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Word Study Plan
I have a plan for Word Study that uses a cartoon to emphasize allusion. I'm sending the plan to Alisha and she will post it on this site.

Unsolved Mystery - Research project
I came across this research project at the poster session and was blown away at how many skills are incorporated with this lesson. Virginia Beach Middle School teachers, Stephanie Garner and Heather Blanchard have created a writing/research project that truly captures the students' attention and interests. I have copied the basic steps and proceedures below however if you would like the student handouts and learning plan, please send me an E-mail and I will forward you the attachment. Enjoy!

Unsolved Mystery?
This is a great project for the Virginia Alternative Grade Level Assessment
8.6 Teaching the Research Process: Comprehending and Analyzing a Variety of Informational Sources
PRE-ACTIVITY
Step 1 Introduce the Topic…. “What criteria defines and unsolved mystery?”
In order to gain student’s interest in Unsolved Non-Fiction Mysteries, students will be required to explore various non-fiction articles and complete various reading activities. Examples: Big Foot, Dracula, Stonehenge.
Suggestions: Jigsaw articles, GIST, Walk-a-About with the articles

Step 2 Students will choose their topics.
Please Note: Make a clear distinction to the students the difference between literary beings and factual based evidence of an unsolved mystery or unexplained events.

RESEARCH
Step 1 Directly Stated Facts
8.6 d Three directly stated relevant facts from the book site; one directly stated sentence goes in each fact box.
8.6 d Three directly stated relevant facts from the internet site; one directly stated sentence goes in each fact box.
Students should complete the “Directly Stated Fact Sheet”.
Step 2 Paraphrase Your Facts
After completing the “Directly Stated Fact Sheet”, students should complete the “Paraphrases Fact Sheet”.
Step 3 8.6 f & g Summarize & Evaluate
Combine your paraphrased sentences to create a summarized presentation of your findings.
Step 4 8.6 h & f Conclusions & Making Inferences
Based on the implied and explicit information that you have researched do you think that this unsolved mystery is fact or fiction? Include evidence from your research best supports your answer.
REFLECT
8.6 c, d, & f Analyze &Summarize
Students will critique the text (books and internet sites) to evaluate the accuracy, relevance, and readability of the information that they applied to their written and oral presentation. In order for students to better elaborate their topic, students will write a brief summary of the information found in each source. Refer to the examples provided.
PUBLISH and PRESENT
8.6 f & g Student should provide factual relevant explicit, or implied information to support whether or not they believe this mystery to be fact or fiction. To support their position on the topic, students may want to combine paraphrased facts, summary of research, and implied or explicit information to create a summarized presentation of their findings. In addition, they should have strong topic sentence to entice the audience.


Unsolved Mystery Topics

Abominable Snowman
Aliens
Ancient Astronauts Ancient Astronauts
Angels
Area 51
Atlantis
Basilisks
Bermuda Triangle
Bigfoot
Black Holes
Chupacabras
Cosmic Joker (alien)
Crop Circles
Cyclops
Dragons
ESP: powers of the mind
Fairies
Gargoyles
Ghosts
Giants
Haunted Houses
Hunchback of Notre Dame
Lake & Sea Monster
Leprechauns
Loch Ness Monster
Mermaids
Psychics/ Prophets
Roswell
Stonehenge: Stone Circles
The Broadway Theatre Phantom
The Mummy
UFOs
Unicorns
Vampires
Voodoo
Werewolves
Witches

Character Recipe
Focus: Character traits

You are creating a recipe for a character from your novel. Use your knowledge of characterization to include all aspects of this person. Your goal is to give an overall impression of the character by creating a character recipe index card.

Brainstorm qualities that describe your character. These will be your ingredients. You should have at least 5 ingredients with their corresponding measurements. Then write out the directions for making your character. The directions should be in complete sentences.

In recipe style, list the main ingredients, or qualities, that make up your character. Then use verbs [see below] found in many recipes to bring him/her alive.

Examples: fold, blend, mix, soak, drain, marinate, rinse, cook, simmer, cut, combine, serve, shake well, season, turn, broil, etc.

Make sure you give your recipe an appropriate name and then decorate your recipe card with appropriate graphics.