Buried Onions, by Gary Soto
Grid Project
Directions: Choose ONE project below. Due date: ____________________________________
Visual
Choose a scene from
the book and draw a
detailed picture of it.
Auditory
Prepare a speech that
summarizes the main
events of the book.
Application
Create a graffiti mural
about the main ideas in
this book.
Analysis
Re-read Robert Frost’s
“Nothing Gold Can
Stay” and analyze it
closely. Create a
drawing or painting that
communicates the
meaning of the poem
and how it relates to
this book.
Prepare a PowerPoint
or Google Docs
presentation on
modern gangs and
compare them to the
characters in Buried
Onions.
Write and perform a
rap about the most
important things in this
book.
Find five lines that
characters say in this
book. Record yourself
saying these lines the
way you hear them in
your head. If you don’t
think they sound
realistic, change them
to make them better.
Create a musical
“collage”—a collection
of songs—that
represents true street
life today. Explain why
you chose these songs
and how they relate to
the book.
Knowledge/
Comprehension
Synthesis
Evaluation
Imagine that this book
were to be made into a
movie. Create a
sketchbook of the
characters’ costume(s).
Must include at least
five sketches. Explain
why you gave them
these outfits and which
part of the book they
apply to.
Imagine that this book
were made into a
movie. Create a
soundtrack for the
movie. Must include at
least five songs, the
reasons why you chose
these songs, and the
places in the book
where these songs
would be played.
Kinesthetic
Team up with other
students (or work alone
if you prefer). Choose a
scene from the book
and prepare a play of
that scene.
Build a model of one
setting within the book.
Imagine this book were
made into a movie.
Choose a prop that
would be used in the
movie, and build a
model of it. Explain
what you made and
why.
Decide upon a theme
for this book. Create a
collage that represents
this theme. Write the
theme at the top of the
page. Explain why you
chose the images you
used and how they
relate to the theme.
In a group or alone,
create and perform an
alternative ending for
this book, but keep it
realistic.