Classroom

Classroom Activity Ideas

Centennial
1. Find pictures or drawings of the Native American tribes described in Centennial in the library or on the internet. Try to find out the materials the clothes/objects they have are made of and their symbolic significance. (suggested for grades 6-12)
2. Draw a map of the journey Levi Zendt made from Pennsylvania to Colorado. Try to find pictures or illustrations of locations on his journey. (grades 3-8)
3. Write down all of the recipes found in Centennial and write a paragraph explaining where the recipe fits into the story. (grades 3-8)
4. Compare and contrast Clay Basket and Lise Bockweiss. (grades 6-12)
5. Make a genealogical chart for some of the main characters of the story. (grades 6-8)
Any Michener novel
1. Write about the themes, motifs or symbolism in the book. (grades 8-12, college)
2. Analyze the major characters in the book in terms of one particular subject or issue. (grades 8-12, college)
3. Describe the different points of view in the book. What is significant about them? (grades 8-12, college)
4. How is setting important in the story? (grades 6-12)
5. Describe the role women have in the book. How do you feel about Michener's portrayal of female characters? Why? (grades 8-12, college)
6. Write journal entries from one of the character's perspectives (even those who were illiterate). Write some entries before the story, some during and some after. (grades 8-12, college)
7. Write a full (physical, emotional, relational) description of three of the characters in the book. Draw a portrait to accompany each description. (grades 6-12)
8. Create a mini-comic book illustrating a chapter or section of the book. (grades 6-12)
9. Use magazine photos to make a collage about the story. (grades 3-8)
10. Write a different ending for one of the characters in the novel. (grades 6-12, college)
11. Write a scene that isn't in the book. (grades 8-12, college)
12. What other story could have taken place at this same time and setting? Write the plot and about 4 or 5 characters in this new book. (grades 8-12, college)
13. Make a model or diorama of one of the settings in the book. (grades 3-8)
14. Make a dictionary containing 20 or more difficult words from the book. (grades 3-8)