2.2 Reading Projects

Overview

Consider again the question posed at the beginning of this unit:

What has shaped your personal and cultural identity?

For your reading project for this unit, choose ONE of the following choices and click on the related page in this book to get more details:

Choice 1: Artifact Box (Real or Virtual)

Choice 2: Oral Storytelling

Choice 3: Letter

Choice 1: Artifact Box (Real or Virtual)

Create an artifact box that reflects your personal and/or cultural identity.

Create an artifact box (real or virtual using images in a slide show, brochure, or document) that contains at least five objects (at least 1 per person).  Each object must:

• be relevant to your personal or cultural identity
• be representative of something of importance.

Each object must be accompanied by a written explanation (on index cards, a mini-scrapbook, or if on a computer document, a title and caption) clearly explaining why it is an appropriate choice.

Ideas for how to frame text:

This _____ represents _____. It is important because ______. My personal/cultural identity is evident in this choice because _________. There are several reasons it is meaningful: ____, _____, and _____. 

The objects may be packaged in a container and shown/delivered to your teacher or can be a digital presentation (ie. power point, word, prezi, other).

Artifact Box Marking Criteria:

• at least five objects that clearly reflect your personal or cultural identity (5)
• written explanations clearly justify the choice (5)
• presentation is well organized and proofread (5)

Choice 2: Oral Storytelling

Around the globe, storytelling has always been an integral part of every society. For centuries, stories have been shared by elders, families and friends. From ancient times to today, the oral tradition of passing on information through story and song continues. 

Stories are told to help younger generations carry on traditions, to share knowledge about the world, and to learn how to be a positive and contributing member of a community.

Find out about a special story or object from your family or culture that has been passed down. How would you tell this story or tell about this object to your children's children?

Plan your oral story-telling. Start by introducing the story or object. Where is it from? Then, add details. Be sure to include why it has special meaning to you and your family. 

Practice telling the story while working on the following skills:

• An appropriate volume for the audience to hear.

• Clear enunciation.

• Expression.

• Face/body gestures (if video).

• If dialogue is used, characters are believable to listener. Storyteller's natural voice is differentiated from character voices.

Then, ask your home facilitator to help you to record yourself telling this story. Save it as an audio recording (mp3) or video recording (mp4) to submit. 

Oral Storytelling Marking Criteria:

• story clearly reflects your personal or cultural identity (5)
• presentation is well organized and planned, with a clear introduction and progression (5)
• speaking: volume, enunciation, expression, gestures, and believable dialogue (if used)  (5)

Choice 3: Letter

Write a letter or email to a new penpal from across the world describing your personal and cultural identity.

Organization: Your letter or email should include a greeting, 2-3 paragraphs, and a closing.

Content: Responds to one or more topics/ideas from each category:

1. Relationships and cultural contexts:

Conventions: Use proper punctuation and sentence structure.

Friendly Letter Marking Criteria

Organization: Your letter or email should include a greeting, 2-3 paragraphs and a closing. (5)

Ideas: Explain briefly why you are writing, include two specific examples (direct quote or description) from his video. Share something about yourself. (5)

Conventions: Use proper punctuation and sentences, as well as letter format. (5)