Tet Holiday Photo Essay

Think of what makes the holidays special to you.

Could it be Family? Friends? Traditions? Religion? Activities? Food? Travel? …something else?

Make a list of these things of things you expect before the holidays begin. Keep your camera/phone handy during the holidays. Take as many pictures as you like, but select the best ones for your presentation.

Instructions

Your photo essay will:

□ be printed and typed OR will be a digital presentation (ie., PowerPoint or MovieMaker)

□ include between 8 and 10 original photos taken by YOU.

□ have a written explanation of each photo (3-5 sentences)

□ be descriptive: what do the photos show?

□ be presented to your classmates after Tet

Suggested 3-part response for each photo (includes the 5W’s):

1. “This photo is of…[what the photo shows: who, what, when]”

2. “Here, we are….[what is happening in the photo: why, how]”

3. “This is important to me because….[reflection of ‘so what’]”

After the break, you will have ONE CLASS PERIOD to peer-edit your responses, and your presentations will be printed in colour and posted in our class.

HAVE FUN! BE CREATIVE! J

Celebrating Diversity at CIS

In late January, and into the month of February, the grade 8 classes will be completing and independent project in English. This research based assignment will culminate in a DIVERSITY FAIR, which will take the form of a Science Fair, with individual students having display boards that provide information on their particular diversity project. Other CIS students, teachers, and parents will be invited.

Diversity projects may take many forms, depending on the scope of the project and the wishes of the presenter. Time will be given in English class to work on the projects. Formal presentations to the class will take the place of a speech. Each student will be expected to complete a project independently. This will account for a percentage of the Oral/ Visual mark, writing mark and reading mark. It is a HUGE PROJECT and requires each student to determine the pace of their own learning.

Due to the three classes participating in the DIVERSTIY FAIR, each student is expected to choose their own topic and provide a proposal to their homeroom teacher that will outline what their project will be composed of. Each student will be expected to complete a different topic and those topics will be assigned on a first come first serve basis.

Some topic ideas are:

Ethnic diversity Legal Rights of Children

Family dynamics Child Poverty

Religion Prejudices and Stereotypes

Mental Health Concerns Media Portrayals

Physical Disabilities Child Labour

Refugees Gender Equity

Free Education Health Care Access

Within each of these topics are a host of ideas. Choose something that is meaningful to you. Keep your focus narrow, so your research time can be productive. You must meet all of the deadlines.

You will need to complete the following:

ü Project proposal

ü A presentation board that can stand on its own

ü An activity, pamphlet or short writing assignment that explains your project

ü Oral presentation of 3-5 minutes to the class

ü Display work for the DIVERSITY FAIR

Diversity Project Proposal Name:

General Topic Idea:

Specific Thesis Statement:

Description of Project: (general idea of what you are going to research, what types of things you are going to include on your presentation board, questions you would like answered, messages you want to make sure you get across to your audience)

Due Dates

· Proposal – January 30th

· Class Presentations - week of February 20^th – 24^th (parents on the 25^th?)

· Diversity Fair - February 29^th

Tet Holiday: Super-fun Superstition :)

See the worksheet for instructions.

Colour Zodiac Animal Signs
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/NewYearDays.htm

Compatability Matches (family/friends/relationships)
http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Dragon.htm

Zodiac Signs
http://zodiac-signs-astrology.com/

Zodiac Elements
http://zodiac-signs-astrology.com/zodiac-signs/zodiac-elements.htm