Survival of the Fittest

Author: Jan Dalton

Grade Level: Grade Ten (English 13)

Project Description: Upon reading the novel Deathwatch by Robb White, students will compare and contrast the two main characters, the young guide Ben and the big game hunter Madec. They will analyze each character's strengths and weaknesses, look for similarities and differences, and display their findings in the form of a concept map. (This project is part of a unit plan based on this novel.)

Outcomes

Student Task

Journal Rubric

Character Comparison Rubric

Resources

TLT Projects Page
Teaching and Learning with Technology

Outcomes:

ICT Outcomes:

C.6: Students will use technology to investigate and/or solve problems.

4.2 investigate and solve problems of organization and manipulation of information

C.7: Students will use electronic research techniques to construct personal knowledge and meaning.

4.1 use appropriate strategies to locate information to meet personal needs
4.2 analyze and synthesize information to determine patterns and links among ideas
4.3 use appropriate presentation software to demonstrate personal understandings

ELA Outcomes:

Writing:

2. Appropriate organization and development of meaning are essential qualities of written composition

demonstrate the ability to organize their thoughts coherently
develop their ideas by using methods appropriate to their topics

4. A writer¹s ideas and experiences can be presented through various modes of discourse

use personal or exploratory writing, such as journal writing or personal reactions, to express and clarify their thoughts and feelings, and to develop ideas for other types of writing

Reading/Literature:

6. Reading is a process that demands active involvement of the reader

respond to the material that they read with increasing sensitivity, thoughtfulness, articulateness and self-reliance
understand that the study of literature involves initial reading of the material; personal response; sufficient thoughtful consideration to assure understanding; possible sharing of one's response with others, orally or in writing; and, where appropriate, a personal, social or critical evaluation

9. Human experience and values can be explored through literature

describe the major physical characteristics and personality traits of characters
expand experience vicariously
relate literary experience to personal experience

10. The understanding and appreciation of a literary selection is dependent upon the recognition and understanding of the general characteristics of literary forms and the relationship of form, idea and purpose

retell or summarize the content and identify the basic organization the author has used
identify the point of view of a literary selection

11. Locating, selecting and evaluating written materials, frequently required to fulfill one's purpose in reading, are important life skills

identify their purpose for reading, and extract information based on that purpose

Viewing:

14. Elements in and structure of the image strongly influence the total effect of the communication

understand that the message of a visual presentation is affected by factors such as colour, angle and movement

Student Task:

Background: Aaaahhhhh - the sweet smell of success! Money, power, fame, glory ... what does success mean to you? Is it the things listed above, or you looking for more intangible things such as happiness, love, peace, contentment? In the novel Deathwatch, success meant a favourable outcome in a life or death struggle.

The two main characters were both strong men in very different ways and they pit their minds, bodies and characters against one another in an attempt to survive a hunting trip gone wrong. Your job is to compare and contrast these strengths, and to display your comparison in the form of a concept map using the software program Inspiration.

At first glance, this may appear to be a classic comparison of "good versus evil" but is it really so clear cut? You may be surprised to find many similarities between these characters.

Activities:

as you read the novel Deathwatch, you will keep a double-entry journal recording your personal responses to the actions and thoughts of the characters. One side of your journal will contain quotes and page numbers from the novel, and the other side will be a record of your thoughts, ideas, personal response and interpretation of the quotes. This can be done on computer or handwritten.
using your Elements of Fiction handout, identify in your journal the techniques the author uses to present this information (through his actions, through his own words, through what he thinks, through what another character says about him, etc.)
with your response journal as a reference, you will compare and contrast the characters Ben and Madec in the form of a concept map using Inspiration software.

A template is available to get you started. You are expected to use the "levels" feature of the software to compare the characters on the basis of different viewpoints (physical strength, mental toughness, strength of character, etc.)

Journal Rubric:


Exemplary 4	Entries are thoughtful and wording carefully crafted. Student has made strong connections, demonstrated proficiency in analyzing characters¹ motivations. Has completed more than the minimum number of expected entries.
Very Good 3	Entries are complete and generally well-written. Student has attempted to make connections and to analyze characters¹ motivations. Has completed the minimum number of expected entries.
Developing 2	Most entries follow the format given. Student has attempted to make some connections. With assistance, has demonstrated efforts to analyze characters¹ motivations. Has completed slightly less than the minimum number of expected entries.
Awareness Evident 1	Entries are confusing and difficult to understand. Student unable to make connections without assistance and is reluctant to work independently. Journal is incomplete; minimal effort observed.

Character Comparison Rubric:

	Information/Comparisons (Content)	Concept Map
Exemplary 4	Organizes material in a clear, appropriate, and precise manner. Evidence of making inferences to draw conclusions about characters, Makes sophisticated comparisons between characters on several levels.	Uses multiple graphics or pictures per level that related to the categories. Includes hotlinks if appropriate. Carefully chooses color of text and backgrounds for good contrast. Controls colors and shapes of links and concept nodes. Demonstrates proper construction of levels.
Very Good 3	Organizes material in an appropriate fashion, and presents basic information on more than one level. Makes connections between the two characters and identifies both similarities and differences.	Used one or two graphics or pictures per level that related to the text. Controls color of text and/or background. No difficulty reading text due to color contrast. Construction of more than one level is evident.
Developing 2	Organizes most material, but may lack some clarity or consistency. Presents some basic information but may have extraneous material. Makes some comparisons between characters on more than one level.	Graphics and pictures used are unrelated to the text. Color selections make it difficult to read text. Difficulties encountered in construction of levels.
Awareness Evident 1	Little evidence of a cohesive plan; little or no description or detail. Ideas seem scrambled, jumbled, or disconnected. Unable to find areas of similarities/differences between characters independently.	No use of graphics or pictures. No attempt to use color. No attempt made to construct more than one level.

Resources:

Novel - Deathwatch by Robb White Software
Inspiration web sites - http://www.lib.usm.edu/~degrum/findaids/white.htm#bio