Puzzle Piece Project for Literature Circles

This Fall we finished our first literature circles. I'd say it was fairly successful! This year was trial and error considering it was the first time for everything! I took this idea from another teacher and made it my own to tie in with the unit. Each literature circle completed a puzzle poster that tied elements of the story together. This is a great project that doesn't require all of the project to be completed in class, students simply take their puzzle piece home with them to work on it!

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Life as We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Requirements:

• title piece with author and group names
• plot diagram
• favorite quotes with explanation
• main character(s) bio
• essential vocabulary (works well with science fiction and fantasy)
• favorite scene with explanation
• figurative language
• student choice
• book critique

Paper Container

"Hall Pass" paper container

I never saw the purpose of buying paper just to scribble so and so to the library or please excuse so and so for being late to class...or for that matter to waste an entire sheet of paper to make a mini to-do list....so I made these containers with a 12-pack diet coke container and they work really well!

Supplies needed: 12x12 scrapbook paper(one sheet), diet coke 12 pack, mod podge, paintbrush, scissors, tape(optional)

First, take your cola 12-pack fridge friendly container and trim it down to about 3-4" tall..this is how tall your basket will be! I chose to use packing tape to reinforce the bottom.

Next, place your trimmed cola container in the center of your 12x12 scrapbook paper sheet (face down)

Use mod podge to glue that sucker :)

Draw a straight line from the corners of the box to the edge of your paper, just do this on two sides (opposite sides) and cut on the lines. Soak the side of the box and your scrap paper with glue...

Fold over the paper and tuck inside the box :) You can see my lines weren't "perfect" but oh well!

Now let's work on the other two sides of the box. I folded the corners over like so (above) so when I wrap them around the box it looks nice! Be sure to add a generous amount of glue to the box and scrapbook paper!

In this picture I have already folded one side and glued it to the box (the back side) notice that I have a little scrapbook paper leftover on top? I will trim it!

be sure to make small cuts in the corners so you can fold the paper over into the inside of the box!....THEN trim the extra paper!

Paper is trimmed and ready to be folded...it will sort of remind you of wrapping a present at this point...or maybe even a Chinese carryout container?

I use a paper-cutter to make scrap paper to fit into these containers...perfect size for a quick "note to self" or "to do list" or hall pass!

Pretty! Inexpensive :)

ELA Student Glossary 8th Grade Terms

Materials needed: colored paper for the cover, 10-15 sheets of notebook paper, stapler, and decorative duct tape :)

In the beginning of the school year I have my students make a mini student glossary. About once a week we add terms to the glossary relating to the topic we are focusing on at the moment. Each term is complete with examples we relate to our class novel or short stories we are familiar with. All the terminology will be useful for upcoming state tests, next year's LA class, and just to use as a quick reference guide.

Terms Used This Year:

• simile
• metaphor
• theme
• foreshadowing
• credibility
• open-ended questions
• inference
• connotation
• denotation
• plot structure (exposition, complication, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution)
• character types (protagonist, antagonist, flat, round, static, dynamic, etc.)
• alliteration
• symbolism
• oxymoron
• suspense
• irony (verbal, situational, dramatic)
• allusion
• idiom
• conflict in literary work
• tone
• mood
• ...more to come!

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

During a long term position I got to read The Cay as a class. It's a really good read (for the 6th grade) and there was something I thought I would give a try NEXT time I get the opportunity to do this book in class.

I would plan on dividing the class into "Teams" and doing "Team Activities" throughout the book. Here is a preliminary plan for this novel unit (just team signs and activities for now!)

This is the overview of the Team Challenges

Team Signs, I plan to Laminate these and place them on their desk/tables before we begin the novel

More The Cay activities to come! I love this book!

--Sarah

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

I got this idea while subbing at a middle school. The 6th graders were reading Roll of Thunder and their teacher played the role of narrator while assigning speaking roles to students. This works really well for this book! Later, I had the opportunity to use this in a classroom during a long-term subbing position.

Roll of Thunder "actor cards"

Students can either be randomly assigned a speaking role (using what I call their "actor cards") or volunteer for a speaking role. There are 12 chapters so plenty of opportunity for every student to have a chance to "act"! Simply place the "actor card" on the students desk during classroom reading. It helps to keep everything organized as well as keep the student on task!

Unfortunately I do not have these cards available for download, I lost the file :(
I do, however, have the list of chapters each character has a speaking role.

Stacey Logan: all
Papa Logan: 2, 7-12
Little Willie: 4,8
Little Man: all except ch. 5
Melvin Simms: 4, 10, 11
Mrs. Berry: Ch. 4
Sheriff: 11
Mae Turner: 4
Big Ma: all except 1 & 11
Mr. Granger: ch 7 & 8
Mama Logan: all except 5 and 11
Claude Avery: ch. 8
Mr. Barnett: ch. 5
R.W. Simms: ch. 10
Mr. Turner: Ch. 4
Kaleb Wallace: ch 4, 10, 11
Cassie Logan: all
Christopher-John: all except 5
Mr. Jamison: ch. 7,9,11,12
Mr. Grimes: ch. 3
Miss Crocker: ch 1 & 8
Mr. Morrison: 2, 4, 7-10, 12
Uncle Hammer: 6, 7, 10
Thurston Wallace: 11
Mr. Simms: 5, 8
Mr. Lanier: 2 & 9
May Lou: 1
Mrs. Silas Lanier: 2
T.J. Avery: all except 2 and 12
Jeremy Simms: 1,3,5,7-10,12
Mr. Avery: 2,3,9
Lillian Jean: 5,8
Mrs. Avery: 2, 11

I hope that covers everything :)

Reading Incentive Scratch Cards!

Anytime I was given the opportunity to scratch and win, I took it. I do not play the lottery, but I did not hesitate to buy a scratch ticket on my 18th birthday! Scratch and Win is ALWAYS fun and I wanted to bring this into the classroom. I got this idea from pinterest and made it my own.

These are my "Reading Incentive" scratch cards!

Just place contact paper OVER cardstock paper, mix acrylic paint with dishwasher liquid. It will take a few layers of paint to cover the words completely!

I plan to pass out the incentive cards when students are performing beyond expectations such as doing extra enrichment activities, exceeding the reading goals, and always being prepared for reading class.

My prizes range from: Stickers, a Supply Baggie (fun school supplies), Bag of Book Worms (we looove candy!), V.I.P. seating in classroom, extra credit points, a homework pass, and the gift of a free book! Naturally some options have a higher chance of being picked, but the student is a winner every time!

Pizza Pie Plots

I took this idea from a teacher at my old middle school. She is soo creative! I wanted to create an example of this plot pizza to keep in my files. I think this project is fun and will let students' creative juices flow!

There are 8 slices. Slices 1-5 are important plot points. #6 is dedicated to the setting. #7 is the recommendation slice. #8 can be the student's choice! I made a slice showing each family member's special savvy.