Arlington Classics Academy
Fourth Grade
Robinson Crusoe Final Project
Marshall
Name: ________________________________ Teacher: _______________________ Due Date:
11/11/13
Background: The story of Robinson Crusoe was inspired by a real-life castaway. In
1705, Alexander Selkirk, a Scotsman argued angrily with the captain of his ship over
whether or not the boat was too leaky to sail. After the boat stopped to get fresh
water at an island in the Pacific Ocean, Selkirk refused to go back on board. Four and
a half years later another English ship visiting the island saw a signal fire and found
Selkirk still alive. Today, the island is named for him.
Project: In lieu of a novel assessment, students will complete one of the projects
listed below. Each of the projects is designed to tap individual creativity and
promote reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
Grades: A rubric is attached that outlines each project. Projects will be scored using
their individual rubric. Please note that points will be deducted for incorrect
spelling, grammar mistakes, punctuation errors, and incomplete sentences.
Creativity: Creativity Is Key! Have fun creating your chosen project. Please do not
let the rubric provided for your project limit you.
Project Choices:
Project #1: Powerpoint Project
Students will create a powerpoint presentation about the book Robinson Crusoe.
The presentation needs to be at least 8 slides in length and no more than 10 slides in
length. Each slide in the project needs to clearly communicate information about
the novel Robinson Crusoe. Powerpoint presentations need to be printed off and
also saved onto a thumbdrive.
Project #2: Map of Crusoe’s Island
Students will draw a 2D map or create a three dimensional map of Crusoe’s island
where he spent 28 years, two months, and 19 days of his life. The map needs to
include significant structures Crusoe built, landforms he described, and clearly
depict the island on which he resided. 2D maps need to be created on a full or half
sized sheet of posterboard. 3D maps need to be made using clay, foamboard,
cardboard, recycled materials, etc.
Project #3: I’m A Survivor Commercial
Students need to create a television commercial that includes five items they are
trying to “sell” to potential castaways to aid in their survival on a deserted island.
Arlington Classics Academy
Fourth Grade
Robinson Crusoe Final Project
Marshall
Items must be represented in the commercial. The television commercial needs be
filmed at home and burned to a CD or DVD.
Project #4: Personal Letter
Students will put themselves in the shoes of a castaway and write a personal letter
to a friend or family member. The letter needs to include 3 main challenges to with
which they are faced with on a deserted island. Students will need to explain what
the challenges are and talk about their plans to try and overcome the obstacles they
are faced with. (Personal letter format needs to be followed)
Project #5: Cartoon Characters
Students will create a cartoon that includes the main characters from the story
Robinson Crusoe. Students need to choose key scenes for their characters and book,
find landscapes and props that fit the scenes, and compose related dialogue. The
comic strip needs to be 6 to 8 panels in length.
Project #6: Interview With A Character
Write at least ten questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his
thoughts and emotions that he had during his time on the island. Film your interview
with your character. (You can be the character or you can be the reporter.) Your
interview needs to be filmed at home and burned to a CD or DVD.
Project #7: In The News
Write a feature article (with a headline) that tells the story of the book as it might be
found on the front page of a newspaper on the island where the story takes place.
Include a colored illustration with your article.
Project #8: Diorama
Construct a diorama (three-dimensional scene which includes models of people,
buildings, plants, and animals) of one of the main events of the book. Include a
written description of the scene.