historical appropriateness. Demonstrates a deep understanding of the trade-offs involved in material selection.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear and logical justification for each material choice, explaining how the chosen materials meet the needs of the modernized castle. Demonstrates a good understanding of the factors influencing material selection.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic justification for each material choice, but the reasoning may be weak or incomplete. Shows a limited understanding of the factors influencing material selection.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a minimal or unclear justification for each material choice, with little to no explanation of the reasoning behind their selections. Shows a poor understanding of the factors influencing material selection.
Presentation of Materials Portfolio
Assesses the organization, clarity, and visual appeal of the student's materials portfolio.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe materials portfolio is exceptionally well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to understand. It presents the chosen materials and justifications in a clear and engaging manner.
Proficient
3 PointsThe materials portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to understand. It presents the chosen materials and justifications in a clear manner.
Developing
2 PointsThe materials portfolio is somewhat disorganized or lacks visual appeal. The presentation of materials and justifications could be improved.
Beginning
1 PointsThe materials portfolio is poorly organized, visually unappealing, and difficult to understand. The presentation of materials and justifications is inadequate.