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Ironman

Chris Crutcher

Although Chris Crutcher's books are extremely popular with high school students, there is not much information on the web about Ironman in particular. Your mission is to put together a webpage with resources for students and teachers on Ironman. The webpage will consist of articles, pictures, and links related to material in the novel. Some possible assignments are listed below. If you have any other ideas, check with your teacher. You should choose at least one of the assignments. Extra credit will be given if you choose to do more than one assignment. Be sure to coordinate with your classmates in order to avoid repetition. At the end of the page, the criteria for your long composition is outlined.

The Biographer

If you search the web, there are a number of sites that give information on Chris Crutcher's life. Read a few and then write a brief biography of Crutcher for the webpage.

The biography should be about 200-250 words
Provide a link to a relevant site on the life of Crutcher
Provide a link to a good photo of Crutcher

The Book Club Coordinator

What types of books does Crutcher write? Are they all like Ironman? Does he tend to write about similar themes? Again, there are quite a few sites out there that discuss Crutcher's other books. Don't forget Amazon.com and the Ramdom House site.

Your overview of Crutcher's writing should be about 200-250 words
Provide 2 good links to informtion about Crutcher's other books

The Triathlon Trainer

Triathlons are becoming increasingly popular all over the world. Exactly what does a triathlon consist of? What kind of training does a triathlete undergo? This assignment may be done in paragraph form or you may create something like a training schedule. You can find out about triathlons/triathletes by doing an Internet search. One person may focus on male triathletes and another might focus on female triathletes.

Paragraph (200-250 words) or
A visual that adequately describes the components of triathlons and the training needed by triathletes (we need to be able to link the visual to the webpage - please make sure it is on standard-sized paper and preferably done in Word)
At least one good link to a site that discusses triathlons and/or training advice for triathletes

The Ironman Expert

Ironman competitions are also held in many different locations. Does an Ironman competition differ from a regular triathlon? Is there an Ironman triathlon that is the "Daddy" of all Ironman competitions? Either write a paragraph or create a visual that outlines the components of an Ironman competition. This can be something like a chart or even a brochure. You also might consider creating a map that features locations of Ironman competitions.

Paragraph (200-250 words) or
A visual that adequately describes the components of Ironman competitions (we need to be able to link the visual to the webpage - please make sure it is on standard-sized paper and preferably done in Word)
At least one good link to a site that discusses an Ironman competition

The Psychologist

A book is only interesting if the characters are interesting. Choose one of the main characters and write a character sketch about that character. Your character sketch should give the reader a mental picture of what that character is like. We at least need something on Bo and Shelly.

200-250 words that include the following criteria:
1. Brief physical description of the character
2. Why the character is in anger management
3. The character traits that might allow the character to overcome obstacles

The Anger Management Consultant

What is anger? How can we deal with it? You can get plenty of information on this topic from an Internet search.

200-250 word paragraph
2 links on good sites related to anger management; preferably on how to get help if you're dealing with this problem

The Literary Analyst

What are the themes that the author is trying to get across through Ironman? You have discussed this in class; now put together some kind of representation of themes. This may take any form.

200-250 word paragraph or
Illustrate the themes in any manner you like (You may even illustrate the themes musically. Be sure to provide something like a midi file that can be linked to the webpage.)

The Local Expert

Do you know anyone who competes in triathlons? Provide an interview with this person for our website.

Write interview questions before the interview
Provide the graphic designer with a transcript of the interview (you may edit the interview for length)

The Illustrator

If you are the artisitic type, our webpage could use some original artwork. Draw or sketch at least one scene from the book, preferably one that reflects themes. If necessary, write a title and/or caption for the picture. Tastefully done cartoons are acceptable. Remember, we need to put this on a webpage so keep it small.

The Graphic Designer

Do you enjoy creating webpages? Then your mission is to take all of your classmates' work and put it together on a webpage.

Writing Assignment (Click to see grading rubric)

Choose any character from the novel and answer the following essential question in a well-developed composition:

How does the character evolve as a person during the course of the novel?

Introduction: Give background information on the novel in general, including title and author. End the introduction with your thesis statement which should reflect the essential question.

Body Paragraph 1: Describe the character and the problems that he/she has been having.

Body Paragraph 2: Describe his/her experience in Mr. Nak's anger management class. What do the students learn in this class?

Body Paragraph 3: Describe how the character changes as a result of the anger management program.

(In paragraph 3, be sure to discuss the character traits that have helped him/her survive and change.)

Conclusion: Sum up by commenting on what we can learn from this character's struggle to manage his/her anger and deal with the difficult situations he/she has encountered.

Photos from Subaru Ironman Canada