Activity Overview
Creating parodies and satires, and modern day adaptations are part of a rich literary tradition. They are also valuable tools for teaching students about literature. Through creative writing, students learn to use literary elements in context, committing these terms to memory. Adaptations are also perfect for connecting to themes in stories, as students should mimic the themes they pull from the original material.
Have students create their own modern day adaptation for The Monsters are Due on Maple Street. For this assignment, you can have students rewrite the ending, rewrite the story in a contemporary setting, or choose an event from history that resonates with the themes of the story. Possible historical examples include the Salem Witch Trials, events leading up to the Holocaust, Japanese Internment Camps, and post 9/11 racial profiling.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a plot diagram for an original story that uses ideas from The Monsters are Due on Maple Street.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Plan out an original story using Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
- Create an image that represents an important moment or set of events for each of the story components. This is YOUR story, so get creative!
- Write a description of each of the steps in the plot diagram.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 21 Points | Beginning 17 Points | Try Again 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descriptive and Visual Elements | Cells have many descriptive elements, and provide the reader with a vivid representation. | Cells have many descriptive elements, but flow of cells may have been hard to understand. | Cells have few descriptive elements, or have visuals that make the work confusing. | Cells have few or no descriptive elements. |
| Grammar/Spelling | Textables have three or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have four or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have five or fewer spelling/grammar errors. | Textables have six or more spelling/grammar errors. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has done both peer and teacher editing. | Work is well written and carefully thought out. Student has either teacher or peer editing, but not both. | Student has done neither peer, nor teacher editing. | Work shows no evidence of any effort. |
| Plot | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram. | All parts of the plot are included in the diagram, but one or more is confusing. | Parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot difficult to follow. | Almost all of the parts of the plot are missing from the diagram, and/or some aspects of the diagram make the plot very difficult to follow. |
How To Create a Modern Adaptation For Old/ Historical Writings
Discuss Some Examples
Before students get started on their own adaptations, teachers can discuss some examples of historical writings that have been adapted into modern writings or movies/ series. This will give students an idea and act as a sample for guidance.
Select a Historical Writing
After telling the objectives of the activity, ask the students to select an old writing that they want to use for their modern adaptation. This modern adaptation can be in any form such as a modern theatre play, a short video, or even a contemporary story.
Identify the Central Ideas and Components
Once the students have selected their text, talk with them about the classic themes and components that the original book had. These could include justice, social status, love, and power. Encourage them to consider how these ideas could be applicable in a contemporary setting. Explain to the students how these core elements will always remain the same for any adaptation.
Discuss Contemporary Setting
Discuss possible contemporary contexts for the adaptation with the students. Encourage experimentation and innovation. For instance, students could think of a contemporary corporate headquarters if the original work is set in a medieval castle. Remind the students to keep the original lesson and essence of the themes in the story despite the time period.
Focus on Language and Use of Technology
Talk about how the speech and language will be updated for a contemporary audience. Encourage the students to utilize modern vocabulary while adhering to the main ideas of the original work. Students can also discuss adding the role of technology into the narrative and use modern ideas such as social media to enhance their story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creating a Modern Adaptation For The Monsters are Due on Maple Street
What is the purpose of creating modern adaptations?
A classic or earlier piece of literature or media is reimagined or reinterpreted in a current context as a modern adaptation. To make the story relevant to a contemporary audience, it requires modernizing components like the setting, characters, and themes. The adaptation serves as a focal point for conveying important themes and ideas from older times to newer audiences according to contemporary changes.
What are some of the main themes from the original narrative of “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” that may be included in the new version?
The original story's main themes include anxiety, paranoia, community, trust, and the possibility of armed confrontation among people. These ideas may be smoothly incorporated into a contemporary environment. Students can use the environment of a corporate office to recreate the narrative.
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