6th. Grade Language Arts and the

Library

“Guess Who is Coming to Dinner?”

A collaborative project

Voutos

Students

James

The Historical, the Rich and the Famous!

In the classroom, students previewed authors, historical figures, and famous personalities of the contemporary world.

In the library, students self-selected a biography or autobiography using the on-line catalog and previewed the work prior to checking it out.

Completed projects are displayed in the library to encourage independent reading.

TASK

Bio - Lunch Bag

After carefully reading the text, students illustrated their lunch bas with symbols about their person’s

1. Goals

2. Personal Traits

3. Past/Current Achievements

4. Area of Influence

5. Opinion-based Factual Information

Project

Standards

Language Arts in the 6th. GradeThe student is expected to: 110.22.11(A) offer observations, make connections, react, speculate, interpret, and raise questions in response to texts

(4-8); (C) support responses by referring to relevant aspects of text and his/her own experiences (4-8); and (D) connect, compare, and contrast ideas, themes, and issues across text (4-8).

Library and Technology in the 6th. GradeThe student applies instruction received in developing research and evaluation skills [during library lessons] and

is expected to: 126.8.8(B) use electronic tools and research skills to build a knowledge base regarding a topic, task, or assignment. 126.12.4 (A) use strategies to locate and acquire desired information on LANs and WANs, including the Internet,

intranet, and collaborative software; and (B) apply appropriate electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information including keyword and

Boolean search strategies

Robert Frost The Life of America’s Poet

by Sara McIntosh Received the Gold Medal for Poetry in 1936 Read his poem at the Presidential

Inauguration in 1961. Awarded numerous Pulitzer Awards. Recognized as “America’s Poet.

Find this and other books in the Biography Section – Alphabetized by last name and look it up online at http://destiny.nisdtx.org

BFRO

Leonardo da Vinci by

Kathleen Krull Dreamed of being an inventor. Overcame learning difficulties. Was fascinated by human anatomy. Implemented the technique of “sketching out”

before painting.

Find this and other books in the Biography Section – Alphabetized by name and look it up online at

http://destiny.nisdtx.org

BLEO

Christopher ColumbusFamous Explorer

by Mary Dodson Wade His dream was to sail around the world. His father wanted him to be a tailor. His son, Diego, followed in his footsteps. Searching for a new route to Asia, he stumbled

upon what it is now known as the Americas.

Find this and other books in the Biography Section – Alphabetized by last name and look it up online at http://destiny.nisdtx.org

BCOL

Princes Diana A Photographic Story of a Life

by Joanne Mattern Member of an old British family. Had a Royal Wedding. Her work as an Ambassador for the Cure of

Aids is known around the globe. Died tragically.

Find this and other books in the Biography Section – Alphabetized by name and look it up online at http://destiny.nisdtx.org

BDIA

Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsaby Veronica Chambers

Born in Cuba. Began singing in High School. Her father wanted her to become a teacher and he

encourage her to study. Studied in Cuba’s “National Music Conservatory.” Sang with the immortal “Sonora Matancera.” Left a legacy in Salsa for generations to come.

Find this and other books in the Biography Section – Alphabetized by name and look it up online at http://destiny.nisdtx.org

BCRU

Commentary

Princess Diana Your work exhibits originality and

creativity and the rhyming couplets depict happy events in her life.

In the future, don’t be afraid to include tragic events of famous personalities. Her legacy as an advocate for research to cure AIDS is well known and her children are still carrying out her passion.

Ms. Voutos

Commentary

Robert FrostI am glad you selected an excerpt of a poem to illustrate your person. The couplets reflect his great passion for education and nature.

For future work, watch your spelling carefully. This will help you improve the quality of your work and searching for relevant information.

Commentary

Christopher ColumbusYour clues are well crafted and

interesting. Who knew that his father wanted him to be a tailor? The map used for illustration reflects the “known” world in the 15th. Century and it added a creative detail to your lunchbag.

You may like to search for the exact model of his original vessel, “The Santa Maria” on Encyclopedia Britannica online (http://school.eb.com)

Commentary

Leonardo da VinciDa Vinci’s accomplishments are well defined in your artwork. I was impressed by the selection of the “Last Supper” as his “unfinished.” Your use of transposing the letters to depict his “dyslexia” was both interesting and witty. An American counterpart that you may wish to research is Benjamin Franklin.

Commentary

Celia Cruz – Queen of SalsaI was glad to see that you used a “fictional” text based on a biography as your source. The information you obtained was relevant and gives the readers a basic understanding of who Celia Cruz was. For an alternate search, you may want to try, R&B singer, Ella Fitzgerald, from the same time period.

Rubric

Catalog

SearchElement 5 points awarded 10 points awarded 15 points awarded 20 points awarded

Symbolism Symbols illustrating the goal process are missing.

Symbols illustrating the goal process are incomplete: 1 to 3 steps.

Symbols illustrating the goal process are incomplete: 4 or 5 steps

Symbols illustrating the goal process are complete: 6 or more steps.

Explanatory Notes Note cards are missing or do not explain the symbolism with rhyming couple clues.

Some of the note cards explain the symbolism with rhyming couple clues. (1-3)

Most of the note cards explain the symbolism with rhyming couplet clues. (4-5)

All note cards explain the symbolism with rhyming couplet clues. (6)

Main Ideas Neither symbols nor note cards are helpful in identifying the person/character.

Some of the symbols and/or note cards are helpful in identifying the person/character.

(1-3)

Most of the symbols and/or note cards are helpful in identifying the person/character.

(4-5)

All of the symbols and note cards are helpful in identifying the person/character.

(6)

Creativity Bio-lunch bag exhibits no creativity or originality.

Bio-lunch bag exhibits little creativity or originality

Bio-lunch bag exhibits some creativity or originality

Bio-lunch bag is exceedingly creative and original.

Conventions/Graphic Elements

Note cards contain numerous spelling, punctuation, and/or capitalization errors which interfere with comprehension of text.

Note cards contain minor spelling, punctuation, and/or capitalization errors.

Note cards contain several minor spelling, punctuation, and/or capitalization errors.

Note cards contain no spelling, punctuation, and/or capitalization errors.

Evaluate!