8th-Utopia Project Update

January 16, 2013
All 8th grade students will receive an updated calendar today or tomorrow, reflecting some minor changes and the absolute, final due date.  Any revision and/or additions to this project must be completed on or before February 15th. 

IMPORTANT: We will NOT be accepting projects until the end of the trimester.

January 14	15 Work Day Typing and Finalize Page #7	16 Work Day Typing and Finalize Page #7	17 Page #7 With illustrations due	18 Introduce Map
January 21 No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)	21 Map Due  at the end of Class	22 Graph/Chart Due at the end  of Class	23 Work Day Drafting of the Introduction Page	24 Introduction Page Due at the End of Class
28 No School (Grade Day)	29 About the Author Page (Draft and Type)	30 Table of Contents (Draft and Type)	31 COVER & ILLUSTRATIONS	February 1st Entire Book DONE!!! Turned in
4 NO MORE CLASS TIME WILL BE GIVEN TO THIS PROJECT	5	6	7	8
11 NO MORE CLASS TIME WILL BE GIVEN TO THIS PROJECT	12	13	14	February 15 FINAL DUE DATE FOR ANY REVISIONS OR ADDITIONS TO YOUR PROJECT

8th- Utopia Project Overview

Utopia Travel Guide

CHALLENGE:  Plan your own Utopia and present it in the form of a travel guide.

BRAINSTORM:  What is important for others to know about your society?

CHARACTERISTIC OPTIONS:

Group 1 (Choose 4):

• Beliefs
• Gender Roles
• Rules/Laws
• Education
• Rights of Individuals
• Type of Government
• Treatment of Various Age Groups
• Family Structure
• Way in which professions are chosen
• Crime Rate and Punishment for Crimes

Group 2 (Choose 2):

• Dining
• Maps
• Sightseeing
• Free Time
• Arts and Entertainment
• Average Climate
• Medical Facilities
• Manner of Dressing
• Creating Families
• Available Transportation
• Parks and Recreation Facilities
• Calendar of Events
• Entertainment
• Celebrations and Rituals

STEP 1: Choose 6 characteristics of your ideal community:

Characteristics from Group 1:

______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

Characteristics from Group 2:

______________________

______________________

Group 3 (Your Choice):  ______________________

 ****At this point, each student met with their teacher and reviewed their topics.******

Initials _______

Step 2:

Students received time in class to brainstorm ideas about each of their characteristics.  They were asked to list 5-6 details about how each characteristic is represented in your society.

Step 3:

           Students began the drafting process, according to the Utopia Calendar.  Each page of the Travel Guide included the following; Introduction with a strong Lead, Body Paragraphs (2 or 3- depending on topic and details), Conclusion.

Step 4:

          During the drafting process, students were able to set up conference times with their teacher to receive individual feedback before finalizing.  In addition, when the student believed that they were ready to finalize (type) their work, they checked in with their teacher.

Step 5:

         Illustration:  Each page should include a high-quality illustration that the student created.  The illustration should be drawn and colored to fit the topic chosen.

Step 6:

         When the student completes the individual pages, they schedule a conference with their teacher.  At the conference, the student is given direct feedback about their page, so that they can revise and improve their grade immediately....if they choose.

Repeat steps 3-6 until pages are complete. 

8th- Utopia Project Calendar

Utopia Calendar--daily focus and due dates

December 3 No School (Grade Day)	4 6 Character-istics Due	5 5-6 Details Due	6 Work Day Drafting of  Page #1	7 Work Day Typing and Finalize Page #1
10 Final Draft #1 Due	11 Work Day Drafting of  Page #2	12 Work Day Typing and Finalize Page #2	13 Final Draft #2 With Illustration Due	14 Work Day Drafting of  Page #3
17 Work Day Typing and Finalize Page #3	18 Final Draft #3 with Illustration Due	19 Work Day Drafting of  Page #4	20 Work Day Typing and Finalize Page #4	21 Final Draft #4 with Illustration Due
24 Winter Break	25 Winter Break	26 Winter Break	27 Winter Break	28 Winter Break
31 Winter Break	January 1 Winter Break	2 Winter Break	3 Winter Break	4 Winter Break
7 Work Day Drafting of  Page #5	8 Work Day Typing and Finalize Page #5	9 Final Draft #5 with Illustrations Due	10 Work Day Drafting of  Page #6	11 Work Day Typing and Finalize Page #6
14 Final Draft #6 with Illustration Due	15 Work Day Drafting of  Page #7	16 Work Day Typing and Finalize Page #7 (Your Choice Page)	17 Final Draft #7 with Illustration Due	18 Map Due
21 Work Day	22 Graph/ Chart/ Table Due	23 Work Day	24 Index Due	25 Finish Cover BOOK DUE!

8th- Utopia Project Targets

Students will receive scores for all 5 targets, for each completed page. 

Writing Target: I can write an intriguing lead that makes the reader want to keep reading.

0	1	2	3	4
I do not know what a lead is.		I can write a lead, but it may not hold the reader’s interest.	I can write an intriguing lead that makes the reader want to keep reading.	I can write an exceptionally intriguing lead that makes the reader want to keep reading.

Writing Target: I use precise and descriptive language to create visual images in the reader’s mind.

0	1	2	3	4
I do not know what precise, descriptive language is.	I use general, ordinary language in my writing.	Most of the time I use general, ordinary language but I do stretch occasionally to make my writing create an image in the reader’s mind.	I use precise and descriptive language to create visual images in the reader’s mind.	I use exceptionally precise and descriptive language to make my writing come alive.

Writing Target: I use transitions and vary sentence beginnings to give my writing good rhythm and fluency. 

 

0	1	2	3	4
I do not know what transitions are or how to vary sentence beginnings.		I try to use transitions and vary sentence to improve my fluency, but it often sounds stiff, repetitive or stilted.	I use transitions and vary sentence beginnings to give my writing good rhythm and fluency.	I use transitions and vary sentence beginnings to give my writing extremely good rhythm and fluency.

Writing Target:  I use correct conventions in my writing.

0	1	2	3	4
I did not edit my writing.	I have several convention mistakes in my writing.	I have 1-2 convention mistakes in my writing.	I use correct conventions in my writing.	I use correct conventions in my writing, even with especially difficult words and punctuation.

Aesthetics: I have taken time and effort to develop work that has a professional appearance (straight lines, typed or nicely printed, black lined text, simple, but neat illustrations).

0	1	2	3	4
I have not taken time and effort to develop work that has a professional appearance (straight lines, typed or nicely printed, black lined text, simple, but neat illustrations).		I have taken time and effort to develop work that has a somewhat professional appearance (straight lines, typed or nicely printed, black lined text, simple, but neat illustrations).	I have taken time and effort to develop work that has a professional appearance (straight lines, typed or nicely printed, black lined text, simple, but neat illustrations).	I have taken time and effort to develop work that has an extremely professional appearance (straight lines, typed or nicely printed, black lined text, simple, but neat illustrations).