Grade+7+&+8

Grade 7 & 8 Welcome to English 7 and 8. All of your assignments will be posted on this page. Be sure to check this page often. Short Stories Assignment 1:Write a short story that is at least one page long. You must have a title page (story title, your name and picture). They story can be about anything but be sure you follow proper story structure!

DUE FRIDAY!!!!!! Must be printed out on PAPER! Once your story is complete, parse one page of it. You need to write what part of speech each word represents under the word. Assignment 2 ~ Creating Characters and Describing Them Step 1: Create a character on Doll Divine. (dolldivine.com). This is where you work out all the physical aspects of your character.Step 2: Create a personality for your character. This is where you determine if they are smart, funny, creative, passive, etc. Step 3: Write a short story from the viewpoint of your character about something that happened to them. Do not include your picture or character description in the story. You story should be centred around something that happened to your character in school one day. You story should be double spaced and at least a page long! Assignment 3 ~ Reading Short Stories Step 1: Select a short story that you are interested in. (Remember the criteria we discussed!) Step 2: Summarize the story in your own words. Step 3: Diagram the plot. Step 4: Send me your information. Assignment 4 ~ Muhammad Ali v. the U.S. Draft

Step 1: Read the Reader's Theatre "Muhammad Ali v. the U.S. Draft"Step 2: Fill out the Chronology of the story. A Chronology shows important dates from Muhammad Ali's life. Using information from the play, write about all the important events that happened each year. (HINT: 1964, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1981, 1984)Step 3: Select an important event in history. It could be sporting, political, musical, anything! Write the chronology for it.Step 4: Write a Reader's Theatre for that event. **Poetry Unit** **Assignment 1 ~ Exploring Poetry**   In the form of a booklet, PowerPoint, animation, glog or blog.....create yourself a poetry assignment with all the following elements:1) 10 poetry terms. You project should be nicely laid out and include pictures. 2) select one of the poetry terms from the pervious page and write a 10 line poem that explains/uses that term or the definition.3) Define free verse poem and write an original example of one. 4) Define what a sonnet is and give an example of one. Mark the rhyme scheme on the poem. 5) Define carpe diem and give three examples of it. At least one of your examples should be original. 6) Define Haiku. Explain the significance of Haiku poems in Japanese culture. Give one original and two found examples. 7) Define shape poem. Create an original example of one and find an example of one. 8) Define Limerick. Create two original limericks and mark the rhyme scheme. 9) Work cited. You must give credit to all the authors and the websites you visited in your quest to complete your assignment. YOU MUST USE PROPER CITATION!!!!! I don't want to see any URLs pasted on the bottom.   Assignment 2 ~ Maps and Poems    Read the following poems and write your own poem. Maps or travel must be the focus of your poem. Your poem must be at least 15 lines long. Your poem must have a title page to include with it to give your reader a visual of what you are talking about- the title page must incorporate a picture of a map.

//We aren't that different, we discovered, after we laid our maps on the table.// //They fit together, East to West.// //My San Francisco to your New York.// //Your Eastern Standard time parallels my Mountain Standard time.// //Both our suns rise in the west and set in the East.// //We aren't that different, we discovered, after we laid our maps on the table.// //They fit together, North to South.// //My New Orleans to your Toronto.// //Your subways parallel my street cars.// //Both our snow falls from the sky.//
 * Our Maps Aren't All That Different by Anonymous**


 * Comin' Home by City and Colour (Dallas Green)**

Well I've been down to Georgia I've seen the streets in the west. I've driven down the 90, hell I've seen America's best. I've been through the Rockies, I've seen Saskatoon I've driven down the highway 1 just hopin' that I'd see you soon.

I've never been to Alaska, but I can tell you this, I've been to Lincoln, Nebraska and you know it ain't worth it. I've been through Nova Scotia, Sydney to Halifax I'll never take any pictures cause I know I'll just be right back.

I've seen a palace in London, I've seen a castle in Wales but I'd rather wake up beside you and breathe that ol' familiar smell. I never thought you could leave me, I figured I was the one but I understand your sadness so I guess I should just hold my tongue.

I know that we're takin' chances, you told me life was a risk. I just have one last question... will it be my heart or will it be his?


 * this song has been adapted to a poem*

**Film Studies ** A Family Crest is a symbol of a family’s identity and the values that define each of them. The history of the Family Crest goes back to the days of knights as warriors. A knight chose colors that represented his family and often chose symbols to go along with them. Many family names that can be traced back to the British Isles have a Family Crest. What do you think the Family Crest for the Quimby family would contain? The Quimby Family Crest may have a palette of paint to represent the importance of art and creativity. There could also be a picture of a swing-set to represent the value of children in their home. The colors would most likely be bright and sunny, reflecting the personalities of the family. Often a Family Crest was designed and then placed on a surface that would be seen by many. This surface was often a helmet or a shield. You are going to create a Family Crest for the class. • Flags that represent where our class is located (city, province, country)  • Foods that you all like or eat together • Pictures that represent different names (ex. Picture of your favorite activities together or the members of your class) • Drawings or pictures that depict certain celebrations or traditions  • Photos of friends or field trips The purpose of the crest is to document the history of your group. As a group, you must create a crest for the class

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Shakespeare Grade 7: A Midsummer Night's Dream Grade 8: Twelfth Night **Read the play that your grade is assigned and complete the project! You must hand your entire project in AT ONE TIME!** Your Project is worth 100 Points to your grade. How you get those 100 points is going to be up to you. Below you will find different tasks to complete relating to your novel. Each task is assigned a starting point value. If you do the task and do it well you can earn those points. If you do the task, but do not put all your effort into it you may not earn all of the points assigned to that task. The goal is to complete enough tasks to earn 100 points and an A+ grade.


 * 5 Point TASKS **
 * 1) If you could change places with one of the characters in the novel which one would it be? Why would you pick this character? Use specific examples and details from the story and write a short explanation.
 * 2) ** Move the setting of the story by changing the time and the place. Explain how this would change the novel. Give examples from the story. **
 * 3) Write a poem that tells about a piece of the story: the plot, a character, the setting, or the conflict. Write a brief explanation of the poem and what it means to the novel. (you may complete this task 3 times per project)
 * 4) ** Which one of the characters would make a goof friend? Explain why you would pick them as a good friend. Give specific examples from the story. **
 * 5) If you could give any character in the novel a present to help them in the story what would you give them and why? Explain using details from the story how this would help the character.


 * 10 Point TASKS **
 * 1) Write and perform a TV commercial (1 minute long) to sell your novel. Use detail. A written copy must be handed in.
 * 2) ** Write a letter to Shakespeare explaining your thoughts about the play. What you liked, what you did not like and how you connected to the characters in the play. **
 * 3) Create a new character to add to the play. Describe this character and tell what role they would play in the play in full detail giving examples from the play where they would be added or make an impact.
 * 4) ** Create a book mark that illustrates the story. On the back of the book mark pick 5 words that describe the play and write a short reason for each word. Make sure the title and author of the plays are on the bookmark. **
 * 5) Create a collage using magazine pictures and words that describe your play. Fill the space well. Write a brief explanation of your collage.
 * 6) **If you had written the play which part would you have written differently? Explain how you would have written it and how it would have made a difference in the story**.


 * 20 Point TASKS **
 * 1) Redesign the front and back cover of your play. Include all the important information about the story; a story blurb, information about the author, price etc. (look at different book covers for ideas)
 * 2) ** Interview a character. Write the interview questions and the answers the character would give in the interview. You must have at least 15 open ended questions and answers. **
 * 3) Create a travel poster or brochure inviting people to come visit the setting of your novel. Include some quotes from the play that talk about the setting.
 * 4) ** Pick a familiar melody (EX: Mary had a Little Lamb or If your Happy and You Know it) and change the lyrics so they tell about the story. (minimum of two verses if it is a short song) **
 * 5) Write a “Dear Abbey” column for your characters. Write letters from the characters that ask for advice based on the problems they face in the story. Respond back with advice that you would give them to help with the problem. You must have at least 4 letters (two asking for help and 2 longer ones giving advice). You should make connections to your own life and the events in the book.
 * 6) ** Draw a picture of one of the characters in the play that is described well. Using quotes from the play point out different things about the character on your picture. You must have at least 10 quotes for your picture. **


 * 30 Point TASKS **
 * 1) Summarize the plot of the play by creating a cartoon version of the novel. Use at least 8 frames to tell the story of the book. Use color and words.
 * 2) ** Design the front page of a newspaper with headlines and a story about what happened in the story. There must be at least picture on the front page. Look at other newspapers for creative ideas for the layout and story. **
 * 3) Create a visual time line of the events in the story. Use chart paper and draw the time line and add the events using short blurbs and pictures. You must have at least 20 events from the story.
 * 4) ** Is there something mentioned in your book that you would like to know more about? (EX: the main character does a science project on volcanoes) Research that topic and write a report about it. Make sure you include a paragraph explaining why you picked this and how it relates to your novel. Get approval of your topic before your begin. **


 * 40 Point TASKS **
 * 1) Pretend you are a character from the story and write a diary for the character explaining the events of the story as seen from their point of view. Include what happens as well as how they felt during this time. You must have at least 8 diary entries. These entries must be at least 2 paragraphs long.
 * 2) ** Research and write a report about Shakespeare. Include information about his life and plays he has written. Also include a photo of him. **
 * 3) Create a Time Capsule for your novel. The time capsule must have at least 15 objects in it that represent something about the play. Each item must have a short written explanation of why it means something to the novel. You should tell as much about the novel through your Time Capsule as possible. Also include a letter explaining where you would bury the time capsule and why.
 * 4) ** Create a News Show about the novel. Your newscast must be at least 3 minutes long and include information about the play. When you present it to the class you should be dressed appropriately (no jeans or t-shirts). You must also have some type of visual to accompany your newscast. **