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Ms. Blackburn's Language Arts: Historical Fiction Newspaper Project

Due Dates

PIck topic by:

Read books by:

Do online research in class:

Reseach and notes completed by:

Work day to type in class:

Paper due:

Stamps due:

Presentations due:

Objectives

Reading:

LA 8.1.6c Analyze author’s use of literary devices (e.g., foreshadowing, personification, idiom, oxymoron, hyperbole, flashback, suspense, symbolism, irony, transitional devices)

Writing:

 LA 8.2.2c Analyze models and examples (own and others) of various genres in order to create a similar piece

Listening/Speaking:

LA 8.3.1b Demonstrate and adjust speaking techniques for a variety of purposes and situations

LA 8.3.1c Utilize available media to enhance communication

Multiple Literacies:

LA 8.4.1g Use social networks and information tools to gather and share information (e.g., social bookmarking, online collaborative tools)

Assignment Directions

  1. Pick a historical figure
  2. Do reserach on your topic
  3. Write a short paper about your topic
  4. Create a set of stamps respresenting your historical figure
  5. Present your information

Step One: Picking A Topic

Pick a historical figure - other than an athlete, movie star, singer, or model.

Gifted/High Ability students must pick someone who was influential in another country.

Step Two: Research

  1. Pick out 2-3 nonfiction books about your topic at the school or public library.
  2. Take notes about information and facts you will want to include in your paper.
  3. Find 1-2 online sources that are current and reliable (written in 2004 or later).
  4. Take notes about information and facts you will want to include in your paper and inforgraphic.
  5. Use noodletools.com or sonofcitation.com to make MLA citations for your Works Cited page.

Step Three: Short Paper

  1. Write a five paragraph expository essay about your topic.

  2. Your topic sentence should include your topic and a main idea. Your body paragraphs will include details that support your main idea.

    Ex:  Mother Theresa was influential in many different parts of the world.

    Paper expectations:

    2 pages typed, 12 size font, 1 inch margins on all sides, normal font, double spaced, page numbers on the top right corner with your last name

    Please include a double spaced header in the left upper corner with your name, the date, your class and block,

    Header:

    Lydia Johnson

    June 3, 2014

    Langauge Arts Block 3/4

    Center and underline the title of your paper     Ex:  Mother Theresa: A Saint to the World


    The last page should be a Works Cited page in MLA format with the citations of your books and websites.

Step Four: Set of Stamps

You will need to draw four stamps representing the historical person you chose.

  • These four stamps can be one picture in four different color schemes or four different pictures representing your historical figure.
  • Draw these stamps on white printer paper. Lined and construction paper will not be accepted.
  • Each stamp should be two inches x two inches - so you will need a 4 inch x 4 inch square split into quarters
  • Include the cost of the stamp on the upper right corner of each stamp
  • Include "USA" somewhere on each stamp
  • It is ok to trace a picture you find, but add more details to the stamp so it is not just a copy.
  • You may include words or a phrase
  • Include a wavy boarder to mimic the look of a stamp

You may use any medium to draw the stamps. Colored pencils would probably be the best for tracing or creating details.

You will mount your stamps on a piece of construction paper provided by the teacher. Below the stamps, you will include a short summary of the biography of your person as well as a reason for drawing the images you chose. This will be written neatly on an 4 x 6 index card.

Step Five: Presentation

You will explore and respond to three different sets of stamps

  • You will evaluate the creativity of the pictures
  • You will evaluate the ideas/content
  • You will evaluate for conventions
  • You will fill out a response sheet to give to the author of the poster

Your evaluation and critiques should be constructive and kind in nature.

Websites for the Project

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status, or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (531-299-9822).

Las Escuelas Públicas de Omaha no discriminan basados en la raza, color, origen nacional, religión, sexo, estado civil, orientación sexual, discapacidad , edad, información genética, estado de ciudadanía, o estado económico, en sus programas, actividades y empleo, y provee acceso equitativo a los “Boy Scouts” y a otros grupos juveniles designados. La siguiente persona ha sido designada para atender estas inquietudes referentes a las pólizas de no discriminación: El Superintendente de las Escuelas, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (531-299-9822).