CALL+OF+THE+WILD

Jack London's
__Call of the Wild __

On the PSD web-blog - Create a NEW PAGE: Work in Presentation DOCS or Web page. Upload or insert your final work:

Choose from one of the following suggestions for writing about this short novel: In all choices, find authentic photos to enhance the words, and descriptions in authentic illustration. (Using real, authentic, period photos from the story setting) Your project may use an online Web 2.0 tool; or application designed for story telling; game creation, or simulation. Be Creative!!!!!

A, B and C are individual projects, and D, E & F are best done with a partnership!

A: Describing a Place: (Setting) The location of most of the action of The Call of the Wild, is important to the novel's theme. The now, ice and rugged conditions of the north are a constant reality for people and animals, and these conditions either make creatures stronger or destroy them. Write a descriptive piece about a place that has special meaning for you. Describe your place using vivid words and images. Your images should appeal to the reader's sense of sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. Try to help your reader to understand the special meaning of the place and the effect that it has on you.

B: Point of View: (Character) The Call of the Wild is unusual in that its main character is a dog. London creates in his readers strong emotions toward Buck by writing about Buck's thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a convincing way. Try your hand at writing a scene from the point of view of an animal. First, choose an animal, then decide what will happen in your scene and what the animal's feelings will be toward the action that occurs.

C: Buck's Transformation: Discuss in a short essay the transformation of Buck from a domesticated pet to a rugged animal who can survive in the wild. In your ESSAY, answer the following questions: What is Buck's initial reaction to being kidnapped and trust into an unfamiliar, rough environment? When does he begin to change? What causes the change? In which environment do you think Buck is happiest and most lives up to his potential. Explain your reasoning!

D: Nature Writing: Jack London was fascinated by the rugged conditions of Yukon Territory, and he created vivid images of this area in his writing. What in nature fascinates you the most??? why does this particular aspect of nature catch your interest? Write a descriptive paragraph, or a poem, or a brief dramatic scene that highlights some aspect of nature.

E: An Original BOARD GAME: Working with a partner, create (invent) an original board game based on Buck's journey from Judge Miller's estate to the wilderness of the north. The design of your game can and should use a technology application if you can create one online and use the link to the game on the page on your web-blog. The design of your game and the level of difficulty of your game is completely up to you and your partner. Before you begin, you might want to map for yourselves the different stages of Buck's journey from civilization toward "the call of the wild." Try to use your imagination and avoid creating straight forward question/answer trivia games. (think PS3/Xbox in your design)

F: Planning a Journey North: In the days of the Gold Rush...in the Yukon territory, many people died making their journeys north because they were not well prepared. Working with a partner, plan two trips north to pan for gold: one taking place in 1897 and one taking place in modern 2011-12. What would you have taken with in in 1897? What would you take with you in 2012? How would you communicate with others? Create the maps, plan what items of food, clothing, and equipment you would need for each trip, siting the clear differences between the changes in the past 100 years of travel to the Yukon.