Unit length: 3 weeks
Standards:
-Comprehend and
critically evaluate text.
-Develop independence in reading.
-Build a personal reading vocabulary.
-Retell the story and events in a logical order.
-Clarify ideas, express opinions, and ask relevant questions.
Activities:
Required: Read
the book. Keep a reading journal. (35 points)
Level 3: (choose 5
activities) Each activity is worth a total of 5 points.
You can earn
no more than 25 points in this section.
2. Take and pass the AR test for the book.
3. Re-read chapters 6, 7 & 13. Draw the Island.
4 Choose your favorite character and write a one page
explanation of why he/she is your favorite character.
5. Create puppets of the characters in your story and
use them to retell the story to your teacher.
6. Re-read chapters 1& 2. Pretend that you are Phillip's
father; write a letter to Phillip explaining why he must go with his mother
to Virginia
.
7. Create an original song for your book. Perform it
for your teacher.
9. Venn Diagram. Compare a character in this book to
another character from a different book you have read.
10. Write an acrostic poem for one of the main
characters in your book.
Level 2 (choose
any 2 activities) Each activity is worth a maximum of 10 points.
You may earn
no more than 20 points in this section.
1. Write a eulogy for Timothy.
2. Create and color a map identifying the important
places in your book.
3. Phillip asks which is worse to be born blind or to
go blind later. Give your opinion, and support it. 4. Write a one page
description of the ways Phillip changes throughout the book. 5. Make a commercial
to sell your book to your classmates.
Level 1
(Choose 1 activity)
1. Spend a couple of hours in class as a blind person.
Write a 2 page paper about your experiences.
2. Create your own board game, based upon the plot and
central themes of your book.
3. Read Timothy of the Cay and write a one page paper
comparing the two books.
4. Research the formation of coral reefs. Write a one
page paper detailing their formations and functions. On a world map identify 3
large coral reefs.
Rubrics
All writing assignments should follow the writing
process. Your final draft should be the clean copy that is submitted. All
writing assignments should be at least one page in length unless otherwise indicated.
Level 3
activities
Reading journal - Each reading journal should consist
of at least 10
entries (about one for every other chapter) and
complete sentences punctuated correctly. Make sure to include brief summaries,
questions that arise from your reading, predictions, opinions, and any
connections that you make while you are reading. Each entry each entry should
be at least half a page in length.
Foreshadowing- Be prepared to explain to your teacher
the meaning of foreshadowing, find at least 4 examples of it in your book.
Explain how they are good examples of it.
AR Test - A score of 70% or better is passing. You
should be able to answer questions about the book for your teacher.
Illustration- Pay particular attention to the descriptions
of the island. Draw and color it. Include the vegetation, reefs, beaches,
& where the hut was built. Stick figures are not acceptable.
Character- Using 5 strong examples from the book write
a 1 page paper describing this character and why they are your favorite. Use
complete sentences, correct punctuation and spelling. Use strong reasoning to
support your thinking.
Puppets- While retelling the story to your teacher, be
sure to include the important events in the correct order. The student should
be prepared to answer questions about the book from their teacher.
Letter from Phillip's father- Pay attention to Phillip's
father. Express the thoughts and feelings that he seems to be experiencing.
Stick to your topic, don't include trivial or meaningless thoughts. Convince
Phillip that this is a necessary trip. 1 Page in length.
Song- The student will write an original song or rap
about their book. The work needs to express the theme, plot, characters, or the
solution of your story. It must be performed for the teacher.
Vocabulary- The student will create flash cards for 5
new words from their book. Student will learn the definitions and be able to
define them when asked at random by the teacher.
Venn Diagram- The student will complete a Venn diagram
for two characters in the story. They will clearly tell how each character is
alike and different. Verbally share your diagram with your teacher.
Acrostic poem - Use your poem to explore the personality
of your character. Use complete sentences, correct spelling and punctuation.
Level 2
Activities
Timothy's obituary- Write a speech, at least 2 pages
in length, that expresses your thoughts and feelings for Timothy. Include
his talents and skills, events from his life and what will be most remembered
about him by his friends. Share it with your teacher.
Story map- Create and color a map identifying the
following places mentioned in your book. Curacao, Venezuela, Aruba, Miami,
Panama, St. Thomas, The Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie, Jamaica, and The
Caymen Islands. Use different colors to identify the locations. Discuss with
your teacher some of the important events, from your story and where they
occurred.
Blind opinion.- The student will write in 2 pages their
opinion about Phillip's question on going blind. Support your opinions with
strong thinking. Use specific examples, from the book and/or their own life
for support.
Phillip's changes- In 1-2 pages the student will describe
how the character of Phillip changes, how he grows up, during the book. Look
for changes in behavior and attitudes. What causes these changes? Are the
changes for the good or bad?
Commercial- The student will write an outline for and
then perform for the teacher(with help from classmates if needed) a commercial
that will effective interest their classmates in reading this book. The commercial
should relate to the theme, setting, plot, or characters of the story without
giving too much detail away to future readers.
Level 1 Activities
Life as a blind person- In class the student will
spend a couple of hours as a blind person, doing activities and work. Write a 2
page paper about your experience. How would your life change if you actually
went blind? Discuss what you feel the hardest adjustments would be for you.
Create your own board game- Each student will create a
workable
(playable) board game based upon the plot, themes,
characters, settings, and challenges of their book. Each game must include a
set of directions, rules, game pieces, and all the materials needed to play the
game. Play it with 3 friends to make sure that it can be played clearly.
Timothy of the Cay- Read the book Timothy of the Cay.
Write a 2 page compare and contrast paper. Explain to your teacher which you
liked the most and why. Give examples from the books to support your thinking.
Coral reefs- Share with your teacher the ways that
coral reefs are formed and there functions. On a world map identify 3 large
coral reefs.