Help my students create a one of a kind mask as a culminating project to our first novel study!  My students are currently engaged in their first novel study:  7th grade - "Bronx Masquerade"; 8th grade - "The Outsiders".  Both books involve identity in some way.  I'm teaching both books through the essential question:  How do outside forces impact a character's identity?  We are delving deep into character analysis asking such questions as:  How does the character identify him/herself?  How do others identify the character?  How does the character's identify change throughout the story?  What caused this change?  Is there conflict between how the character identifies him/herself and how others identify him/her?

As a culminating activity, both grades will create masks that represent a character's identity.  I want them to be as creative as they can!  Seventh grade will create a "masquerade ball" type, half mask representing what "mask" their character wore to hide behind.  The 8th grade will create a full sized, double-sided mask showing how a character's identity differed between how others saw them (the outside of the mask) compared to how they see themselves (the inside of the mask).

Middle school is such an important time.  Students are trying to determine who they are and be more independent in their determination. Our character analysis through identity will push students to look at their own identity, as they are forming who they are, and think about what influences are impacting that decision.  

My students are bombarded by such negative images of who they should be.  And I've witnesses first hand how they perpetrate these negative images on their fellow students and themselves.  I want to empower my students to question these images and feel confident to make their own decisions of who they will be - how they will identify.  I believe this project will not only help them more deeply analyze characters, but will also be a vehicle to help them express themselves!

With these funds I will purchase masks and decorating accessories for the students to create their masterpieces!  Party City has both types of plain, white masks which will be the canvases on which they will create!  (http://www.partycity.com/product/white+domino+mask.do?sortby=ourPicks&carousel=true&navSet=279682)  I will use the remaining money to purchase items from a craft store (not sure where, maybe Walmart, Target, or Michaels) so the students can add their own creative touch!

Thank you so much for helping me make this project a reality for my students!

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