Mystery Unit Activities

Click on the links below to explore the world of mysteries!

http://www.fbi.gov/kids/games/games.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/J002344/Puzzle.html

Period 6 & 8 Study Guide - short story test

Study Guide

Review the basic story elements and order of events for the following stories (study your plot structures!!!):

“7th Grade”
“Thank You Ma'am”
“Names/Nombres”
“Zebra”
“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi”

You will be tested on the following vocabulary – use your literature book to look up the definitions:

scowl -
linger -
presentable -
suede -
initial -
chaotic -
wince -
intricate -
scuttle -
cower -

Period 4 - Advanced Reading - Short Story Study Guide

Study Guide

Review the basic story elements and order of events for the following stories:

“The Dinner Party”
“The Tell Tale Heart”
“The Monkey's Paw”
“The Hitchhiker
“Third Wish”

You will be tested on the following vocabulary – use your literature book to look up the definitions:

naturalist
arresting
exuberant
subordinate
acute
stifled
lark
nondescript
grimace
peril

Narrative Final Draft due Monday 9/28/09

Final Draft Requirements/Information

80 points

Typed
- double spaced
- 12 or 14 pt. font

Full Heading

Title (optional)

Staple all materials together BEFORE entering class on Monday - remember this like any project you would complete for other classes...would you walk into Mr. Little's room still gluing items to your skyscraper the day it was due or try to finish coloring your book report when I'm collecting it?

Staple ALL materials BEHIND the final draft

1. Final Draft
2. Rough Draft (you have either 1 or 2 rough drafts)
3. Plot Structure Sheet (the one that looks like a mountain)
4. Brainstorm Sheet

Looking for a Good Book?

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

I know sometimes we get "stuck" when it is time to check out a new book! I'm hoping if I post some books I have enjoyed maybe you too will like them!

From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 7-10–What happens when you die? Where do you go? What do you do? Zevin provides answers to these questions in this intriguing novel, centering on the death of Liz Hall, almost 16 years old and looking forward to all that lies ahead: learning to drive, helping her best friend prepare for the prom, going to college, falling in love. Killed in a hit-and-run accident, Liz struggles to understand what has happened to her, grief-stricken at all she has lost, and incapable of seeing the benefits of the Elsewhere in which she finds herself. Refusing to participate in this new life, Liz spends her time looking longingly down at the family and friends back on Earth who go on without her. But the new environment pulls her into its own rhythms. Liz meets the grandmother she never knew, makes friends, takes a job, and falls in love as she and the other inhabitants of Elsewhere age backward one year for each year that they are there. Zevin's third-person narrative calmly, but surely guides readers through the bumpy landscape of strongly delineated characters dealing with the most difficult issue that faces all of us. A quiet book that provides much to think about and discuss.–Sharon Grover, Arlington County Department of Libraries, VA

Open House 9/10/09

I'm eager to meet all of you (parents) at Open House tomorrow night. In the event that you cannot make it, I'm providing some information below that will give you some insight as to what your child will be doing in LA and Reading this school year.

Language Arts
Houghton Mifflin English Textbook
English Workbook
Journals

Reading
The Language of Literature Textbook - 7th grade edition
Extensions in Reading - Book G (ISAT Preparation Book)
Novels - The Cay, The Wanderer, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, Homecoming

Advanced Reading
The Language of Literature Textbook - 8th grade edition
Extensions in Reading - Book G (ISAT Preparation Book)
Novels - The Christopher Killer, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Anne Frank (play version),The Westing Game and possibly more!

As always feel free to contact me at anytime. Email is fastest! shayes@ccsd66.org

Book Report Due 9/24

Create a new book cover!


Book Cover Requirement:
1.)Create a new title for the book. (5 pts.)
2.)Design new cover for the book. (15 pts.)
3.)Write a 8-10 sentence summary of the story and place it on the back cover. (20 pts.)

Front and Back Covers Must Also Be:
In color
Creative
Legible

Summary Must Also Be:
Typed or neatly written
In complete sentences

Book Reports are due by September 24th