The Burroughs Maniac Museum
Maniac Museum Exhibit Choices:
Make a "wanted" poster for one of the characters in Maniac Magee. Include the following: (a) a drawing or cut out picture of the character, (b) a physical description of the character, (c) the character's misdeeds (or deeds?), (d) other information about the character or object which is important, (e) the reward offered for the capture of the character or object.
Create a sculpture of a character. Use any combination of soap, wood, clay, sticks, wire, stones, old toy pieces, or any other object. A one page character analysis or description must accompany your sculpture.
Maniac Museum Exhibit Choices (cont.):
Create a REAL diary that one of the story's main characters might have kept before, during, or after the story's events. Remember that the character's thoughts and feelings are very important in a diary. You need to have at least 5-10 diary entries of what the character was thinking before, during, or after their experiences.
Be a TV or radio reporter, and give a report of a scene from Maniac Mageeas if it is happening "live". You must bring or send in the audio and/or video recordings/files.
Interview a character. Write at least ten questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story. Have the character answer the questions as you think they would. You must bring in an audio or video recording of the report so we can listen to/view it.
Construct a diorama (three-dimensional scene which includes models of people, buildings, plants, and animals) of one of the main events in Maniac Magee. Include a written description of the scene.
Make a life-sized stand-up character or puppet of one of the people in Maniac Magee. On a note card list the characteristics of the person.
Create a character suitcase or briefcase. Choose five-seven items to place in the case to represent significant items the character needed/used from the story. For example, "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" might call for a soupspoon, a thermometer, a piece of dollhouse furniture, an ad for running shoes, etc. Explain how the items chosen relate to the story.
Write a rap, song, or poem that tells all of the events of Maniac Magee. Create a CD case which represents the story and put your lyrics inside.
Design an advertising campaign to promote Maniac Magee: The Movie. Include (3) of the following: a poster, a magazine or newspaper ad, a bumper sticker, and a button.
Maniac Museum Exhibit Choices (cont.):
Make a collage that represents major characters and events in Maniac Magee. Use pictures and words cut from magazines in your collage.
Design a sweatshirt, T-shirt, or hat based on Maniac Magee. You must bring in the final product. Write the title of the story in the center. Then think of words, phrases, and sentences that illustrate or tell something about your story; think in terms of the theme, setting, plot line, as well as characters.
Create the application that a character you have just read about could write and submit to a college or create a resume for a job. Use all of the information you know and infer and create the rest. On the application/resume include Name, Academic Rank in Class, High School Courses Taken and Grades, Extracurricular Activities and Personal Activities, and Work Experience. Answer these questions from the character's point of view: What experience, event or person has had a significant impact on your life? Discuss a situation where you have made a difference. Describe your areas of interest, your personality, and how they relate to why you would like to attend this college or have this job.
Create a Maniac Magee yearbook. Imagine what at least four characters from the story would be like in high school. Cut out a picture of a person from a magazine to represent each character. Mount one picture per page and under each picture place the following information which you will create: nickname of character; activities, clubs, sports they were in and what years; class mock award-- "class clown"; quotation that shows something about the person and what is important to him or her; favorites such as colors and food; a book that has had a great impact on him or her; voted "most likely to" what?; plans after high school. Do this for at least 4 different characters.
Create a mobile of the significant objects in Maniac Magee. Explain the significance/importance of each object on note cards.