I've been working on an idea for months now for historical figure analysis using the five senses. I'm wondering if anyone does anything like this and would share how they've set it up. I do biopoems that already ask things like "I feel... I see..." but I'd like this to feel unique and not just like a bio-poem with a head in the middle. I'm pretty sure someone here mentioned the assignment which is what started me on the path so I'm hoping I can get some more guidance as it just isn't coming together for me.
That sounds like a great idea! There's another version of the bio poem out there you might want to use. It's called the "I am" poem. TITLE (This will be your name or the literary character.) I am (two special characteristics you have) I wonder ( something you are curious about) I hear ( an imaginary sound) I see ( an imaginary sight) I want (an actual desire) I am ( the first line of the poem repeated) I pretend (something you pretend to do) I feel (a feeling about something imaginary) I touch (an imaginary touch) I worry (something that really bothers you) I cry (something that makes you very sad) I am ( the first line of the poem repeated) I understand(something you know is true) I say (something you believe) I dream (something you dream about) I try (something you make an effort about) I hope (something you hope for) I am ( the first line of the poem repeated) The coolest thing, though, would be to get them to write from the perspective of that character in a free verse type poem. Have you ever seen the book The Collected Works of Billy the Kid? It is a "multigenre" account of Billy the Kid's life. It would be a cool model for your students to see. As a matter of fact, one of the latest trends in researching for English classes is the "multigenre" paper. If you google that, you'll find examples of some papers about historical figures. It might have some of what you're looking for in it. If you have an English teacher you can buddy with on campus, it would be a great project for you guys to do together!
These are directions I had gotten from a resource on interactive notebooks: Sensory Figure Sensory figures show the main characteristics of a group in history, or how another group perceived an individual or group. Steps: Draw an appropriate piece of clothing, and add arms, legs, and a head. Think about the information in your notes – what part of the body could you attach them to? Attach each required piece of information to your figure. Remember, no more than two facts on any one part of the body. Other important things about the person or group could be shown by things that the figure holds in his hands, has tucked in a pocket, or is lying on the ground. Color your picture appropriately. Example: I see the Roman legions marching together, fighting together. Our uniforms are bright red and bronze. I think about the land I’ll receive for my pension. I hear the orders of my patrician generals. My mother told me to come back with my shield or on it, so I’m holding on tight. I use my hands to build protected camps each night before we sleep. I march the roads of Rome, patrolling the borders and protecting my country. The roads help the legions to move quickly. I believe in my heart that Rome is worth protecting, worth dying for.
I've also seen a stick-person, with boxes labeled: Sees, Thinks, Smells, Hears, Says/Speaks, Does, Feels (pointing to heart, but I've done ones with hands also), Travels.
Awesome! Thanks to all three of you. This will definitely get me over the hump to finishing this. I'm definitely intrigued by the multi-genre idea. Sounds like something right up my alley. I'd never heard of it before and certainly hadn't considered it.
Here's what I have so far. It didn't quite go in the direction I planned but I'm happy with the result. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...NjBhNi00ODIyLWJiN2UtZTE1MzFmNzZjMjZh&hl=en_US Pretty sure I'm going to go with that one but I'm now thinking much more deeply about it. The next stage is to do a multigenre paper with one "page" for each of the senses. Not sure if that will come together in the end but I'm certainly interested to try it out.
Thanks for sharing! I really like that and I think I can use this with my one ancient history class I have and also modify it for my 8th graders. I love your website by the way!
I do a similar activity...Actually it's pretty much identical to your handout! (Thanks for posting! Love it!) The only thing I have that's different is that I use symbols/text boxes - a heart shape pointing towards the person's heart for "I believe"; a thought bubble near the persons head for "I think"...For some reason, I can't think of the rest, but you get the point.
