Plastic Planet Discussion Paper
For this project, you will research an issue about plastics; you will write and publish a children’s book, and you will make a digital movie (mp4) reading of that book.
The Steps:
- Watch “A Radical Plan to End Plastic Waste” https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_forrest_a_radical_plan_to_end_plastic_waste
- Scroll through and read NPR’s “Plastics: What’s recyclable, what becomes trash – and why https://apps.npr.org/plastics-recycling/
- Watch “Plastic Planet” https://librus.hccs.edu/record=b2074334 https://library.hccs.edu/ideas
- Choose a topic from one at the list at end of this page and complete the Cube Exercise (I chose ‘FOOD WASTE’ from the list)
STEP 1: Cube Exercise
Answer these in a file
Step One: The Cube Exercise:In this step, you will develop your ideas and themes into a direction for researching and writing your book. This should be answered as short answers with numbers and complete sentences. This is not an essay. Complete the following:
- Write a question that describes the theme(s) of the book you will write?
- Write a statement that describes the basic plot of your book — this a working thesis statement. If you are struggling,use the “dummy thesis” and finish this statement: “This book is about …”
Make a list of four potential characters: include at least seven specific identifying demographic pieces of information for EACH.
- Make a list of three potential settings — remember, you need both time and place.
- What is the conflict that the characters will face in your book?
- Write a theme statement (remember, this answers the question “What is the point or message of my book.” Ultimately, this theme statement becomes your “lesson.”
Remember, you may not write a book about cleaning the beach or a playground (or anything along those lines). You may not write about a kid who sees mess and gets his friends/family/classmates to “clean it up.” You may not write about sea life eating or coming into contact with trash or plastics. These are tired plot lines. Be original.