Grade 7 - LITERACY CHOICE ACTIVITIES

Essential Question : How can I expand my attention to detail?

Learning Intention: I know I’m on track with my literacy learning when I can recognize that descriptive language should be specific, use different senses, make analogies, and focus on originality.

Make Up a New Word

Create a brand-new word that describes a specific sensation that has no other word or phrase to describe it. Think about the sensation in terms of its effect on your body or the emotions that it produces. For example, “memvapour“ could be a word to describe the feeling when you can’t remember someone’s name, or “scorchfoot“ could be a word to describe the sensation of bare feet on hot pavement.

Create four new words complete with a visual representation, the definition, and one sentence that uses the word.

Mixing up Metaphors

A metaphor is a figure of speech that combines two things to shape complex ideas so they make sense, or to make boring things more interesting. It takes the emotions and feelings of a familiar item or feeling and applies it to another thing directly.

For example, we say ‘cold feet’ to describe when someone is apprehensive because having cold feet usually makes us uncomfortable. You may call someone a ‘couch potato’ because they are sitting in one spot with no movement of reaction. A metaphor is not literally true, but it helps bring a fresh perspective to your language.

However, metaphors and other figures of speech can be overused - like ‘couch potato’ and ‘cold feet’. We should try and create metaphors that are original and creative, to make them memorable and unexpected. Make a list of ten overused metaphors that you have come across in books, articles, television, or other sources. Replace the last word with something original that still has a creative impact. For example, ‘the class clown’ could be ‘the class whoopie cushion”.

Senses and Similes

Like a metaphor, a simile is a figure of speech that compares two things to make the description more vivid and interesting. A simile is not as direct as a metaphor, and always uses ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare the two things - for example, ‘blind as a bat’ or ‘crazy like a fox’.

Just like metaphors, similes can be overused (like the examples above). To generate some original comparisons, pick a single object from your home that you can compare to other things. Use your five senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch to generate some creative comparisons for your object.

_____________ tastes like _____________

_____________ feels like _____________

_____________ sounds like _____________

_____________ looks like _____________

_____________ smells like _____________

Once you have played with generating these comparisons, pick five objects and write a simile or metaphor based on the qualities of these objects. Use your senses if you get stuck.

Eliminate Vague

We are exposed to a lot of information in our daily lives. We know that creative and descriptive language makes an impression and is more likely to engage with an audience. Vague language is unclear and lacks focus, and doesn’t connect with an audience. If we say a meal was ‘good’ that doesn’t provide a great deal of description and is too general. Simply saying the meal was ‘very good’ doesn’t help, either.

So, let’s think of words that we use everyday that are considered vague and often overused in the language we read or hear. Look at the following words and come up with five alternatives that provide a more accurate description - so, with the word ‘good’, I could substitute it with ‘magnificent’ or ‘acceptable’ to be more specific.

good, bad, small, big, pretty, nice, sad, happy, mean

After you have come up with five alternative words, consider a simile or metaphor that you could use to provide even more descriptive detail for each vague word.

Personal Connections

Choose an event or item that represents something important to you and your culture. The ability to creatively engage an audience through language is a powerful tool to strengthen and promote your culture and its significance.

Think about this item or event and what it represents. Map out the key details and emotions that are personally tied to this single focus. From this outline, create a piece of writing that uses descriptive and creative language to engage your audience. Focus on the use of figurative language and eliminating vague or overused words or phrases.

Your writing can come in the form of a poem or memoire, but make sure it is something that you don’t mind sharing with someone to get their feedback.

Reflect on the essential question:

When you are reading, listening, or viewing, how does the author make quality observations? Are there places you could rewrite some of the observations to make them more engaging and descriptive?

Grade 8 - LITERACY CHOICE ACTIVITIES

Essential Question : What does it mean to be a strong leader?

Leadership can have different meanings for people depending on their values and their beliefs. For some, leadership is connected to power and influence, however, qualities of a strong leader depend on the needs of the situation or community. Within indigenous communities, leaders are often identified by community members rather than the individual seizing a leadership role for themselves. Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous populations believe deeply in the interconnectedness of the world around us, therefore relationship building skills are a critical part of becoming a respected leader.

Learning Intentions: I can use my literacy skills to explore the concept of leadership and its impact on me, others and the world. I know I "got it" when I express my opinions, ideas and connections using listening, speaking, writing and other ways of representing.

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

1. Reflect on the word “leadership”, what it means to you and what makes a strong leader. Think about leaders you know or have heard of. Brainstorm words that come to mind and make a list (examples: decisive, good listener, community-centred).

2. When you have all your words written, sort words into categories and give each category a title such as actions, personality traits, or beliefs.

3. Now, write a paragraph that clearly explains what leadership means to you.

BEING A LEADER AT HOME

1. Draw a table that has two columns and title them: “What I Did/Said” and “How it Demonstrated Leadership”

2. In the first column, make a list of things you have done or said that might be considered positive leadership.

3. For each item you write in the first column, explain in the second column how you were a leader/how you impacted a situation.

THE STORY OF LEADERSHIP

1. Think about a specific example when somebody was a leader (you, a friend, someone famous, a community member, a fictional character). Tell the story surrounding that event. Remember that stories usually:

- Are told in chronological order with a beginning, middle and end;

- Use transition words like: First, one day, then, next, before, after, finally, last, etc.

2. Use your creativity when telling the story. Some options include: write the story, create a comic strip, write a song about it, act it out, tell the story to someone, write a play, illustrate the event with graffiti words and pictures.

THIS OR THAT : LEADERSHIP IN REAL LIFE OR LEADERSHIP IN FICTION

1. Think of two leaders: one from real life (this can be a real person you know or have heard of) and one from fiction.

2. Either in writing or by having a conversation with someone, answer the following questions about both leaders:

a) What are some things they have done/said that make them a positive leader?

b) What are their strengths and weaknesses?

c) Do you admire them as a leader? Explain your answer.

3. Using your answers, reflect on which leader you would choose to award as best leader. Explain your criteria and answer.

OPINIONS ON LEADERSHIP

Create a survey or list of discussion questions you could ask others about leadership. (ex: Who do you admire as a leader or not and why? What is the best trait in a leader? Who is a better leader ____ or _____ ? - Why?)

1. Ask your questions to four or five people and make note of their answers.

2. Use your survey results to write a summary that outlines what the majority of people believed as well as two major differences of opinion.

FINDING LEADERSHIP

Create a blackout poem based on the theme of leadership. Blackout poetry uses words and phrases that already exist on a page to create a new piece.

To do this, you will:

1. Use a page of text (this flyer, a newspaper, an old magazine, etc) and scan the page looking for words or phrases that may connect to the theme of leadership and circle lightly in pencil.

3. Review your circled words and decide if you want to eliminate or add others.

4. Continue to read the circled words (your poem) aloud to yourself. Once you are happy with the poem, blackout all the other words on the page. You can also sketch designs or images around the words!

Grade 9 - LITERACY CHOICE ACTIVITIES

Essential Question: What is courage and where do we see it in the world around us?

Courage can have different meanings for people depending on their values and their beliefs. There are many forms of courage that can be found in our communities everyday. For example, based on the seven sacred teachings, for many Indigenous cultures across North America courage is symbolized by the bear. This symbol can mean that you listen to your heart to guide you in doing what is right. Many believe the Bear calls them to awaken their potential and to stand up for what they believe in or protect those who need support. Having courage can mean being brave to face life’s problems, big or small.

Learning Intentions: I can use my literacy skills to explore the meaning of courage to me, others and the world. I know I "got it" when I express my opinions, ideas and connections using listening, speaking, writing and other ways of representing.

COURAGEOUS MOMENTS

What does courage mean to you? Complete the following:.

1. List 3 synonyms for courage (words that mean the same).

2. List 3 antonyms for courage (words that mean the opposite).

3. List several fictional characters who display courage. Choose one character and explain your choice. OR

List several real people who display courage. This could be someone you know personally or someone you’ve heard of. Choose one person and explain your choice.

4. Describe a time in your life that you displayed courage. OR

Describe a time that you wish you had more courage and what you could have done differently.

5. Write a few sentences explaining what courage means to you.

PEP TALK

A pep talk is designed to make someone feel more courageous and confident.

1. Write a one minute pep talk encouraging someone to achieve a goal. Examples: a friend trying out for a team, a fictional character overcoming a difficult situation or someone close to you trying something new.

2. Share your pep talk with someone.

AGREE OR DISAGREE?

Read the following statements and respond by stating whether you agree or disagree. Provide evidence to support your opinion.

1. Everyone is capable of displaying courage.

2. Courage means making the right choice even when it is a difficult choice to make.

3. Courage is only displayed by extraordinary people.

4. Courage is something you are born with.

CUP OF COURAGE

1. Create your own sketch of a cup or use the one below.

2. Use words, quotes, illustrations, symbols, etc. that represent courage to fill the “cup of courage”.

3. When you have the cup full, share a few examples with someone at home.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Read the scenario below and respond to the questions.

Carl asks Rick to join him and the others to hang out after their team practice. Rick quickly agrees, but his excitement doesn’t last long when someone from the team begins criticizing his skills. Carl feels stuck in the middle. He is uncomfortable to see his teammates putting down another player.

1. What are different ways you could react to the situation?

2. If you ‘listened to your heart’, what would you do in this situation? What might get in the way of that?

3. How might your actions take courage?

4. What do you think you would do in a situation like this?

COURAGEOUS ADVICE

“One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest”. - Maya Angelou

1. What do you think Maya Angelou means in this quote when she says “one is born with potential”?

2. Do you think it takes courage to be kind, merciful, generous, or honest? Explain your answer.

3. Create a piece of advice based on this quote to share with others.

CREATE A POEM

Create a poem based on the theme of courage. You may want to try writing a found poem. Found poetry is created by taking words and phrases from different sources and using them to create a poem. One way to do this is:

1. Look through flyers (you can use this one), newspapers, and magazines, and cut out words, phrases, and letters.

2. Arrange the words and phrases to create a poem.

COURAGEOUS WRITING

Books and history are filled with stories of people finding courage.

1. Write a real or imagined story involving the theme of courage.

2. It can be a short story, children’s book, comic strip, or you can tell your story through poetry.

3. You may want to begin by brainstorming your ideas with a story map.

CANADIAN COURAGE

April 12th, 2020 marked the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope. Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete and activist. When he was 18 he was diagnosed with cancer and as a result had his leg amputated. To raise awareness and money for cancer, Terry started his Marathon of Hope in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and ran 5373 km over 143 days. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete his Marathon of Hope as he was too sick to continue. Terry Fox is remembered across Canada each year with community and school runs to continue his legacy.

1. Write a paragraph explaining how Terry is an example of courage.

2. Read the quote below and respond to the questions in a paragraph: What does the quote mean to you? How is this quote relevant today?

“Being self-centred is not the way to live. The answer is to try and help others.” - Terry Fox