GLArts: Literary Themes and "Skin"

Start today by researching about the life and art of Chaim Soutine.  You will find that Roald Dahl put a historical person into his story.  See if you can find the painting of the wind blown tree mentioned in the beginning. Read what you can find about the painter's life.

Next, look at the following worksheet about Identifying Themes in Literature.  Study the themes listed in the link, then and use details from the life of Chaim Soutine, combined with what you have read so far of the story "Skin," to answer the questions about Theme in this worksheet as well as you can.

Copy the questions and your answers in a Google Doc titled: [your name] "Skin" Theme.  Answer in complete sentences with supporting details.
If you need to look at the story again, here is a link to "Skin" online.  Do not read past line 80 or you will spoil the story for when we read next week.

IEP Student Survey

Please click on the survey and complete it to prepare for your IEP:
 Student IEP Survey

GLArts: Writing a story with an unreliable narrator

Tomorrow (Friday) I will not be here because I am getting my cast off.  You may work in groups of 3 or less (you may choose to work alone). Your rough draft is due on Monday. Your assignment will be to write a story with the following elements:

• You must write from the point of view of a first person narrator who is unreliable (the reader can’t be sure he or she is telling the story accurately).  This may be because of mental illness or instability; it may be due to experiencing an extremely traumatic or exciting event; it may be because they have unusual sense of perception such as synesthesia, colorblindness, claim psychic abilities, etc.: they might just have a reason to lie because they want to cover up the truth.
• The narrator must give some self description. There must be obvious clues that show that the narrator is unreliable. For simplicity, I recommend making the narrator the main character as well.
• Your narrator must describe the setting in which his/her story takes place.
• The story must introduce a conflict or a problem that the main character faces (internal, external, or both).
• The problem must come to some sort of resolution where the character learns, changes, or develops in some way.
• You must use at least 5 vocabulary words (more is even better).
• Complete a plot diagram (like the ones we did earlier this year) to make sure you story is generally planned out and has the necessary parts.

News ELA and Vocabulary Practice

  Today we will continue Go to newsela.com, create a student account, and use this code to sign in to my class: TXSZG

You need to complete 3 articles with quizzes, then show me your score page so I can update your reading comprehension grade.

Then you need to start practicing vocabulary.  This link is to a list I made for our words so far this year:
http://quizlet.com/52701188/8th-grade-glarts-i-flash-cards/
but when you are done with this, try this list to prepare you for college:  http://quizlet.com/46342691/sat-words-1st-set-flash-cards/
I will be testing you on these words several times this year, so make sure you keep reviewing them.

POST INTERVIEW: Creative Documentary (20 points)

This final phase of the project is meant to add interest, detail, and creativity to your interview.

Here are some of your options (choose at least one):

• Photo Documentary (10-20 photographs): pictures of you, the person you interviewed,  the family member you lost, places of importance, objects of importance
• at least 5 photos must be taken by you
• up to half of the photos may be collected from family albums and walls (scanned digitally)
• consider framing live people holding photos
• include captions that describe the photo and credit the photographer.
• Radio Style Audio interviews (edited with introduction and conclusion)
• advice from “This American Life” on making radio
• Visual timeline of their life

My Papa on Dipity.

• http://elearningindustry.com/top-10-free-timeline-creation-tools-for-teachers
• A powerpoint presenting research into a topic relating to your loved one’s life.
• A poem inspired by the project or relating to it

GRADING: Keep in mind that this is a 3-day assignment. To receive full credit, it should be clear that you worked efficiently for three class periods, as well as some effort on your own. Extra credit is available for those who demonstrate about double the required effort in a quality project. THIS PROJECT WILL BE GRADED ON EFFORT, QUALITY, AND RELEVANCE.

GLArts: Vocabulary Review and NewsELA

After you are finished with your two NewsELA quizzes,  take some time to review our vocabulary list on Quizlet.com

Interview Conclusions

Concluding: What we have learned.

Example radio story: TAL-How I got into college.

What is the theme of this story about Emir?

What meaning is the author/reporter drawing from the story?

Why does it matter to you or anyone else?

Is there  metaphor or symbol for the meaning?

The meaning of the story (or the reason it matters)  could be . . .

• a life lesson learned
• a universal observation about life and how the world works
• a personal application of the story
• a challenge to do something
• a resolution to conflict

The purpose of your conclusion is to reflect on the layers of meaning in your interview.