It is still difficult to believe that the semester is coming to a close. It has been a great first semester, and I am looking forward to all the students will learn and accomplish next semester. I hope that everyone has a lovely break while spending time with family. Be safe during any travels. Thank you for all of your support. It has been a wonderful experience to work with such amazing parents.
Royal Readers
A. Angela Chen 217, Migo 46
B. William Chen 118, Johnathan 110
E. Daniel Fan 137, William Chiu 74
F. Prudence 43, Brian 38
G. Estella 103, Jenny 67
Seventh Grade
Seventh graders finished up their folklores around the world. After finding a folklore retold in three different countries, they had to rewrite it, make it modern, and have the setting in Taiwan. Then, the students had to animate their story. Over the break, students have a novel and project to complete. Students have already been given the book earlier this week.
Stargirl
Over winter break, you will be reading the book Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.
You will have two things to complete relating to this book.
1. Say Something
You will keep a “Say Something” record on PAPER. This record will include from 2-4 Predictions, Questions, Clarifications, Comments or Connections per chapter. Make sure you label your entries as to what chapter they belong to.
2. Game
After reading the book, you will make a game board about the story. It is up to you how you create the game. You can model it on a game that you have played before or you can invent your own. Games will be graded by playing them, so make sure that you give specific directions, correct answers and your peers will be able to understand how to play. (When others are playing your game, you will not be able to give directions.)
Your game needs:
- a game board
- questions (and answers) about the story
- Instructions and rules on how to play the game
- All pieces for playing the game need to be included
No digital projects.
Both parts of the projects are due on January 14, 2013.
Eighth Grade
Eighth graders just finished their project based learning of their own topical units. The students chose their area to study, final project, and ending with a reflection of learning. They put forth a lot of hard work and effort. Over the break, students have a novel and project to complete. Students are assigned to different groups and they will be doing a discussion on Edmodo and choosing a final project.
Choose one of the following for your final project.
THE PROJECTS ARE INDIVIDUAL.
DEAR _____: Retell the novel through a series of letters to and responses from advice columnist (Ann Landers, Abby, etc.). The letters can be from one character or from many. The responses from the advice columnist are your ( the reader) reactions to the events of the story. Be creative. Make up your own column!
MISSING IN ACTION: The main character of you novel is missing. Develop a missing person’s folder for the police department. Include interviews with key characters, clues concerning the missing person, and an official police report form. Use information from the novel as well as creative imagination to put the file together; compile all the pieces into a manila folder or file.
SCRAPBOOK MEMORIES: Create a scrapbook for the main character based upon the novel. The scrapbook could contain pictures, mementos, postcards, etc. that detail the story. Each item in the scrapbook should have a note saying why it appears in the scrapbook. The book should also be in chronological order. Make it colorful and creative.
SONG REMAKE: Take the words to a song that you know (Brady Bunch, Looney Tunes, etc.) and replace them with words to match your story. Include names of characters, main events, setting, etc.
LIMERICK: Write a limerick for each main character in your book, and present them to the class. Follow the correct format.
TANGRAMS: Tangrams are ancient Chinese puzzles used to tell stories. Use tangram pieces to summarize the beginning, middle, and end of your story. For example, if the beginning of your story takes place on a boat you might create a boat out of the tangrams.
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP: A new mall is being developed and it is built along a special theme. The mall will be based on the main characters. All the stores in the mall will be connected to the main characters in some way. Design a 3-D layout of the mall, write a short brochure describing each store or business, and develop a flyer for the grand opening of the mall. Your mall should have at least ten different businesses in it.
DIORAMA: Create a model or diorama of the setting of your book using natural materials such as sticks and grass. Use detail!
No digital projects.
