ELA Class Projects and Activities
Photography Letter Posters
Each student chose and decorated a photography letter in the motivational phrases inspired by the Hunking P.R.I.D.E. motto. Not only did they represent part of the banner, but they each have a motivational message embedded in their letter to help them focus on their goal and put their problems behind them.
Each student chose and decorated a photography letter in the motivational phrases inspired by the Hunking P.R.I.D.E. motto. Not only did they represent part of the banner, but they each have a motivational message embedded in their letter to help them focus on their goal and put their problems behind them.
Painting the Scene
Students chose an appealing paint chip and were challenged with creating an imagined setting using all of the paint colors on the chip in order. They used their knowledge of sensory details and imagery to paint the scene for their readers in preparation for their own narratives.
Students chose an appealing paint chip and were challenged with creating an imagined setting using all of the paint colors on the chip in order. They used their knowledge of sensory details and imagery to paint the scene for their readers in preparation for their own narratives.
Book Club Presentations
Students were grouped together to read and discuss their assigned reading level book out of many titles: All American Boys, The Glass Castle, Farewell to Manzanar, The Breadwinner, Malcolm X By Any Means Necessary, Touching Spirit Bear, Fahrenheit 451, A Girl Named Disaster, The Circuit, or A Long Way Gone. Students completed reading activities with their groups to explain the plot and chose individual activities as well to present to the class. Some even created surveys that conveyed their group's opinion about the book. They recorded audience notes and made connections between many of the books.
Students were grouped together to read and discuss their assigned reading level book out of many titles: All American Boys, The Glass Castle, Farewell to Manzanar, The Breadwinner, Malcolm X By Any Means Necessary, Touching Spirit Bear, Fahrenheit 451, A Girl Named Disaster, The Circuit, or A Long Way Gone. Students completed reading activities with their groups to explain the plot and chose individual activities as well to present to the class. Some even created surveys that conveyed their group's opinion about the book. They recorded audience notes and made connections between many of the books.
Anne Frank STEAM Projects
Students chose their groups through their affinity for either music, architecture, drama, or art. Using physical materials and digital tools, students created albums, buildings, parks, skits, and museum art and artifacts that expressed the plot elements and essential questions of The Diary of Anne Frank play previously read in class.
Students chose their groups through their affinity for either music, architecture, drama, or art. Using physical materials and digital tools, students created albums, buildings, parks, skits, and museum art and artifacts that expressed the plot elements and essential questions of The Diary of Anne Frank play previously read in class.
Figurative Language Interactive Encyclopedia Pages
Students chose a phrase to research and created a visually appealing interactive encyclopedia page equipped with the definition, history of the phrase, usage, images, and a video that featured the phrase. Finally, they presented it to the class while the audience took valuable notes.
Students chose a phrase to research and created a visually appealing interactive encyclopedia page equipped with the definition, history of the phrase, usage, images, and a video that featured the phrase. Finally, they presented it to the class while the audience took valuable notes.
Anne Frank Theatre-in-the-Round
Students gather props and costumes to perform their roles in the reading of the play version of The Diary of Anne Frank by Hackett and Goodrich as we sit in a theatre-in-the-round style. Many are in the running for the Tony Award and many have already won for their scene! Great job using emotion in dramatic reading.
Students gather props and costumes to perform their roles in the reading of the play version of The Diary of Anne Frank by Hackett and Goodrich as we sit in a theatre-in-the-round style. Many are in the running for the Tony Award and many have already won for their scene! Great job using emotion in dramatic reading.
Poe Literary Essay Presentations
Students worked with a writing partner to create writing goals and construct a foundational outline for their literary essays on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. After reading their partners' papers, they gave feedback and constructive criticism. Then they prepared a presentation of their partners' work, which included their favorite excerpt. They presented in front of Poe and their creative biographical poems of his tumultuous life. Wonderful higher level analysis, not only of Poe, but of your partner's writing!
Students worked with a writing partner to create writing goals and construct a foundational outline for their literary essays on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. After reading their partners' papers, they gave feedback and constructive criticism. Then they prepared a presentation of their partners' work, which included their favorite excerpt. They presented in front of Poe and their creative biographical poems of his tumultuous life. Wonderful higher level analysis, not only of Poe, but of your partner's writing!
Research & Speech
Students brainstormed a person from yesterday or today that they would be interested in meeting. They researched facts about the person as well as the causes they represent. Then they created a speech via slideshow incorporating facts and views through the person's perspective to present to a small group. Audience members took notes about the person as well as their powerful message.
Students brainstormed a person from yesterday or today that they would be interested in meeting. They researched facts about the person as well as the causes they represent. Then they created a speech via slideshow incorporating facts and views through the person's perspective to present to a small group. Audience members took notes about the person as well as their powerful message.
Fishbowl Discussion
Students were prepared with answers to questions referring to the text, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes along with other supplementary videos regarding major topics related to the novel. They engaged in valuable dialogue regarding the respect of those with mental challenges, the value of intelligence tests, and the future of AI. Good job relating evidence and sharing personal experiences in your first formal group discussion.
Students were prepared with answers to questions referring to the text, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes along with other supplementary videos regarding major topics related to the novel. They engaged in valuable dialogue regarding the respect of those with mental challenges, the value of intelligence tests, and the future of AI. Good job relating evidence and sharing personal experiences in your first formal group discussion.
Word Challenge Wednesday
Students face word challenges to uncover the cryptic English language. Whether they are given a prefix, root, suffix, or full word, they work tirelessly until one team achieves the goal in the allotted time. Wonderful determination and use of your background knowledge to define each piece of the words.
Students face word challenges to uncover the cryptic English language. Whether they are given a prefix, root, suffix, or full word, they work tirelessly until one team achieves the goal in the allotted time. Wonderful determination and use of your background knowledge to define each piece of the words.
Where are we from? What are we? Where are we going?
Taken from the title of the famous Gauguin painting, students created a thoughtful presentation that shared their personal stories through an "I am from" sensory detail poem, descriptions of three valued artifacts in their lives, and ended with a future wish for their success and a goal to achieve it. Great job presenting in front of the class for the first time.
Taken from the title of the famous Gauguin painting, students created a thoughtful presentation that shared their personal stories through an "I am from" sensory detail poem, descriptions of three valued artifacts in their lives, and ended with a future wish for their success and a goal to achieve it. Great job presenting in front of the class for the first time.
Lit Book Speed "Dating"
Students roved the room to discover books they would like to "date" and signed up accordingly. After spending 5 minutes reading the book, they recorded their opinions of their book and if they were in love or if it just wasn't their type. Students were able to find many books for their independent reading through this activity. Great job everyone!
Students roved the room to discover books they would like to "date" and signed up accordingly. After spending 5 minutes reading the book, they recorded their opinions of their book and if they were in love or if it just wasn't their type. Students were able to find many books for their independent reading through this activity. Great job everyone!
Class Rules
Students were invited to create a list of classroom rules that would help create a community of successful learners. Each class revealed many items that demonstrated respect for themselves, others, and materials. Rules have been compiled and posted in the classroom for everyone to continually refer to throughout the year.
Students were invited to create a list of classroom rules that would help create a community of successful learners. Each class revealed many items that demonstrated respect for themselves, others, and materials. Rules have been compiled and posted in the classroom for everyone to continually refer to throughout the year.
Genre Buddies
Students found several new partners to work with during group activities while reviewing their reading and writing genres. Great job including the entire class!
Students found several new partners to work with during group activities while reviewing their reading and writing genres. Great job including the entire class!