A Christmas Carol
Unit Objectives
Students will:
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enhance their reading skills by reading, analyzing and discussing the novelette, A
Christmas Carol
record and learn new vocabulary words from the reading assignment
state the major theme and explain how it is developed
explore the social issues that Dickens raises within his literary work
state their opinion of the book and provide specific details from the work to support
their generalizations
Unit Extension Opportunities
Due: _______________
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Research traditional holiday foods of the Victorian time period (1837 – 1901) and select one
recipe that you (not your folks) are willing to make and bring to class to be sampled by your
peers.
 Create a recipe card for your chosen dish. Be sure to include recipe ingredients,
preparation directions, and an explanation of the origin of the dish.
 Have an “action photo” of you taken preparing the dish.
 Bring in a sample, a small bite is sufficient, for each of your classmates to taste.
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Research traditional holiday decorations used during the Victorian era and select one that
you are willing to make and bring to class for display.
 Create the decoration as closely as you can to mimic the original Victorian look and
style.
 Have an “action photo” of you taken creating your masterpiece.
 Write a brief, one paragraph summary of the origin of the decoration.
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Research traditional holiday music from the Victorian era. Choose a work to perform either
as a song, dance, or musical composition. Make a video of your performance to be viewed in
class.
 You may work with a partner or small group for this project if it will enhance the
performance.
 Write a brief, one paragraph summary of the origin of the work.
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Research traditional fashion from the Victorian era. Create a poster that depicts the typical
fashion of Victorian men, women, and children.
 Pictures may be hand-drawn or graphics from the internet may be used.
 At least one paragraph of explanation needs to be provided for each costume
displayed on the poster. These explanations need to be detailed and must
describe/name the various features of the dress.
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Research social conditions that were of concern during Dicken’s time. Create a powerpoint
presentation that provides information on the following: Poor Law; Safe Streets and Prisons;
Workhouses; Industrial Safety; Labor Conditions; Child Welfare.
 The presentation should be a combination of graphics, pictures, and informative text.
The text needs to be detailed and accurate.
 The presentation should be saved to a disk and will be viewed in class.
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Create a dramatization of one of the major scenes in the novel. The dramatization may
either be videotaped, to be viewed in class, or performed live.
 You may work with a partner or a small group, as long as each participant has a
substantial role.
 Be sure to address costume, set, props, sound effects, narration, etc.
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Create an educational unit guide designed for an 8th grade class that enables students to
learn about the novel’s plot, characters, setting, theme, and vocabulary. The unit guide
should include:
 3 different activities/lessons that connect to the novel or to the Victorian time period
 Vocabulary worksheet; At least 20 new vocabulary words need to be identified and
defined
 Test, at least 30 questions
 Answer keys need to be provided for ALL activities (lessons, vocabulary worksheet,
and test)
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Create a “pictorial” of the novel that tells the story sequentially through an artistic, visual
depiction. If the pictorial is hand-drawn:
 Include at least 6 pieces of art (minimum size – 9 x 12), one piece that represents
each stave and one piece that you would design as a cover-page for the novel
 Each piece of art needs to have a brief summary/explanation (2-3 sentences) and
one direct quotation from the novel that summarizes the picture
If the art comes from “other” sources (internet, etc.):
 Include at least 7 images for each stave and one selection for a cover-page
(minimum of 36 pictures)
 Each piece of art needs to have a brief summary/explanation (2-3 sentences) and
one direct quotation from the novel that summarizes the picture
 Both a hard copy and an electronic file must be submitted
Do you have another idea for extra credit??? Just ask…