Rhetorical Devices: Collaborative Speech Analysis
Weekly Lesson Plans | Assignment Sheet | Student Samples 1 2 3
Before attempting this collaborative assignment, we had already practiced identifying and analyzing rhetorical devices, as well as annotating speeches as a class. Based off of a ticket-out-the-door, students were grouped by speech complexity. Instead of presentations, we had a timed gallery walk and reflected on the experience as a class.
Short Stories: Character Body Biographies
Assignment Sheet and Rubric | Student Samples 1 2 3
The purpose of a body biography is to allow students to demonstrate your understanding of the characters we have read about in class. A body biography is a visual and written portrait that illustrates several aspects of a character’s life. Students analyze their chosen character creatively, relating various pieces of figurative language or symbols to character body parts. In addition to character analysis, this assignment is a formative assessment of students’ understanding of integrating quotes and using MLA parenthetical citations.
Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem: Menu Choice Board
Instructional Materials 1 2 | Assignment Sheet and Rubric | Student Samples
The Menu Choice Board is a project that allows students to demonstrate mastery over informational, argumentative, and narrative writing while exploring themes and characters from a nonfiction text. Students were required to complete one main dish, one side dish, and two desserts. The main dish is an option between two informal essay prompts, while the side dishes were formative assignments that might traditionally take place over the course of 2-3 days in the classroom. The desserts were quick assignments that could be completed in a single class period to demonstrate a basic understanding of the novel’s characters, plot, literary devices, etc.
Fahrenheit 451: Socratic Seminar Scaffolds
Weekly Lesson Plan | Instructional Materials 1 2
This process is one of my favorite scaffolds to use towards whole group discussions. While working our way up to the formal Socratic Seminar, students have the opportunity to engage in three collaborative discussions (fish bowl, jigsaw, then choice) for each part of Fahrenheit 451. The fish bowl and jigsaw discussions allow students to learn how to engage in academic discussion while remaining in a low stakes environment. During fish bowl discussions, students rotate in and out of the active discussion. While students are not a part of the discussion, they participate by taking notes to share with their book clubs and writing comments and questions on the whiteboard. We review Costa’s Levels of Questioning Students often tell me that this is their favorite activity from the school year, as well!
Power and Corruption Research Paper
Unit Calendar | Assignment Sheet | Instructional Materials 1 2 3 | Rubric | Student Samples 1
In this assignment, students are challenged to research a topic or issue related to one of our novel studies from the school year. The project is designed around research, informational writing, and deep reflection. Students explore the historical and modern impact of their topics, and they analyze the further implications of these impacts. While students learn the nuances of formal, academic writing, they are also encouraged to continue developing their unique voices in writing. Both the teacher and student engage in a cycle of instruction, production, and feedback for a successful end result.
*Due to COVID-19, we were unable to create the infographic portion of the project during remote learning.
Tone and “The Lottery”: Comic Strips
Weekly Lesson Plans | Instructional Materials
As one of the first formative assessments of the 8th grade, the tone comic strip asks students to demonstrate their understanding of mood and tone by altering aspects of Shirley Jackson’s haunting short story. The short story is also used as a scaffolding text about utopias/dystopias and related themes for our novel study on The Giver by Lois Lowry.
Create the Change Project: Social Issues
Instructional Materials | Presentation Rubric | Student Samples 1 2
The Create the Change Project provides students with a collaborative opportunity to explore an aspect of society that they would like to address and fix. Through research, informational writing, and reflection, students are challenged to build empathy in their peers by presenting background information, case studies, and solutions for their chosen social issue. Instead of a formal essay, the end product is a multimedia presentation. Students tend to enjoy this assignment since it challenges them to think critically about the community in a creative way.
Ms. Tina Ng 
