A webquest

 

Ms. Turle’s Class

Grade 6

Introduction * Task * Evaluation

 

INTRODUCTION

        When Omri's big brother has no birthday present for him, he gives Omri an old wooden medicine cabinet he's found. The cabinet doesn't seem like much of a present to nine-year-old Omri, until he deposits inside it another present he receives for his birthday: a miniature plastic Indian. His mother comes up with a key for the cabinet, and the real magic begins. When Omri turns the key once, the Indian, named Little Bear, comes alive; but turn the key a second time and it's an ordinary plastic Indian again.

Author Lynne Reid Banks effectively blends the common elements of everyday life with utterly believable fantasy. The first book in this best-selling series enchants readers, while at the same time, reminding them of the responsibilities that accompany friendship and love. Omri's heart-wrenching decision to send his Indian back to its own world, bring up issues of separation for both parents and children alike.

TASK

 

While reading this novel you will be required to complete the following assignments and activities…

Written Response

 

Vocabulary Clusters

 

Extension Activities

 

Helpful Links

 

 

 

EVALUATION

Each day you will be required to read the selected section of The Indian in the Cupboard and be prepared for the in class discussion and/or activity. We will read approximately 2 chapters per night. You will also be required to complete all written response questions, 25 vocabulary clusters and 2 extension activities. Grades will be determined as follows.

 

Written Response – total points possible 100 (10 points each)

Vocabulary Clusters – total points possible 50 (2 points each)

Extension Activities – total points possible 100 (50 point each)

 

Your final grade will be calculated out of 250 total possible points.

 

This unit will need to be completed by Monday, February 3^rd, 2003.

 

Grading Rubrics

 

  

Written Response Questions

In your SPIRAL answer each of the following questions using complete sentences and paragraph form.

 

1. Explain Omri's reaction to the birthday present that Patrick gives him. Why do you thinks he responds this way? Explain how his reaction was in part immature but also mature.

 

2. What does Omri discover in the cupboard the morning of his birthday? Why doesn't Omri share his discovery with the rest of his family? What would you have done?

 

 

3. What do you suppose Little Bear's thoughts were as he found himself in a giant's cupboard? Write a paragraph as if you are him.

 

4. Describe Omri's feelings and thoughts when he first saw the Indian crouching in the corner of the cupboard. How would you have felt? What would you have done?

 

5. Why does Omri agree to show the Indian to Patrick?

 

 

6. Why does Omri make Little Bear and Boone have breakfast together?

 

7. Why can't Omri put all his plastic toys in the cupboard? What would happen if he did?

 

 

8. There are several fights and arguments during the story.  Have you ever been in a fight?  Was it physical or verbal?  Describe the conflict. How can you avoid conflict or change the situation to resolve the problem?

 

9. How does Omri show he is more responsible about the little men than Patrick?

 

 

10. Why do the boys decide to leave the cupboard empty at the end of the story? What do you think you would have done?

 

 

  

Vocabulary Clusters

In your SPIRAL you will need to create a total of 25 vocabulary clusters. Each cluster will be worth 2 points. Below is an example of a cluster along with a list of words from the story that will likely be unfamiliar to you.

Synonym: a word having similar meaning

Antonym: a word having opposite meaning

Please use an example from the book for each word and then create your OWN sentence using the word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extension Activities

For this unit you will need to complete TWO of the following activities. Each activity is worth 50 points. You may choose which TWO activities you would like to complete.

 

 

1. Literary Interview.  In pairs, one student pretends to be a character in the story.  The other student plays the role of an interviewer.  As partners, create meaningful questions and appropriate responses that provide insights into the characters' life and personality.  Complete the interview in front of the class.

 

2. Research: The French and Indian War
   American West of 1800's
   Iroquois Nation
   Show your findings in an oral presentation.

 

 

3. Research Native American games.  Write a description of your choice.  Share and teach the class your game choice.

 

4. Create your own magical cupboard and fill it with your choice of objects. On the inside of the cupboard door write a paragraph explaining what you put in your cupboard and why you chose these objects.

 

 

5. Create a power point presentation with a minimum of 10 slides. The presentation should include information and graphics relating to characters, setting, plot and other interesting elements of this story..

 

  

 

Helpful Links

 

 

The Internet Resources

• Iroquois History  http://www.tolatsga.org/iro.html
• Iroquois Nation  http://www.crystalinks.com/iroquois.html
• Iroquois Landscape  http://www.u.arizona.edu/ic/kmartin/School/iroqh.htm
• Haudenosaunee Timeline  http://www.kahonwes.com/time/
• The Bear Clan - Iroquois Nation http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/6603/
• Iroquois  http://emuseum.mnsu.edu/cultural/northamerica/iroquois.html
• The Iroquois Wars  http://members.tripod.com/~RFester/iroq.html
• Arthor Parker on Iroquois Religion  http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/iro/parker/
• Iroquois: How Fire Came to the Six Nations  http://www.the-office.com/bedtime-story/iroquois-fire.htm
• Iroquois Information Links http://tuscaroras.com/pages/irlinks_na.html
• Lynn Reid Banks Teacher Resource File http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/banks.htm

 

 

References

 

Hypertext Webster Dictionary http://smac.ucsd.edu/cgi-bin/http_webster

Get definitions to many words quickly.

 

            Virtual reference library - encyclopedias and handbooks http://nippur.irb.hr/eng/vrl/encyclopedias.html

 

 

Grabbing Web Images http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/beyond/grabweb.html

Follow a friendly step-by-step tutorial on how to grab images from the Web.

 

  

Written Response

Criteria Points

10 – 8 7- 5 4 – 3 2 - 0   Main/Topic Idea Sentence Main/Topic idea sentence is clear, correctly placed, and is restated in the closing sentence. Main/Topic idea sentence is either unclear or incorrectly placed, and is restated in the closing sentence. Main/Topic idea sentence is unclear and incorrectly placed, and is restated in the closing sentence. Main/Topic idea sentence is unclear and incorrectly placed, and is not restated in the closing sentence. ____ Supporting Detail Sentence(s) Paragraph(s) have three or more supporting detail sentences that relate back to the main idea. Paragraph(s) have two supporting detail sentences that relate back to the main idea. Paragraph(s) have one supporting detail sentence that relate back to the main idea. Paragraph(s) have no supporting detail sentences that relate back to the main idea. ____ Elaborating Detail Sentence(s) Each supporting detail sentence has three or more elaborating detail sentences. Each supporting detail sentence has at least two elaborating detail sentences. Each supporting detail sentence has one elaborating detail sentence. Each supporting detail sentence has no elaborating detail sentence. ____ Legibility Legible handwriting, typing, or printing. Marginally legible handwriting, typing, or printing. Writing is not legible in places. Writing is not legible. ____ Mechanics and Grammar Paragraph has no errors in punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. Paragraph has one or two punctuation, capitalization, and spelling errors. Paragraph has three to five punctuation, capitalization, and spelling errors. Paragraph has six or more punctuation, capitalization, and spelling errors. ____         Total----> ____

Vocabulary Clusters

Criteria Points

25 – 24 23 – 22 22 – 18 18 - 0   Assignment Completeness All items attempted 90 % of clusters attempted. At least 50% of the clusters attempted. Less than 50%of all clusters attempted. ____ Accuracy All items are correct. 90 % of clusters are correct. Between 50% and 90%  of clusters are correct. Less than 50% of all clusters are correct. ____ Demonstrated Knowledge Shows complete understanding of the vocabulary words Shows substantial understanding of the vocabulary words Response shows some understanding of the vocabulary words Response shows a complete lack of understanding for the vocabulary words ____ Requirements Goes beyond the requirements of the clusters Meets the requirements of the clusters Does not meet the requirements of the clusters 4 ____ Legibility Legible handwriting, typing, or printing .. Marginally legible handwriting, typing, or printing. Writing is not legible in places. Writing is not legible. ____         Total----> ____

Extension Activity