After Reading Activities for The Outsiders
Character Activities
1. Prepare a scrapbook that represents the life of one of the characters. See the rubric for details.
2. Make paper dolls for 2 of the main characters. Show 2 changes of clothes for each as well accessories that they may have. (i.e., hair brushes or combs, hats, cell phones, etc.)
3. Design a “post secret” postcard for two of the characters. The text must accurately represent the characters’ personalities (a secret…shame or hope that the characters have never told anyone except you)
Postcard Activity Checklist
q Plan the messages
q Plan graphics (pictures for the front of the cards)
q Cut thin cardboard to postcard size, approximately 15 cm by 11 cm
q Draw the front of the postcard
q Print the message on the postcard
q Print the address on the postcard
q Draw a stamp on the postcard
q Put your name on the bottom right hand corner of the front of the card (the picture side)
4. Bio Poem
Directions: After reading The Outsiders in your classroom, write two bio poems on two character of their choice. The form is as follows:
How to Write a Bio Poem
Line 1 First Name
Line 2 Three or four adjectives that describe the person
Line 3 Important relationship (daughter of…mother of…., etc.)
Line 4 Two or three things, people or ideas that the person loved
Line 5 Three feelings the person experienced
Line 6 Three fears the person experienced
Line 7 Accomplishments (who composed…who discovered, …etc.)
Line 8 Two or three things the person wanted to see happen or wanted to experience
Line 9 His or her residence
Line 10 Last name
Sample Bio Poem
Janet
Heroic, brave, fierce, loving, activist
Wife of Randy Connors
Who loved equality for all, justice and her family
Who hated injustice, endured discrimination and acted on her feelings of anger
Who feared that the her husband died for nothing, feared that justice would not prevail and fears that she might die during the winter
Who changed history as she took on the Provincial Government and the Canadian Red Cross and got compensation for victims
Who wanted to see those responsible for the tainted blood scandal brought to justice and ensure that the tragedy would never happen again
Lives, with AIDS, in Nova Scotia
Connors
Each “line” need not be limited to only one line of type. You can express yourself in sentences as well as word lists.
5. Compare and contrast the Socials and the Greasers. Using a Venn diagram list the ways the two groups are alike and how they are different. Include at least 6-10 items in each section.Then use the venn diagram to give examples from the book to explain each similarity and difference.
6. Design a personal coat of arms for one character in the novel. Use color!
7. Explain why you would like to have one of the characters as a friend. Write three paragraphs (5 sentences for each paragraph) explaining. Paragraph one:
8. Write three diary entries as they would be written by one of the major characters. Include the page numbers in the book that the character is writing about. Each diary entry must be at least five sentences.
9. Describe an experience you've had that was like the experience of a character in the book. Explain in three paragraphs. Each paragraph must have five full sentences.
Plot Activities
1. Describe 3 different types of literary conflicts that arise from the story. (1/3 page each)
2. Create a ten panel (or more) cartoon/comic strip that shows the plot of the story. Create a timeline and show where each panel of the above comic fits on this timeline.
3. Find a quote from each chapter that really strikes you as significant. Give the quote, the page number, who said it and why they said it, and why you think it is important to the book.
Eg. "He'd rather see those nocount hoodlums than his own folks..."
This quote of Johnny's mom is significant. When she says this to the doctor it shows why Jonny doesn't like his parents. It proves that she doesn't know that much about the Greasers. They cared about Johnny more than his own folks did. I think the lesson to be learned from this is that some people have a rough home. It's to bad Johnny had to deal with this. Clearly this is an important quote.
4. PowerPoint presentation. Prepare a PowerPoint slide show giving author information, character information, setting information, plot summary and your personal review of the book that would convince others to read it. Prepare a minimum of ten slides.
5. Find a song that seems to relates to the novel. Write out the lyrics and then write an explanation of how they relate to The Outsiders. Your explanation must be a minimum of three paragraphs long (five sentences per paragraph)
6. Write a letter to the author about your feelings toward the book. Your letter must follow the friendly format we have used.
7. Create an original board game based on the novel. See the rubric for details.
8. You are the director of the remake of the movie The Outsiders. Who would you cast for each character and why would you cast them?