LITERATURE BOOK 5

The book for this last bimester is:

LITERATURE PROJECT 4: MAGAZINE

Objectives:

Students will:

• ·         get familiar with the magazine format.
• ·         use what they have learned from the text to select their content.
• ·         collaborate with their classmates.
• ·         use their creativity to write a bizarre article about people and situations.
• ·         structure their work.
• ·         orally present their work.

Product:

Ss will present a finished magazine based on a story chosen from the book: Bizarre Tales (which was read in class).

                 

The magazine must include:

1. A cover with the name of the magazine, participants and date.
2. A letter from the writers (considering this will be the first issue).
3. Three different articles about popular culture, fashion or current affairs. (Students can  choose from any of these three topics.) 
4. Illustrations about the articles with captions.

Note: Articles must be bizarre.

Stages:

April 7:

1. Teams will have their information meeting where work will be distributed.
2. Teams will brainstorm topics and contents.
3. Students will write their articles.
4. Teams will proofread their articles for grammar and spelling mistakes.

April 10:

1. Teams will design the cover of the magazine.
2. Teams will choose illustrations for their magazine.
3. Teams will put their material together.
4. Team’s information will be written at the back of the project.

April 11:

Presentation of projects.

Remember that your active participation in every stage of the project will be graded.

Please print and paste the following checklist in your notebook, you will use it during the elaboration of your script:

	Yes	No	In Progress
Our information meeting (work is distributed)
Content and illustrations brainstorming
Articles have been written (using satire)
Has been proofread for grammar (especially tenses)
Has been proofread for spelling mistakes
The cover has been designed
Illustrations have been chosen
Was made in collaboration with all team members
Al the material has been put together
Includes the team's basics on the back of the page (group, list number, full name)

Evaluation:

The following rubric will be used for evaluation.

	Magazine Rubric
CATEGORY	1	.5	0
Layout Headlines & Captions	All articles have headlines that capture the reader\'s attention and accurately describe the content. All articles have a byline. All graphics have captions that adequately describe the people and action in the graphic.	Most articles have headlines that accurately describe the content. All articles have a byline. Most graphics have captions.	Articles are missing bylines OR many articles do not have adequate headlines OR many graphics do not have captions.
Layout Articles	Columns are neatly typed in the \"justified"\ type style. There are adequate and consistent \"gutters"\ between all columns and articles. A glance at the magazine makes you think \"professional".\	Columns are typed. There are adequate \"gutters\" between most columns and articles. It is easy to read, but looks somewhat nonprofessional.	Columns are not neatly typed and/or \"gutters\" are not adequate, so magazine is somewhat difficult to read.
Contributions of Group Members	Each person in the group has contributed at least with and article or a graphic without prompting from teachers or peers.	Each person in the group has contributed some minimal assistance from peers.	One or more students in the group required quite a lot of assistance from peers before contributing one article.
Spelling and Proofreading	No spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the magazine.	No more than 3 spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the magazine.	Several spelling or grammar errors remain in the final copy of the magazine.
Articles Purpose	90-100% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.	75-84% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.	Less than 75% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.
Articles Supporting Details	The details in the articles are clear, effective, and vivid 80-100% of the time.	The details in the articles are clear and pertinent 75-89% of the time.	The details in more than 25% of the articles are neither clear nor pertinent.
Articles Interest	The articles contain facts, figures, and/or word choices that make the articles exceptionally interesting to readers.	The article contains some facts or figures but is marginally interesting to read.	The article does not contain facts or figures that might make it interesting to read.
Requirements	All of the required content was present.	At least 75% of the required content was present.	Less than 75% of the required content was present.
Creativity	Superior creative skill, exceptional level of innovation and originality.	Most articles have headlines that accurately describe the content. All articles have a byline. Most graphics have captions.	Articles are missing bylines OR many articles do not have adequate headlines OR many graphics do not have captions.
Presentation	Shows full understanding of the project, has good pace, shows enthusiasm and speaks clearly.	Shows some understanding of the project, sometimes loses pace, shows some enthusiasm and speaks clearly.	Shows no understanding, has no pace, shows no enthusiasm and doesn’t speak clearly.

LITERATURE BOOK 4: BIZARRE TALES

Dear students, the book you will read this bimester is: 

WRITING 7: REVIEW

Definition:

A review is a critical assessment of a book, film, play, concert, etc.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

Things you liked:
excellent

perfect

wonderful

fabulous

Thing you didn’t like:poor

dreadful

awful

uninteresting

Comparing and contrasting:

… much better than…

… not nearly as good as…

It was disappointing compared to…

It was surprisingly good…

Although…

Despite…

  

Recommending:

Overall, I think…

I would certainly recommend

I don’t  think I would recommend…

All in all…

I would strongly advise…

Go and visit / see / buy…

TIPS

• Use a title as a review is a kind of article.
• Make sure you mention the title of what you have seen or read.
• Don’t write too much description.
• Show that you can use a range of structures and vocabulary.
• Give a clear recommendation.

PLAN

Paragraph 1

1. Give some basic information about what you are reviewing.

Paragraph 2

1. Give the reader a brief description.

Paragraph 3

1. Tell the reader what was good and bad.
2. Give reasons for your point of view.

Paragraph 4

1. Include a recommendation, even if it’s negative.

EXAMPLE

The Blue Palace

 Do you like the British food? Well, the Blue Palace is a new restaurant that has just opened in the centre of town.  It is a fairly small restaurant and serves traditional British food.

The restaurant was very busy when I was there and is decorated in dark blue with simple wooden tables and chairs.  It has a limited menu of starters, then four meat courses and puddings.  My meal cost $27 with my drinks.

I was expecting to enjoy the evening as the atmosphere is really nice and relaxing and the staff are all very helpful.  The meat dishes were surprisingly good because they were well-cooked with delicious sauces.

However, overall, it was disappointing compared to other restaurants in the area.  The starters were very boring and too cold and the puddings had too much sugar in them.  Also the service was very slow.

I don’t think I would recommend the Blue Palace as I think you can get better value for your money in other similar restaurants, which also offer more choice.

WRITING 6: FORMAL LETTER

FORMAL LETTER

Definition:

A formal letter is used to address a person or organization with whom you are not familiar.  Because of this fact, it is really challenging to write it:  the quality of your content, including spelling and grammar will probably be strongly scrutinized.

Some reasons to write a formal letter are the following:

• Make a complaint
• Request something or give information
• Suggest something

USEFUL FORMAL LANGUAGE

To complain:
I am writing in order to complain about…

I was unsatisfied with…

In the first place…

I suggest that you…

My main criticism is…

I’m afraid to say…

To request and give information:
I am writing to inquire…

I would like to know…

Do you think you could tell me…

Would you mind telling me…

The first thing I would like to inform you is…

To suggest:

I am writing to suggest…

I would like to suggest…

A further possibility is…

TIPS

• Underline key information.
• Make a plan – make sure you include all the points in the notes.
• Think about who you are writing to and decide how formal your letter should be.
• Use your own words; avoid using the same words as those in the question.
• Make sure you use a variety of language.

PLAN

1. Use neutral or formal language.  Be polite.
2. Answer or ask all the questions in the original letter.
3. Use set phrases to sound natural.

Paragraph 1

1. Give your reason for writing.

Paragraph 2

1. Ask for or give information.

Paragraph 3

1. Ask any other questions.

Paragraph 4

1. Finish your letter with a set phrase.

EXAMPLE

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to you about a recent visit I made to your Museum on 9^th July.  I was particularly interested to come to the Museum as I am studying Science in school and I know you have some special exhibitions.

The recycling plastics exhibition was very interesting because it showed what happens to plastic after we throw it away and how it is turned into other products.

However, I was very disappointed with the show on travelling in space.  I contained very little information and was boring because it had too many technical details in it and not enough on what it is like to travel in space.

Furthermore, I found the restaurant very expensive.  I think you should have a small shop selling snacks. 

I hope you will consider my points seriously and improve the museum for other visitors.

Yours sincerely,

Peter White

LITERATURE PROJECT 3

Board game related with the story read in class with components and rules of playing

Objectives:

                   Students will

·         recognize and relate specific information of the text to produce a game

·         practice their oral skills in the presentation of their board game

·         use their people skills to organize the work in their teams

·         present a quality production according to the specifications

Procedure:

-      Ss will present a board game adapted from the book read in class as well as game components and a presentation of the game play of their game

The board game must include:

-      an illustrated board to play the game

-      a book of rules design by students to play the game

-      game components like tokens, tiles, pieces and dices

-      all of these must be contained in a box also decorated as if it was a real board game

Students will work on the design of their game and the writing of the rules on the week of January 27^th to 31^st and will continue working in that and in the components of their game on the week of February 4^th to 7^th to present their game on the week of February 10^th

Students will have time to test their game and the rules written by them on February 9^th

Presentations will be on February 10^th

Note: You may check this links for ideas: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kakQvPIKyPY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nYsA6rIjjw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIIO_UtzHSQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du8MLA6lNY0

LITERATURE BOOK 3

Dear students, this time you will read:

WRITING 5: REPORT

Definition:

An report is a written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated…

USEFUL LANGUAGE

Stating the purpose:
The purpose/aim of this report is to

describe/present

In this report I will…

This report gives a description/presentation…

This report is intended to…

Formal linking words:However,…

In addition…

Furthermore…

Moreover…

As a result…

Final suggestions/recommendations:

I would strongly recommend…

My suggestion is…

If these changes are introduced…

I can recommend…

In conclusion…

In my opinion…

TIPS

• Think carefully about how many sections you need. Use the question to help you.
• Check that the register you have used is consistently formal.
• Use a variety of formal structures.
• Check that you have not repeated points.
• Check you have included all the necessary information and points.

PLAN

1. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of any options and make your report interesting.
2. Use passive voice and set phrases to sound more formal.
3. Use headings to make your ideas clearer.

Paragraph 1

1. Say why you are writing the report.

Paragraph 2

1. Describe the first option.
2. Evaluate the option.

Paragraph 3

1. Describe the second option.
2. Evaluate this option.

Paragraph 4

1. Summarise your arguments.
2. Recommend one of the options/ refer to future action.

EXAMPLE

Transport in my town

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to describe the situation with transport in my town.  It describes what kind of transport the town offers, explains the good points of the system and makes suggestions for improvements.

The transport system

In the town there are buses, local trains and taxis.  The buses run in the centre of town and are fairly regular.  Tickets can be purchased on the bus.  The trains run to the surrounding areas during the main part of the day.  Taxis are always available, especially from the main station.

The good points of the system

Transport is reasonably cheap and also there are special weekly tickets which are cheaper.  In addition, the buses and the trains offer a good service, usually every ten minutes and there are maps to help visitors.

Suggestions for improvements

The buses and trains are very old and quite often there is not enough space.  My suggestion is that the companies should invest in larger, more modern buses and extra carriages on the trains to accommodate all the passengers.