Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Old Shep, My Pal”

In this activity, students will add modern elements to a story they have read to make it more appealing to audiences.

Wallace dislikes the plot of Old Shep, My Pal so much that he is willing to risk his position on the football team rather than say he likes it. Driven by his dislike of the novel, Wallace attempts to change the play based on the novel to make it more enjoyable. Select a novel you have read and adapt it using the strategies Wallace uses in the book. Use the points below to develop your strategy.

• Describe aspects of the novel you dislike and would like to change.
• How might you change the language of the book to make it more enjoyable?
• What plot points would you adjust for your audience?
• How might you add modern elements to the novel?
• What adjustments can you make to the characters?
• What other considerations would you use to adapt the novel?

Share your novel with peers, describing the aspects of the novel you liked and disliked. Then explain the changes you would make to the plot and any other alterations to the novel. Explain why your adapted novel, like Wallace’s, appeals more to audiences.

Teaching Suggestion: Students may find it helpful to discuss the books that did not give them the satisfaction they may have initially hoped for in small groups. Consider instructing students to add details to some of their least favorite novels to create something that appeals to audiences. Then consider asking students to construct an individual project using their discussion with peers as a starting point.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who benefit from additional support with whole-text analysis and multi-step projects may find it helpful to work with a movie plot to analyze details that may improve the film. It may be helpful for students to work on their projects in small groups to generate ideas and share in the presentation of their adaptations.