Finish Speak and complete the following assignment over Spring Break

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Final Project

Please choose one of the following options to complete over Spring Break. It is incredibly important that you put vast amounts of effort into your work. These assignments were created to exercise your creativity with your enjoyment in mind. Have fun with it!

1.       Melinda participates in a year-long art project that she struggled with stemming from her own personal issues. Think about one of your own conflicts that you’ve had that you think other teenagers can relate to- peer pressures, high school drama, the pains of adolescence- and artfully prepare an eye-appealing, wonderfully constructed collage.

                                                               i.      Poster board must be no smaller than 22” x 28”

                                                             ii.      Have your chosen theme in big letters somewhere on the poster

                                                            iii.      Images can be printed, cut out, drawn- anything appropriate is acceptable!

                                                           iv.      On a separate sheet of paper, write a brief explanation of your chosen theme and how it is significant to you. Also, list the different images you attach and the reason for the choice

                                                             v.      No blank spots allowed!

 

2.       Choose another character from Speak and write ten diary entries from his/her point of view. Your options are Heather, Rachel, Ivy, David Petrakis, Hairwoman, Mr. Neck, Melinda’s mom or dad.

                                                               i.      The diary entries do not have to be unnecessarily long, but each entry must have a significant point. What is the focal point of the diary: David’s growing affection for Melinda? Heather’s anxiety to fit in?

                                                             ii.      Include a cover for the diary and illustrate it in a way that is fitting to the character

 

 

3.       Melinda struggles a lot due to in her inability to speak. There are many situations when we feel as though we can’t speak up- when our parents don’t understand our situations, when friends turn their backs, etc. Think of or research five different situations where we may feel silenced or unsure of how to respond. Briefly describe the circumstance then offer your own wise advice. For example:

                                                               i.      [From http://www.teenmag.com/advice/people-are-jealous-of-me]

Everyone's jealous of my looks and clothes!

My mom and I are known for our beauty and great style, but this has been quite a problem lately. I recently moved to a new school and, as nice and friendly as I tried to be to the girls in the school, they are all so jealous of my looks and clothes that they don't want to become my friend, except for this one girl. She is the least popular person in the whole school, and not that it matters to me, but my friendlessness has increased, since none of the girls want to have anything to do with this girl. Even now after all these months that they've seen how friendly and fun I can be the girls are nice enough but not really friendly, it's almost as if they respect me but don't want my friendship! Is something wrong with me? Finding friends has always been very easy for me. Have I just lost my touch so suddenly?

Almost Friendless

 

Dear Almost Friendless,

Since it seems unlikely that any of the girls in your school has told you that she is jealous of your looks and clothes, you probably have assumed that this is the reason that you are getting the cold shoulder. So there is a chance that you are wrong. I only have what you tell me to go on so you're going to have to do some real soul searching to figure get to the bottom of your dilemma.

My first thought is that you may come off as stuck up or conceited. See, beautiful, stylish people are not usually social outcasts. However, if people think that all you see yourself as being above everyone else, they are not going to want to be your friend. You say that you are friendly, but it is still possible to be friendly while making people think that you see them as lesser mortals.

I suggest you keep trying to connect with the girls at school, but make sure you show a little humility. Compliment other girls and ask them where they got their clothes, or how they did their hair. Praise someone's poem or essay that has been read aloud in class. Admire the good things about your classmates. No matter how stylish and beautiful you are, you are still human. They need to realize that, and quite possibly you need to as well.

                                                             ii.      Be sure to choose five different topics – don’t make all of them about relationships or friendships.

                                                            iii.      Please be appropriate with your responses and keep criticism to a minimum

                                                           iv.      If you have a hard time thinking up topics, feel free to research teen advice columns. Always cite your work by including the website you use. However, the actual advice must be in your own words!