Holes Combination Final Project- 50 points total

Holes Combination Final Project- 50 points total

**DUE MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011**

Holes Family Tree Project - (20 points)

Stanley Yelnat’s family history goes all the way back to his great-great grandfather, Elya Yelnats.  Each person has a history that is worthy to document and write down.  In this project, you will begin research on your own family history.  How far back can you research your ancestors?  You may choose your mother, father or guardian’s family.

Each family member should have a name and location.  Any other details you would like to add are optional such as what type of job they did for a living.  You should also research family trees and display your information on a chart on a piece of paper no larger than half a poster board.  10 points for family tree display and 10 points for research information sheet.  This research sheet should include all the information you collected on your family and be organized neatly.

Character Playing Cards- (20 points)

Create player cards for 10 main characters in the novel, Holes.  Should include a hand drawn picture, full name, and paragraph summarizing their role in the novel.  The cards should be similar in style to a Pokemon card on white copy paper.  BE CREATIVE AND NEAT!

  Character list-

·         Stanley

·         Zero

·         Xray

·         Warden

·         Mr. Sir

·         Mr. Pendanski

·         Kate Barlow

·         Sam the Onion Man

·         Trout Walker

·         Madame Zeroni

*****Choose one of the following activities- 10 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS******

Create a clay model of your own lizard.  Be creative and decorate your lizard with its own special spots and design.  Below is the recipe for homemade model clay or you can buy your own at a local craft store.

4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup salt

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Knead dough for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth. Roll out dough to 3/4" thickness. Cut with decorative cookie cutters for ornaments or leave in a ball and use small bits to create figures, people, animals or whatever shape you desire. For ornaments, cut a hole on the top before baking. Bake at 250 degrees on cookie sheet for 2 hours or until hard. When cool, paint and then spray with clear varnish to preserve.

5th grade knows about TEAMWORK!

Our school has been motivating student involvement with homeroom prizes.  I love both my 5th grade classes, however I am only 5A's homeroom teacher and help them with contests.  Our school recently raised over 3,000 canned foods for local needy families.  5A students participated and encouraged eachother to help.  They were able to collect 400 canned items and place 3rd in the entire school!  The prize is an ice cream party, which we will have the Tuesday after we get back from Thanksgiving break.

During Anti-bullying week, the school also started a homeroom door decorating contest.  5A students worked hard together and were able to win FIRST PLACE in the entire school!  The prize this time is a doughnut party.  5B students deserve credit for their fantastic door as well.  Dedicated students stayed after school working together and came up with a great design.

Both classes did great and I am so proud to teach 5th grade!

"He who passively accepts evein is as much involved in it as he who helps perpetrate it"- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  (This is the quote we chose for the door)

Literature Circles!!

I am excited to annouce that I will be utilizing my classroom blog much more this 6 weeks!

This week, both 5th grade classes will be assigned to literature circle groups.  It is important that each member of the group work together as a team.  I have tried to create groups with mixed up students that will force each person to learn to work with others.  It is up to YOU to choose to engage with the group each week.  I will be giving participation credit each time we meet in literature cirles.  Students choosing to not engage and discuss with teammates will be given a zero. 

Please remember to drop everything at the door!  All hard feelings should not be carried over into my classroom.  We are a family, and I want to see you all respecting each other. 

TASK FORCE-  Each 5th grade class will have a reading task force.  These three students will work with me on helping the rest of the class with assignments in literature circles.  These students are taking on the responsibility to read ahead and handle a heavier workload, so please respect them and appreciate their help. 

This 6 weeks we are reading Holes by Louis Sachar.  I truly love this book and look forward to many great discussions and projects with you all.