THE WRECK OF THE ZEPHYR
submitted by Katherine Richardson, Texas
Info. you need to know-ho ho ho
As we read, The Wreck of the Zephyr you will be doing a variety of activities related to this story. The quality and the quantity of work that you produce during the week will determine the grade that you will receive for this story. To get the best out of this please remember the following:
1. You cannot go to B Level without earning 65 points in C Level. You cannot go to A
Level without finishing B Level. Aim high! Don't settle. Reach for
the A Level. You can do it!!!!
2. Students may use classroom computer with teacher's permission. You may use
your own home computer to do assignments. Using a computer is not mandatory.
This is optional.
3. Special note on all written assignments: Spelling, capitalization, neatness, punctuation,
and grammar count!!! I expect you to edit your work.
4. Each assignment is due on the due date or there will be a serious reduction in points.
5. Plan ahead. Study each activity and tick off the ones you want to accomplish.
6. Use your time wisely. Do not waste any second.
7. When presenting an oral defense, be prepared to verbally tell me the information in a
well organized manner, justify your reasons, and speak clearly.
C - Level -- Maximum 65 points
1. [This assignment is required.] Read The Wreck of the Zephyr or listen to taped reading of
story. If you listen to the taped reading you must be following along in your anthology.
No other class work or talking can be done while you are listening to the tape. The
testing will cover the major points of the story 10pts.
2. This is required-You must listen and participate in the minilessons the teacher
presents in class. 5pts.
3. Make Vocabulary cards and write a definition of each word in your own words.
On a 3 X 5 card or paper write vocabulary words on the front and a simple definition in
your own words on the back. I will pull 5 cards out of your stack and you will get 5
points for each word you know. The definition must be in your own words [not copied
out of the glossary]. 25pts.
4. Find the vocabulary words within the story and write the sentences where they are found.
10pts
5. [Partners] Draw picture clues for each vocabulary word. Then have partners exchange pictures
and match each one with the correct vocabulary card. Use 3 x 5 cards or half a sheet
of paper for the picture cards and for the vocabulary card. Make an appointment to show
your skill to the teacher. 15pts.
6. [Partners] Write context sentences: Have partners write context sentences, leaving a space for
each vocabulary word. Partners exchange papers to fill in the blanks or use vocabulary
cards to show the answer. Example of a context sentence: The _________ ran to catch
the ball, but he failed to catch it. (Boy would be the correct answer.) Make an
appointment to show the teacher your skill.15pts.
7. Read Diego's Sea Adventure. After reading the story, make an appointment with the teacher
to answer 4 questions. You will receive 2 points for each correct answer. 8pts.
8. Read Raising the Wrecks. After reading the story, make an appointment with the teacher to
answer 4 questions. You will receive 2 points for each correct answer. 8pts.
9. Read Creepy Shipwreck Stories. After reading the story, make an appointment with the
teacher to answer 4 questions. You will receive 2 points for each correct answer. 8pts.
10. Read Stormalong. 2pts.
11. On pages 94- 95 in your anthology, there is a painting entitled Dad's Coming by Winslow Homer. Look at the painting very carefully, then answer the questions in the margin on page 95. Answers maybe written or you may do an oral defense. If written, remember to answer in complete sentences and use correct punctuation. 15pts.
12. Plan a Boat Trip - [Partners] Plan a trip on a sailboat. Decide who will go on the trip
and who you will need on the trip. Where will you sail? What will you and your crew
take with you on the trip? Chart out the route on a map (ask Ms.R. for map). 15pts.
13. Boom and sails -The height of a sail on many sailboats is about two and a half times the
length of the boom. Draw sails of different sizes and indicate the height of the sails and
lengths of the booms. Decide on the length of the boom first and then multiply that by
2 ½ to determine the relative height of the sail. Example: Boom is 4 feet. [2 ½ = 5/2]
Make the whole number 4 into a fraction by placing a 1 under it. Trust me that 2 ½ is 5/2.
4/1 X 5/2= (4x5=20; 1x2=2)= 20/2
Multiply numerators to get 20 and multiply denominators to get 2.
Divide denominator into numerator: 20 divided by 2 =10 feet. The sail is 10 feet.
And NO you may not have a boom that is 4 feet, because that is my example! 10pts.
14. List living things with the ability to fly. How is it possible for these animal to fly? 5pts.
15. Draw a Sailing Vessel-Artists, such as Winslow Homer, have often chosen sailboats as
subjects. Look at pictures of sailing vessels from the encyclopedia or books. Then draw
your own picture. It could be a simple sailboat for one person or a mighty sailing vessel
with many sails. Make your drawing accurate. Write a caption that tells the kind of
sailboat it is. 15pts.
B - LEVEL [Pick only one] 15pts.
1. After reading Stormalong, stage a dramatic scene from the story. Think about how you will
make Stormalong look giant-size in the production. You may want to write dialogue and
include sound effects.
2. Sails-Although sailing is now considered a leisure sport in some parts of the world, sailing
ships are still used for shipping and fishing. Find out about the dhow used in Arabia, the
junk used in China, and the lakatoi used in New Guinea. Show special features of each
type of sailing vessel in drawings. Visit www.mhschool.com/reading for information
about these sailing vessels.
3. Circumnavigating the world-In 1965, 16-year old Robin Lee Graham set out to sail around
the world in a 24-foot sloop called The Dove. Five years and 33,000 miles later, Graham
became the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the world. Find out who was the first to
circumnavigate the world, then design a postage stamp in honor of the feat.
4. From a list of animals that can fly, pick one and research how this animal's body structure is
adapted for flight. Make a skeletal drawing of your animal that you have researched.
Don't forget to label parts.
5. [Partners]-Phases of the Moon: Every 28 days the moon goes through a cycle called the phases
of the moon. Research the phases of the moon. Determine what causes these phases and
how people use the phases to mark time. Make a flip book or poster that illustrates the
major phases of the moon.
6. [Partners] Make a Sailboat-A sailboat plays a major part in this story. Make a sailboat. Get a
bar of soap that floats, a pencil, and paper or thin cardboard for the sails. But out a
triangular sail from the paper or cardboard. Fasten the sail to the tip of your pencil firmly
into the middle of the bar. Now float your boat on water and blow the sail. What
happens if you blow from different directions? What happens if you make a sail bigger?
Note your findings.
A-LEVEL [PICK ONLY ONE] 20PTS
1. Write a journal entry-Imagine that you are the boy sailor in the story. You are keeping a
sailor's log of your "flying" adventure. Write a journal entry that tells about your
experience. Include details that describe the setting. Tell how you feel about sailing the
Zephyr.
2. In the story Raising the Wrecks, could some of the theories mentioned in this story be used
to help explain The Wreck of the Zephyr ? Explain.
3. In the story Creepy Shipwreck Stories, do you think the old man from The Wreck of the
Zephyr would have different explanations for what really happened to some of the
"phantom ships"? Explain and use support information from The Wreck of the Zephyr.
5.7a-f;5.8a,c;5.9b,c;
THE WRECK OF THE ZEPHYR
SCORE SHEET
# ______Name ________________________
Activity Possible points. Points
Level C - 65 Points
1. Read The Wreck of the Zephyr 5 _____
2. Minilesson 5 _____
3. Vocabulary cards 15 _____
4. Find the vocabulary words within the story 10 _____
5. Draw picture clues for each vocabulary word 15 _____
6. Write context sentences 15 _____
7. Read Diego's Sea Adventure 8 _____
8. Read Raising the Wrecks. 8 _____
9. Read Creepy Shipwreck Stories 8 _____
10. Read Stormalong. 2 _____
11. Painting- Dad's Coming by Winslow Homer 15 _____
12. Plan a Boat Trip 15 _____
13. Boom and sails 10 _____
14. List living things with the ability to fly. 5 _____
15. Draw a Sailing Vessel 15 _____
Level B - 15 Points [Chose only one]
1. After reading Stormalong, stage a dramatic scene from the story _____
2. Sails _____
3. Circumnavigating the world _____
4. Research animal's body structure _____
5. Phases of the Moon _____
6. Make a Sailboat _____
Level A - 20 Points [Chose only one]
1. Write a journal entry _____
2. Raising the Wrecks theories help explain The Wreck of the Zephyr _____
3. Creepy Shipwreck Stories/ The Wreck of the Zephyr _____