Final Exam- Fictional Story

Fictional Book Assignment Final Exam                                    DUE DATE May 17 & 20, 2013

Total Points = 200

Students will write and publish a fictional book for their end-of-the-year project and Final Exam.

The project is designed to give students the opportunity to sit in the writer’s chair and experience the planning and forethought of writing with the reader in mind. In addition, the culminating project allows students to demonstrate all of the literary and comprehension skills mastered throughout the school year.

Here are the requirements:

1. Students will produce an Overview Sheet (75 POINTS)
2. Minimum 4-page typed story (50 POINTS)
3. Literary Elements (75 POINTS)

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Overview Sheet will include the following:

I) Plot Elements (3-5 sentences to describe each)

Ø      Exposition

Ø      Rising Action including Major Conflict

Ø      Climax

Ø      Falling Action

Ø      Resolution

2) Characters (a brief description, 3-5 sentences giving insight into the character(s)

3) 30-word or less summary of story

4) Theme Statement - 1 sentence

5) Author Online (ref. Textbook for examples).  Include a brief description (5-7 sentences).  Details should be important and relevant

Ø     

6) Story Background section (ref. Textbook for examples) - a brief description (3-5 sentences) of the specific details important to understanding the story

7) Self Reflection - to include a 5-7 sentence reflection about how you have come to realize the reader and the writer are ONE.

Layout

• 1 inch margins (top/bottom & left/right)
• 8 ½ by 11 paper
• Size 12 font
• Ariel, Calibri, or Times New Roman font *Comic if compliments story
• Double Spaced
• Typed pages – minimum of 4 pages, maximum 8
• Title page, prologue page (which is optional), and separate illustration pages are NOT included in the 4-8 page count.

Cover Page

·        Title (must have)

·        Illustration (optional)

Literary Elements Checklist
Literary Devices

• Use of Figurative language- at least 5  (highlight them)
• *show 2 examples of irony (highlight them)
• Use of Descriptive and Sensory Details

Text Features

• At least two (2) examples of text features per page – your choice
• At least  2 footnotes for the story (this may count as one of your text features)

Illustrations (captions are optional)

• At least 2 for the story (your title may count as one)
• *If illustration(s) take more than 1/3 of the page, then that page is not counted as a full page.

Conflict

• Along with an external conflict, show the character(s) experiencing inner conflict as well.

Ending

• Will the reader have to predict the ending as in “The Lady or the Tiger”?
• Will the ending have a twist to it as in “Ransom of Red Chief” or “Tell, Tale Heart”?
• Will the ending have a predictable resolution as in “The Scholarship Jacket”?

Guidelines

(The items with a check mark symbol are MUST-HAVES)

(The items with a diamond symbol are your choice to choose where you want to implement)

 

Exposition:

Engaging scene/setting (descriptive details and sensory details about place/time, etc )

ü       Background information gives information about the characters – what are their traits, likes, dislikes, emotional status, what they want….

ü       Characters – not all of the characters will be introduced here - whoever is relevant to the details as they are presented

ü       Show how events are relevant to each other

v      Foreshadowing might be good here

Rising Action:

ü       Show how the itty-bitty events/situations provide a build-up to the MAIN conflict

ü       Show cause and effect relationships

ü       Show action

ü       Show internal conflict

ü       Show Tone

ü       Some use of Literary Devices here would be a good idea

ü       NOTE: characters reaction to the Main conflict can be literal or inferred

Climax:

ü       Create Suspense

ü       Use of TONE is necessary

ü       Don’t solve the main conflict here

ü       Thru dialogue and character’s reactions, show how the characters are dealing with the process of      solving conflict.

ü       Don’t make the unfolding of the events too predictable

Falling Action:

ü       Begin the process to solve the conflict

ü       Show how characters are dealing with the up-coming resolve

ü       Provide keen insight into characters' feelings

ü       Perhaps, show the main character (or supporting character) ready to make a change - evolve

Resolution:

Make sure your style for the resolution is supported by the text. Remember, you have choices

• Will the reader have to predict the ending as in “The Lady or the Tiger”?
• Will the ending have a twist to it as in “Ransom of Red Chief” or “Tell, Tale Heart”?
• Will the ending have a predictable resolution as in “The Scholarship Jacket”?

ü       Wrap up loose ends.

ü       Answer some questions or bring closure to loose ends mentioned in the Exposition or Rising Action

ü       Provide dialogue or narrator's comments to show the importance of info given in the Exposition

ü       Make sure the reader feels satisfied, surprised, or wanting more!

ü      Note: In addition to Irony, ensure other types of Figurative Language have been woven into the story. 

Student Name: ______________ Class Period _______ Name of Story ___________Date:_________ 

Overview Sheet will address the following:

Brief description (3-5 sentences) for each

1.     Exposition

2.     Rising Action

3.     Major Conflict

4.     Climax

5.     Falling Action

6.     Resolution

Brief description (3-5 sentences) of the Characters – complete all that apply

7.     Character 1:

8.     Character 2:

9.     Character 3:

10.  Character 4

11.  Theme Statement (1 sentence)

12. Summary (30 words or less)

13.  Author Online (3-5 sentences)

14.  Story Background section (ref. Textbook for examples)

15.  Reflection Paragraph 

Draft Dues dates:

Draft #1 is due 5/2 & 3        = 20 pts
Draft #2 is due 5/6 &7          = 20 pts
Draft #3 is due 5/13 & 14     = 20  pts
Final copy is due 5/17 & 20 = 200 pts

HW Due Wednesday and Thursday

Florida Focus Achieve - sign in with your FCAT Explorer sign-in and password.

 Please remember to complete the first 5 assignments - do not include Strong Vs. Weak Arguments. 

Please identify the skill, provide  support for your best answer only, and indicate your fraction score. See sample below. Note:  This assignment will not be accepted late.

Skill: Author's Purpose

1)   A = Evidence

2)   C=  Evidence

3)   D = Evidence

4)   B = Evidence

5)   C = Evidence

Example  Score:  4/5

Thank you for your diligence. Students who were absent Monday/Tuesday, this assignment will be due Friday.

 

HW Assignment Due April 8/9

Hi Students,

Step 1
Read the information on pages 716-717 in your Literature book - you are building background knowledge

Step 2
Read "Us and Them" - pages 718 thru 724

Step 3
During the reading, complete the chart shown on page 717 and all of the in-margin questions

Step 4
Complete the comprehension questions on page 725.

*Classes 2A and 4A,  you may answer questions 1-3 in your head, and answer questions 4-7 on paper
*Classes 1A, 6B, and 7B answer questions 1-7 on paper.

Note: Each Literary Analysis question asks multiple questions.  Therefore, be sure to answer all of the components in each question. Thanks.  Do a great job!


I will collect assignment on April 8/9.  Do a great job!

Spring Break

Students,

I
 If you did not complete and turn in your Unit 5 Poetry HW assignment (see previous blog entry) prior to Spring Break dismissal, remember the assignment is due the Tuesday/Wednesday we return from the week-long break – April 2/3.

II
Students, if you are completing missing assignments over the Spring Break, remember they are all due Tuesday/Wednesday - April 2/3. Do well.

Enjoy your break and have fun.

Homework assigned the week of 3/18

Your Homework : Unit 5 – Poetry

1) Begin reading pages 576-581

2) Provide a 5-7 sentence summary for each page:  576, 578, and 580

(use the text's examples in your summary if you need to)

3) Complete Close Read questions  for pages 577, 579, 581

4) Then read all on pages 582 & 583

5) Write a 5-7 sentence summary of page 583

6) Complete close read question on page 584

(Willow and Ginkgo)

7) Complete Close read questions on page 598

(The Lesson of the Moth)

..looking forward to reading your work.

Assignment is due Tuesday/Wednesday after we return from Spring Break. You may turn it in sooner.

Students Going on the College Trip - Assignments

Students,
I am excited that you are going on the College trip.  Enjoy, have fun, and absorb the moment.
While you balance the above, don't forget to complete the following assignments.  Their due dates
are FEBRUARY 4/5.

Here are your tasks:

Assignment # 1

Unit 4 - Text Features  and Informational Text

You will Read  pgs 858-870 in the Literature Text Book.

1) Answer all in-margin questions

2) Answer Questions 4-7 on pg 871

3) Write a 5-7 sentence summary of what you have read on pages 858;860;862

Be sure to explain in your summary how the use of Text Features help you comprehend Informational Text.

 

Assignment # 2

 

The essays  below are SAT published essays. They have NOT been edited; they are the original submissions.

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Read and analyze them carefully. Notice Sentence relationship and the author’s use of FRIESS to go 50ft deep. 

 I

Review the score commentary for both the Score 5 and 6. Also, refer to the FCAT Scoring Rubric - see its link under the Links Section.

II

Complete the two-column chart below

·        Identify the different commentary remarks so that you can distinguish the Score 5 and 6

·        Complete the Reflection portion at the bottom of the chart.

 

Chart:

Essay Comparisons
	Score 5	Whereas	Score 6
Cite the Essay Commentary Refer to the bottom portion of each essay. (Your contrasting details may be less or more than 4.)	1. 2. 3. 4.		1. 2. 3. 4
Other Noticings – Refer to the FCAT Writing Rubric.  (Your contrasting details may be less or more than 4.)	1. 2. 3.		1. 2. 3.

Assignment: Are people better at making observations, discoveries, and decisions if they remain neutral and impartial? Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Score of 6

Objectivity by researchers has not, and probably never will be attained. People will always have biases; some will be created by cultural values and others by personal views. The search for objectivity lies in the realm of philosophy along with the search for reality. Even though objectivity can never be reached, people are better at making observations, discoveries, and decisions if they attempt to set aside their biases.

As I have learned in my Theory of Knowledge class, perception and thought are intimately connected. While the same rays of light may enter two different peoples eyes, what they see may be very different. The brain takes the input from the eyes and processes it to form an image. That image is not the only thing the brain produces; it also provides extra information based on generalizations and bias. This unconscious addition of information changes the observation of an object. By attempting to reduce the addition of extraneous information being added to the observation, by being objective, a true observation of an object can be more closely approximated.

Discoveries, especially in the scientific realm can be doubly affected by a lack of objectivity. Since scientific discoveries are based on observation, all of the problems associated with observation apply as well to discoveries. Additional problems occur in the analysis of data collected by a scientific experiment. In a recent experiment in physics class, almost all of the students in my class analyzed the data incorrectly. However, armed with the knowledge that zero percent error is never possible, we were satisfied with the results. Our personal belief in the validity of the method of analyzation we chose, and lack of objectivity, led to our incorrect discovery in the field of energy. A lack of objectivity can clearly be seen to be a problem in my last student council election as well. The most popular person was chosen for president, not the objectively best candidate. Since then, the president has done nothing for our school. If the people involved had attempted to set aside their biases and pursue the goal of objectivity, it is less likely that errors would have been made.

Bias will always be a part of human life. It can, however, be limited in how much we let it affect us. The less we allow bias to influence, the more objective we are, the less likely we are to come to false opinions, discoveries, and bad decisions.

Commentary: Why this essay received a score of 6

This essay effectively and insightfully develops the main idea (Even though objectivity can never be reached, people are better at making observations, discoveries, and decisions if they attempt to set aside their biases) with clearly appropriate reasons and examples, demonstrating outstanding critical thinking. Well organized and focused, the essay shows clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas (While the same rays of light may enter two different peoples eyes, what they see may be very different. ... This unconscious addition of information changes the observation of an object). It also consistently displays skillful use of language and meaningful variety in sentence structure (Objectivity by researchers has not, and probably never will be attained. People will always have biases; some will be created by cultural values and others by personal views. The search for objectivity lies in the realm of philosophy ... ). This outstanding essay exhibits clear and consistent mastery and earns a score of 6.

 

Score of 5

Objectivity may be an excellant guiding focus when one is writing journalistically, or when one cares for simple knowledge in general. Yet I believe that it is only when you truly throw your heart into something and are able to see things from a larger perspective than what your head can teach you are you really able to live.

 Objectivity teaches you not to care, not to get involved, and thus enables you to make more discoveries and gain more knowledge. Yet if you cannot see things from points of view other than the academic, what is the point? The film "The Medicine Man," for example. The characters are torn between using the last amount of a cure for cancer on a sick child or analyizing it to learn how to make more. For the good of the world, they should have chosen the latter. They chose instead to save the child and this choice from a scientific standpoint may have been incredibly wrong. But from a moralistic view, it couldn't have been more right. When you decide not to take aside, not to take a stand; you lose your identity as a person and become a stainless steel labratory—cold and empty.

If you throw your heart into something, and believe in it with all you have in you, you may find something you didn't know you were looking for. In the San Juan Islands, there is a place I care deeply about and have for the past ten years. It was the most beautiful piece of property I'd ever seen, grzed & wooded and placed neatly on the edge of a mountain lake. But others didn't see it the same way and made plans to turn my forest into a casino. However, I gathered friends who felt the same and we stayed in the woods for over a week, protesting. The land was saved. I afterwards discovered that there was an old man who lived there, who would not have budged if it killed him. Had I been a mere objective observer, I would have allowed the destruction of a beautiful forest & a peaceful old man. I have a heart, though, and I can take aside. I can protect those things that mean so much.

So tell me, what is the use of objectivity if it turns you into a lifeless robot? There is so much more than that, so have a heart & take it!

Commentary: Why this essay received a score of 5

This focused essay demonstrates strong critical thinking in developing its point of view (When you decide not to take aside, not to take a stand; you lose your identity as a person and become a stainless steel labratory—cold and empty). The essay uses reasoning and appropriate examples from the film The Medicine Man and from the writer's own experience to support the idea that one needs "a larger perspective than what your head can teach you." The essay demonstrates coherence and progression of ideas through its series of distinctions: head vs. heart, science vs. morality, objectivity vs. taking sides, destruction vs. life. The essay also uses language effectively (So tell me, what is the use of objectivity if it turns you into a lifeless robot? There is so much more than that, so have a heart & take it!). To achieve a higher score, the essay needs to insightfully explain the limitations of objectivity rather than just announce them. This essay demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery and receives a score of 5.

Third Quarter Important Due Dates

Students, here is a preview of important dates for the 3^rd quarter.  You will receive a hard copy next week and attain a parent signature as well.

I

Journal Entries

Journal Entries will reflect

January 28-31

February 4-7

Journal Entries Due Date is March 14/15

Your Journal Entries’ Daily Focus for this quarter:

• Monday: Rewrite a figurative phrase or an important statement. Then discus "What is the author” revealing.
• Tuesday: Discuss key words or phrases that reveal the Tone of the section you have summarized.
• Wednesday: Discuss Relevant Details and explain their importance to the text you summarized.
• Thursday: Identify and discuss how transitional signals are used.  Then explain “What is the author revealing.”

 Rubric for Journal Entries: 5-7 sentences for each summary; 3-5 sentences for each FOCUS points. To attain maximum points for each entry you MUST follow this format.

You will receive a Model sample next week.
Student Signature _______________________

II

Books Read

You are required to read 1 book this quarter.

Book Read and Book Form Due Date is March 14/15. 

You will receive a Model sample next week.

Student Signature _______________________

III

FCAT Explorer

Note, if you have not completed your Winter FCAT Explorer assignments, please do so by 1/29/30.  Our next series of stories to complete begins February 4^th. 

Don’t forget you must complete the “Support Your Thinking” sheet. 

*THERE WILL BE NO ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENT FOR HALF CREDIT OFFERED.  PLEASE COMPLETE AS INSTRUCTED OR ELSE YOU WILL RECIVE 0/60.

FCAT Explorer stories along with the “Support Your Thinking “sheet for the Spring is due March 4/5