Indian in the Cupboard Project

In class, we have finished reading "The Indian in the Cupboard" by Lynne Reid Banks.  The book was published in 1980 for children at the fourth or fifth grade reading level. It tells the story of a young boy named Omri who receives a plastic Indian on his birthday. When he places the Indian in a cupboard and locks it with a magical key, the cupboard transforms the plastic toy into a real Indian named Little Bear.

Project: What's in Your Cupboard?

Using cardboard or another type of box/container, create your own magical cupboard.  You probably have a cereal box that you could use already!  Using paper, glue, markers, stickers, and/or paint, decorate your cupboard. (5 points)

Select a special toy or figurine that you would like to put in the cupboard. . It does not have to be plastic, as it was in the book, but it must fit in the cupboard. Examples might be: toy dinosaur, stuffed animal, doll, toy car, toy robot, etc.)  Since Omri had to keep Little Bear a secret, try to keep the identity of your toy a secret until it is presented in class! (2 points)

Next, write a short story describing what happens when the toy comes to life.  Little Bear was bossy and demanding.  What is your toy like when it comes to life?  What adventures do the two of you have?  This story should be 100 words long.  (5 points)

When projects are complete, students will do presentations to the entire class and open their cupboard to show the item inside.  They will tell the class what adventures they had with their toy. (3 points)

This project is worth 20 points and will be due on Wednesday, March  21^st after Spring break.  Students are encouraged to be creative and have fun!