For the literature part of the
English class, the 9th grade students read a book titled, Numbers. At first, they were not motivated to read the
book. Therefore, we read four chapters
in class to get them involved in the story.
After this, they started to enjoy the story and become interested in
reading more. They then continued
reading the story on their own with follow up in class. To begin comprehension evaluation, the
students took an exam based on the first four chapters. I felt so excited by their enthusiasm that I
came up with the idea of a book project.
This project consisted of a movie poster, a book cover, a collage,
representing the actions in the book, characters and plot, which included a one
page summary explaining what the pictures represent, and a two page journal
entry as if the students were one of the characters, also a paper bag book
report.
For the paper bag, they had to first
decorate the outside of the bag relating it to the theme of the story, then,
fill it up with six items that represent
important events and characters from the book.
They also had to write a lost chapter, which was another ending, made up
by themselves. Finally, they had to write a half a page long explanation for
the reason each item was in the bag. The most exciting part of the project was
a song writing, where the students developed the ability to write the lyrics
for a song that tells about the book and sing it in class. Some of them were first shy to sing their
song, as they started reading the song they ended up singing it with the help
of their classmates.
Each student as part of a grade
presented all of this in class, a way to reward them for their hard effort and
dedication while reading the book. As
the students happily presented their literature project in class, they were practicing
their pronunciation, reading and grammar skills. The students were so excited that they even
acted out many scenes and presented everything with enthusiasm.
I, myself felt very excited about the
creativity and English capacity of our ninth grade students that I felt the
obligation of spreading their positivity and creativity to the entire school to
motivate their willingness to read more.
Therefore, I decided that decorating the main level of the school with
their movie poster might be a good way to accomplish this. Other students then became interested in
finishing their literature books expecting to do the same project.
Through this work, I noticed the
progress the students have made throughout the year and a half that I have been
working with them, expressing themselves totally in English.
Thierribaldy Pasquet
English Teacher
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