A.DeGrano 2014-2015
Stories of the Brave
youth speaks edition
Often times, we come to know one another through the art of storytelling. Storytelling lends itself to a number of different mediums (art, dance, song, writing, etc.), and is deeply rooted in oral and written tradition in our history. Stories tell us about where we came from, who we are, and where we are going. Stories open up boundaries and let others into pieces of our world.
American history contains powerful stories from different eras and cultures. Slaves often told stories through the avenue of song. These songs helped them cope through difficult times and long days. Native Americans told stories through dance and through fables. Both of these mediums solidified their culture and continue to bring together their community in today’s world. American authors have told their stories through history by writing about their struggles, successes, and dreams. Your family also has stories that can be traced back through generations. Family stories do not just have to be traced back through history. I’m willing to bet that you have some great stories with your family that are rather recent that you may pass onto future generations someday.
Individually, each of you will be creating vignettes based on stories from your life. These stories should be able to tell your audience about your hopes, dreams, past experiences, and present adventures. Each story will give insight into who you are and where you are going. We want to learn about you through the art of storytelling!
Essential Questions:
1. How do significant moments impact our relationships with ourselves and others?
2. Why do stories get passed down through families/generations?
3. How are stories perceived based on how they are expressed (word of mouth, written, song, dance, art, etc.)?
Products:
Reading:As a class, we will be reading numerous short stories that will help us better connect to storytelling, vignette writing, and creativity. These will be read out loud and as a whole class. (See below for the short story reading choices).
Week
Title
Genre
ONE
“Tell Tale Heart”
by: Edgar Allan Poe
Short Story; Horror
TWO
“To Serve Man” - Twilight Zone
Short Story; Horror
THREE
“The Landlady”
by: Roald Dahl
Short Story; Fiction
FOUR
Lips Touch Three Times: Goblin Fruit
by Laini Taylor
Short Story; Suspense
FIVE
Lips Touch Three Times: Goblin Fruit
by Laini Taylor
Short Story; Suspense
Writing: Vignettes: A short, graceful, detailed literary sketch. Your task will include:
-1 individual vignette
-The vignette needs to represent a different moment in your life thus far.
-Descriptive language and sensory detail are extremely important.
-Be extremely conscious of word choice/aware of the power of the words you choose.
Creation: Urban legends stem from fantastic stories. In groups, you will be creating urban legend videos about HTMNC to show during a school lunch/community meeting. Remember, these urban legends may stick in 6th grade mini-minds FOREVER! (muahaha…)
Presentation:
In School: In small groups (3-4), you will rehearse ONE of your vignettes in preparation for our first exhibition. This rehearsal should help you move away from reading off your paper and help you memorize your vignette.
Lakeside Read-Aloud: Individually, you will be reading/presenting your vignette in front of 8 students in a camping/lakeside setting. This read-aloud will represent the different settings we will have talked about throughout this project.
Grading:
Graded on the Following:
1. Rough draft of vignettes (2-3)
2. Participation in peer edits
3. Participation in lit circles/reading discussions
4. Presentation of your final vignette (bonfire)
5. Written quality of your final vignette
6. Urban legend video participation
7. PROJECT PORTFOLIO
The Amazing Race!
On Friday, October 3, 2014, you will be participating in HTMNC’s first ever:
8th grade Amazing Race - Lake Dixon
When: Friday, October 3, 2014
Where: Lake Dixon, 1700 La Honda Dr, Escondido, CA 92027
What: The Amazing Race! In groups of 4, you will be participating in the Amazing Race - solving puzzles, working as a team, and completing obstacles around the lake.
Why: Because life in 8th grade can be fun, challenging, and full of adventure. This is our first retreat of the year to help us grow, bond, and learn from one another.
Stories of the Brave
youth speaks edition
Often times, we come to know one another through the art of storytelling. Storytelling lends itself to a number of different mediums (art, dance, song, writing, etc.), and is deeply rooted in oral and written tradition in our history. Stories tell us about where we came from, who we are, and where we are going. Stories open up boundaries and let others into pieces of our world.
American history contains powerful stories from different eras and cultures. Slaves often told stories through the avenue of song. These songs helped them cope through difficult times and long days. Native Americans told stories through dance and through fables. Both of these mediums solidified their culture and continue to bring together their community in today’s world. American authors have told their stories through history by writing about their struggles, successes, and dreams. Your family also has stories that can be traced back through generations. Family stories do not just have to be traced back through history. I’m willing to bet that you have some great stories with your family that are rather recent that you may pass onto future generations someday.
Individually, each of you will be creating vignettes based on stories from your life. These stories should be able to tell your audience about your hopes, dreams, past experiences, and present adventures. Each story will give insight into who you are and where you are going. We want to learn about you through the art of storytelling!
Essential Questions:
1. How do significant moments impact our relationships with ourselves and others?
2. Why do stories get passed down through families/generations?
3. How are stories perceived based on how they are expressed (word of mouth, written, song, dance, art, etc.)?
Products:
Reading:As a class, we will be reading numerous short stories that will help us better connect to storytelling, vignette writing, and creativity. These will be read out loud and as a whole class. (See below for the short story reading choices).
Week
Title
Genre
ONE
“Tell Tale Heart”
by: Edgar Allan Poe
Short Story; Horror
TWO
“To Serve Man” - Twilight Zone
Short Story; Horror
THREE
“The Landlady”
by: Roald Dahl
Short Story; Fiction
FOUR
Lips Touch Three Times: Goblin Fruit
by Laini Taylor
Short Story; Suspense
FIVE
Lips Touch Three Times: Goblin Fruit
by Laini Taylor
Short Story; Suspense
Writing: Vignettes: A short, graceful, detailed literary sketch. Your task will include:
-1 individual vignette
-The vignette needs to represent a different moment in your life thus far.
-Descriptive language and sensory detail are extremely important.
-Be extremely conscious of word choice/aware of the power of the words you choose.
Creation: Urban legends stem from fantastic stories. In groups, you will be creating urban legend videos about HTMNC to show during a school lunch/community meeting. Remember, these urban legends may stick in 6th grade mini-minds FOREVER! (muahaha…)
Presentation:
In School: In small groups (3-4), you will rehearse ONE of your vignettes in preparation for our first exhibition. This rehearsal should help you move away from reading off your paper and help you memorize your vignette.
Lakeside Read-Aloud: Individually, you will be reading/presenting your vignette in front of 8 students in a camping/lakeside setting. This read-aloud will represent the different settings we will have talked about throughout this project.
Grading:
Graded on the Following:
1. Rough draft of vignettes (2-3)
2. Participation in peer edits
3. Participation in lit circles/reading discussions
4. Presentation of your final vignette (bonfire)
5. Written quality of your final vignette
6. Urban legend video participation
7. PROJECT PORTFOLIO
The Amazing Race!
On Friday, October 3, 2014, you will be participating in HTMNC’s first ever:
8th grade Amazing Race - Lake Dixon
When: Friday, October 3, 2014
Where: Lake Dixon, 1700 La Honda Dr, Escondido, CA 92027
What: The Amazing Race! In groups of 4, you will be participating in the Amazing Race - solving puzzles, working as a team, and completing obstacles around the lake.
Why: Because life in 8th grade can be fun, challenging, and full of adventure. This is our first retreat of the year to help us grow, bond, and learn from one another.