English

*English/Language Arts* Grade 6-8
Project Title	Type of Project	Project Information Link Includes NYS Standards	Description of Project
Literary Honors	Internet Activity		The Literary Honors Activity will help provide students with an understanding of what the Newbery Awards and the books that received the awards.
Website Evaluation	PowerPoint	Project Information	Choosing web sites that have good qualities is extremely important. This MS PowerPoint project is a short and concise presentation of information that will engage all participants.
Introduction to the 1960's	Internet Activity	Project Information	This treasure hunt is intended to be an introduction for students to give them a glimpse of the 1960’s.
The Pearl	Internet Activity	Project Information	The treasure hunt will help the students learn about the author of The Pearl and several topics necessary for successful comprehension of the story.
Out of the Dust	Internet Activity	Project Information	English 8 students will focus on learning about the Dust Bowl by viewing text, videos and images from that era.
The Cay	Internet Activity	Project Information	This treasure hunt is intended to be used after reading The Cay by Theodore Taylor. Students will answer questions and create an informational booklet after researching the web sites given. It will be used for enrichment purposes.
The Pearl	Internet Activity	Project Information	The Goal of this treasure hunt is to provide students with pertinent information that relates to the characters and setting of John Steinbeck’s The Pearl. The focus of the hunt is on the history of the colonization of Mexico and the present-day status of La Paz , Mexico (the setting for The Pearl ). This information will enhance students’ understanding of what they encounter while reading the novel. Furthermore, the study of colonization and Mexican culture parallels with the 8^th grade foreign language curriculum. This hunt is designed to introduce students to topics relevant to what they come upon in The Pearl. They should have a basic understanding of proper Internet usage, but the hunt is very easy to navigate and understand. This treasure hunt should be able to be completed within one 40-minute class period.
Sacagawea	Internet Activity	Project Information	Students will be working in groups of four to enhance their appreciation and understanding of the book, Sacagawea, by Joseph Bruchac. Each study group contains a geographer, a historian, a Native American tribal expert and a naturalist. The purpose of the project is an understanding of cultural and geographic elements affecting the Lewis and Clark expedition. A variety of literary genres including memoir, myth and legend, journaling, primary documents, and historical fiction will be studied as well. Students will begin with personal journaling and class discussion about cultural diversity and Native American lifestyle in contrast to attitudes of Anglo explorers.
Introduction to Character Traits	Internet Activity	Project Information	This introduction to character traits is designed to get students thinking about and brainstorming about important traits. Once the activity is completed, students will have a better understanding of character traits and a longer list to draw from. Students need no prior knowledge, other than personal experience and some self-awareness. The time required for this activity is approximately two days; although, it is ongoing in the sense that it is the foundation to a yearlong look at character traits and characterization while reading novels.
West Side Story/ Romeo and Juliet Comparison	PowerPoint	Project Information	This PowerPoint presentation is designed for middle school which shows comparisons between Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and Bernstein’s “West Side Story.” Included are a variety of activities including a word search, game, and an essay question.
Writing Process	PowerPoint	Project Information	This is a Power Point Presentation designed as a good resource for the writing process. It includes a variety of writing steps and a writing activity.
Bibliography & Citation	PowerPoint	Project Information	This is a PowerPoint presentation designed to introduce and reinforce the basics of research paper writing, emphasizing bibliography and citation formats.
Navigating the Net for Authors Online	Internet Activity	Project Information	This lesson involves creating strategies to research a particular author using online resources. Students will be introduced to strategies to construct and conduct Internet searches using Search Engines and Subject Directories to locate relevant information. By focusing on general online sites rather than print or subscription databases, students will develop strategies to successfully navigate through and understand the diverse nature of online sources.
The Negro Baseball League	Internet Activity	Project Information	The students using this activity will be part of the eighth grade social studies program. It will correlate with the eighth grade English unit about expressing feelings of discrimination and baseball through poetry. It will also provide a correlation with Amsterdam’s participation in the Cooperstown Negro Baseball League videoconference.
Powerful Poetry	PowerPoint	Project Information	This is a Power Point Presentation great for getting students involved and excited about writing poetry. Examples of a variety of poetry types and a poet’s advice are included in this project.
Anne Frank's World	Web Quest	Project Information	In this Web quest, you will get a wide view of Anne’s world, both inside and outside of the Secret Annex. By learning more about her family and friends, you will know Anne better. View photographs of the frightening events that were threatening her, and better understand the fear and tension she and the others faced every day. See the actual details of the hiding place, and meet some of the good people who put their own lives at risk to help others.
Reader's Club	PowerPoint	Project Information	The purpose of this assignment is to have the students independently read and evaluate novels of their choice. Students are allowed to choose their own novels in the hope that those students who are hesitant readers will find a genre or author that they enjoy, and those who are avid readers will try a new genre or author, and will continue to challenge themselves by choosing books at a more difficult reading level.
A Raisin in the Sun	PowerPoint	Project Information	This Multimedia project covers topics relevant to the African American culture from 1950 to today and includes the video “A Raisin in the Sun”. The issues of higher education, integration and family structure addressed are still relevant today and confront families of all races.
Colonial Times	PowerPoint	Project Information	This Power Point presentation is an overview of the tremendous historical change and inspiring heroes of the Colonial Period. This presentation has many activities including asking students to create a colonial newspaper documenting some of this fascination history. Students also look at political cartoons, make a graph using Math skills, and read a book.
Monet	PowerPoint	Project Information	This presentation is primarily about the artist, Claude Monet. Included also are the pictures of the gardens created by Monet. A lesson on writing Haikus is also included.
Patriotic Symbols	Collaborative Web Page	Project Information	This project is centered around a web quest focusing on our Nation’s Patriotic Symbols.
The Hatchet	Internet Activity	Project Information	Projects and activities associated with the reading of the book, The Hatchet, by Gary Paulson.
The Great Irish Famine	Internet Activity	Project Information	An Introduction to the potato famine
The Reading Process	PowerPoint	Project Information	Learn or review the reading process. Also, see how this process can help with solving Math problems.
The Interesting World of Whales and Dolphins	Treasure Hunt	Project Information	This Treasure Hunt can be used to expand student’s knowledge of whales and dolphins so they would appreciate the size and complexity of the animals. A preliminary activity before reading the book Stranded, by Ben Mikaelsen.
Haiku	PowerPoint	Project Information	Examples and activities related to writing Haikus.
Discovery Express	PowerPoint	Project Information	Projects involving research and writing focus on the topic of conservation and the environment.
Window Into the Kingdom of the Wolves	Internet Activity	Project Information	This project will be used to further students’ understanding about how wolves live and behave. It is meant to provide students with more substantial background information on the species prior to reading the novel Julie of the Wolves.
Rockin' Research	Internet Activity	Project Information	A guide to help with writing a research paper.
Pandora's Problems	Treasure Hunt	Project Information	This project is a web-based Treasure Hunt dealing with the Greek story of Pandora. The purpose of the project is to provide an alternative activity for students studying the Greek myths.