The Christmas Box

8th Grade Novels‎ > ‎

Assignments

Close reading of the description of the mansion (page 8)

Rubric:

red block Victorian Mansion
cream and raspberry wood trim
dark green shingles
rounded bay window on west side SUPPORTED a second story veranda balcony that overlooked the front yard
main floor porch and balcony run the length of the exterior
upheld by ornately lathed beams and decorative gold-leaf frieze
brick chimney middle of roof
wood and wrought iron spires that shot up decorously
intricate latticework on base of house
hidden here and there by trimmed evergreen shrubs
cobblestone driveway encircled a black marble fountain in front of the house
surrounded by a snow-covered retaining wall
steps to the front porch
double door entry carved with floral etched glass

Create a plot graph of the novel

In small segments, compare the book with the movie using a Venn Diagram.
Create Christmas "boxes" and write two letters to someone you love.
Write a final 5-paragraph in class essay comparing/contrasting the book with the movie.

Vocabulary

Lathe

noun--a machine for use in working wood, metal, etc. that holds the material and rotates it about a horizontal axis against a tool that shapes it

verb--to cut, shape or otherwise treat on a lathe

Victorian

adjective--of or relating to the reign of Queen Victoria "a Victorian house."

noun--a person who lived during the Victorian era

The Victorian period formally begins in 1837 (the year Victoria became Queen) and ends in 1901 (the year of her death). As a matter of expediency, these dates are sometimes modified slightly. 1830 is usually considered the end of the Romantic period in Britain, and thus makes a convenient starting date for Victorianism. Similarly, since Queen Victoria’s death occurred so soon in the beginning of a new century, the end of the previous century provides a useful closing date for the period.

https://faculty.unlv.edu/kirschen/handouts/victorian.html