The Kite Runner
Digital Literacy Project
Note: We will be in the lab for this project on 12/9, 12/10, and 12/15. Your project
will be uploaded to a Google Docs page by 12/16.
Objective: To show an understanding of the themes, characters, important turning points,
and symbols of the story through the use of technology.
Process: You will create a website to illustrate the following aspects of the book:
Themes – Each group member will choose one major theme reflected in the book. Explain the
theme and how the author gets that theme across to the reader. Then illustrate the theme in
some way.
Sample Themes from The Kite Runner:
Redemption
Betrayal
Guilt
Parent/Child Relationships
Loss of Innocence
Memory & The Past
Society & Politics in Private Lives
Symbols – We all know the kite itself is an important symbol in this story. It symbolizes not
only Amir’s self-torture, but also his eventual release. What other symbols are there throughout
the book? As a group, choose one and explain what it is, what it symbolizes, and why it is
important. Also include a picture of the symbol.
Sample Symbols from The Kite Runner:
Kites
Cleft Lip
Pomegranate Tree
The Lamb
The Monster in the Lake
Character Evolution – choose one major character (Amir, Hassan, Baba, Rahim Khan, Ali,
Assef, Soraya, Sohrab, General Taheri) and show how that character changes throughout the
course of the book. Make sure you include personality traits and motivation. Your evaluation of
the chosen character must include your statement on the growth or change of your chosen
character and at least one of the following:
Custom Tombstone that tells a story fitting of your character.
(http://www.tombstonebuilder.com/)
Custom Poster that illustrates information about your character.
(http://www.fakemovieposter.com/)
Digital Picture College that illustrates information about your character.
Appropriate Video that depicts an aspect of your characters life.
Turning Points – There are many important turning points in this story. Choose one and tell
me why it is important and how that turning point affects the outcome of the story. Tell me
how the story would be different if the turning point were changed or not included at all.
Product: Your website will need ARTICLES or separate PAGES for each of the aspects listed
above. Each member of your group will need to complete 1 of the THEME assignments. Each of
the other aspects should be divided amongst the different members of your group. The website
should be both aesthetically pleasing and educational. Make sure that the author/creator of
each aspect of the website is given credit accordingly. Again, this is due on 12/16.
Teacher’s Comment:
Be creative in the design of your website: make it stand out. You will be graded on creativity,
artistic impression, and how well you explained each piece. Each explanation should be at least
8-10 sentences. Have fun with it. Remember, however, minimum effort gets a minimum grade.
What you need to do:
1. Use WEEBLY to create your free website. (http://www.weebly.com/)
2. Make sure that the front page of your website depicts an academic website that is dedicated
to discussing Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Remember that creativity is encouraged.
Be creative with all aspects of the website, including what you name your page.
3. Make sure to name both the author and the book on the first page. Also be sure to include
all of your group members’ names somewhere on the page.
4. Majority of your information should be original. That said, I do not mind you researching
information for your page; however, EVERYTHING that you use from a source must be cited.
All sources for each individual posting must include a link to all sources as well as
parenthetical citations within the post.
STANDARDS:
ELACC11-12W6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing
products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.
ELACC11-12W6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing
products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.
ELACC11-12SL5: Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in
presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.
ELACC11-12W1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning
and relevant and sufficient evidence.
ELACC11-12W2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information
clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
ELACC11-12W3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, wellchosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
ELACC11-12W4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate
to task, purpose, and audience.