SPRING BREAK EXTRA CREDIT #1

SPRING BREAK EXTRA CREDIT OPTIONS

EXTRA CREDIT OR MAKE UP ACTIVITIES

The first two options are really make up for current events or vocabulary work that was not turned in or work that received a low grade.  If you really look at the other options, however, you will hopefully notice that they are all meant to be kind of fun and creative and give you something to do when you might be bored.   There is always an easier option for less credit, to help you ease into an independent creation of your own.  You should be able to get extra credit but have fun at the same time. 

Please take pride in your work, however. 


All work must be neat, legible and organized or no credit will be given.  


Work that looks sloppy, rushed, is incomplete  or does not meet the expected criteria will also not be considered for extra credit.    STAPLE OR BIND ALL WORK TOGETHER AND INCLUDE A COVER PAGE WITH YOUR NAME, THE DATE, “SPRING BREAK EXTRA CREDIT,” AND A TABLE OF CONTENTS.

READ CURRENT EVENTS NEWS ARTICLES ONLINE OR IN  NEWSPAPERS

Write a one page summary of the article, explaining (a)the who, (b)what, (c)where, (d)why, (e)when and (f)how.  But also include (g) your own thoughts on why this news matters, why it is important and how you feel about it.  Talk to someone else (like a parent or adult family member) about the event and write about what THEY think, then comment on how you feel about the news after speaking with someone else.  For even more credit, include (f) 3-5 questions on the back of the page and a list of vocabulary words (just like in our normal current events).  Questions that you have about the setting, people, events in the story.  Counts for reading, vocabulary AND social studies points.  Must  be equal variety of stories.  For every article on sports or from the life section you must have an article from the World News or National or Politics section.

CREATE FLASH CARDS FROM WORDS YOU FIND IN A NEWSPAPER or in the BOOK YOU ARE READING

Word and icon or illustration on the front side, definition and a sentence on the back, including word type (noun, verb, adjective, etc.)  Can be the sentence you found the word in.  Even more extra credit if you draw the word to “look” like it’s definition.  For instance, drawing the word POPE in red and white and making it look like the actual pope of the Catholic Church with his mitered hat and staff.  Or drawing the word CASTLE in big bold letters that look like bricks and drawing a gate somewhere or adding battlements.  You may create online/Power Point flash cards, as well.  If you know how to, create a jeopardy-style game with words.

WRITE A ONE-TO-TWO-PAGE STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION (optional)

Write an essay about a food you made or something you had to do (a task, a chore, an activity), step by step.  Include details such as why, how, where, when information.  Include thoughts and opinions.  It can be about helping make a Thanksgiving meal item or just one day of making a sandwhich.  It could be of setting up a new game system.  Any process activity.  Include an introduction to grab the reader’s attention and a conclusion that sums up the activity or reminds us of the point or purpose.  Neat, organized writing or typed.  Use pictures and make this something you’d actually send to relatives or family for fun.

WRITE A ONE-TO-TWO-PAGE DESCRIPTION of something

Sit down and describe a dinner.  Paint a picture in words.  Write in prose (full sentences and paragraphs).   Describe in enough detail that an artist could paint or draw a picture.  Describe a gathering or place where you are; the mall during a visit or your backyard.  Whatever you like.  It can be a description of an experience over the break or just an every day thing.  Include details of sights, sounds, scents (smells), touch – the five senses.  Write in neat, legible handwriting or type.  Again, as always, include an introduction to grab the reader’s attention and a clear, obvious ending.

CREATE A SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR BREAK

In movies, there are songs for certain characters and songs for certain parts of a film.  Create a soundtrack of songs that represent you at various times during the break, or the songs that represent what you did over the break.  Just creating a list of the song name and the artist is minimal credit.  Include a paragraph or two explaining what the song represents and why it is so meaningful is worth more.  Using lines from the song or talking about the music style and why it is representative is worth even more points.  Feel free to actually create the CD and a cover, if you are feeling creative enough.  You could even create a video to accompany your list of songs and the paragraphs you've written about why they represent various moments or times or days of your break.

DRAW AND COLOR A MAP OF EUROPE AND/OR THE MIDDLE EAST

Since these are the areas we are covering this year, it never hurts.  However, please make your map neat and legible.  Label as best you can.  Include a title and a key and a compass rose.  Draw, don’t trace.  Color is optional.

CREATE A FAUX (fake) MOVIE POSTER FOR A MOVIE ABOUT YOUR LIFE or CREATE A FAUX MAGAZINE COVER WITH YOU AS THE SUBJECT

Create a title, and blurbs for that one great basketball game or maybe a trip somewhere or just your break in general.  The kind of movie is up to you.  Cut out and create a collage of movie ads from the newspapers for ideas.  Then just substitute words to create your own personal movie.  Include a soundtrack (list of songtitles) that would represent your movie.  ALWAYS LOOK AT REAL MOVIE ADS FOR EXAMPLES AND IDEAS.

LEARN A FUNNY (and appropriate) STORY JOKE

A story joke requires you to tell a story with inflection and varied tones and be able to deliver lines in just the right way.  Learning a Bill Cosby routine is a great start.  Check him out on Youtube, if you are allowed to.  Must perform the story in front of an audience.  Have them sign a note saying they heard you perform the joke.  Abbot and Costello’s “Who’s On First?” skit or Bill Cosby’s Chocolate Cake are great ones to learn. 

MIMIC A RADIO OR TV NEWSCAST and write about events over the break

Write “news stories” about events that happen to you or around you over the break.  Mimic the look and sound of actual news stories.  Write out a script or record your voice or create a podcast or video.