The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden
By Frances Hodgson Burnett

Introduction Task Process Resources Evaluation Closing Questions 

 

INTRODUCTION
Imagine that you are a movie director. You have read and seen theatrical as well as movie productions of "The Secret Garden." However, none of these productions seem to live up to your "vision" of how "The Secret Garden" should be portrayed. You have a "vision" for costume and character appearances, set design, and for character portrayal and you need to convey these to your production staff in order for them to adaquately create your vision of "The Secret Garden."
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TASK
Read "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett and takes notes or write a reflective journal for the chapters as you read. This will help you to reflect later on without having to search through the book to find things. Consider, while reading, the images that come to you and be sure to record or make rough sketches of these things so you don't forget them. See if you can identify with one of the three children, or if you have a vivid image of them. Record any information that jumps out at you or really holds true for you personally. Do you have a favourite part of the story, a favourite moment or chapter? Write it down. Be sure to record or sketch out anything that you think may be important later on.
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PROCESS

  1. Read "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Take notes or write a journal at the end of each chapter.
  2. Fill in the character sketch organizer for one of the three children, Mary, Dickon or Colin. Draw a picture of your character on the back of the organizer.
  3. Choose a scene from the book and take careful notes of the scenery in it as well as the characters and what they do or where they go. Create a shoebox diorama of this scene. Include the characters as well as the scenery.
  4. Include an index card telling what scene you have described in the diorama.
  5. Enrichment Assignment: Turn your favorite scene from The Secret Garden into a play scene. Remember to use the important elements of a play: stage directions, dialogue, costumes, names of characters, and a description of the setting. If time permits, we will ask you to cast some actors and actresses and act out this scene for the class. Don’t forget to look in the book for details that will make your scene come to life.
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RESOURCES
The Secret Garden Online - This is a free copy of the book online to read.


Examples of Dioramas - This site contains mulitple examples of dioramas and how to build them.
A little boy's Diorama - This site contains examples of dioramas children have created, this is one boy's example.
Another little boy's Diorama - Same site as the other little boy, but a different boy's diorama example.

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EVALUTION

0 Incomplete 1 Non Satisfactory 2 Satisfactory 3 Good 4 Excellent
Character Sketch Missing or incomplete Illegible, uses incorrect conventions, several spelling errors Inaccurate character description, some spelling errors Mis-used words, little to no spelling errors Clear character description, no spelling errors, proper essay structure
Drawing of Character Missing or incomplete In pencil and not coloured Coloured, but not inked Inked but not coloured Inked and coloured
Diorama: Visual Appeal Missing or incomplete No background, few pieces of scenery, missing characters Missing characters, Visually messy(i.e. globs of glue everywhere etc) Good scenery and background, barbies or toys used for characters, inconsistent size Good scenery and background, characters present and self created, scene is to scale, visually tidy
Diorama: Index card describing the scene A caption is missing A caption is attempted, but does not give enough detail to understand the diorama. A caption is included and attempts to explain the diorama, but lacks detail A caption is included and explains the diorama using some details.

 A caption is included and explains the diorama using vivid details.
Totals:  /0 /5 /10 /15 /20

 

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CLOSING QUESTIONS

  1. How could a diorama be used in other courses to help you learn better? (i.e. science, phys ed, etc)
  2. In what other ways could you present this information to the class?
  3. How could keeping a journal be useful in other subject areas? (i.e. studying? note taking? etc.)

email Ms. Kolata with your thoughts.

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