Learning Lap 7 Project

Overview of project
In our unit, we have been exploring short story collections as a way to more fully understand
storytelling and the complexities that come along with it.

For our summative assessment, we’ll engage in a meeting of the minds where we’ll think
deeply about the ways in which bigger ideas and themes have been incorporated into our short
form texts.

To successfully do this, you’ll produce a creative, individual product that addresses what you
learned from your readings. You’ll use evidence from our readings, our discussions, your lived
experiences, and some light research to help you create your project.

On the last day of our unit, we’ll present our projects to each other with our groups. As we
examine each other’s work, you’ll be responsible for leaving feedback, notes, and comments
for 5 of your classmates’ (individual, not group) work: what really got you thinking, what
questions are coming up for you, and what you really admire about their work.

After presentations and comments from classmates, you’ll write a reflection that addresses the
comments you received on your presentation and your final reflections on your learnings.

Product presentation ideas

Creatively present your ideas in a product from any of the following choices:
● Produce 2-3 slides individually (you may also produce a whole slideshow with your
group, but everyone must still contribute 2-3 slides with all the required information)
● Create a poster
● Craft an infographic
● Write your own short story in a similar style to your author
● Film a video
● Draw a graphic memoir or novel, or section of one
● Draw or paint or sculpt an artistic piece
● Produce a podcast
● Ted Talk
● What else could you create that isn’t listed here that could help you creatively present
your learnings? Talk with me if you have any alternative ideas.

Project requirements:
Regardless of which way you choose to present your information, you must:
Explain what you learned from your text, offering 3-4 unique and well-thought-out
claims for how this reading had a greater connection to your own life, society, or the
 world around you, either shown through themes, ideas, beliefs, or events. ONE of your
claims should reflect on the ways in which figurative language worked to develop the
text and add additional meaning to your reading, supplemented with textual evidence.
○ These claims could be (but are not limited to) reflections on:
■ Purpose of writing this text (maybe some author background?) AND if the
purpose was properly fulfilled/achieved in your opinion
■ Themes, ideas, allegories, social or widespread issues/concerns that
connect to your lived experiences, society, or the world
■ Overall message from the text– what you gained/learned from reading
■ Interesting or odd things you noticed from either the writing style or
happenings within the text– why these interested you
■ How all the short stories connected (or didn’t connect) with one another–
why this is significant or interesting
■ How these short stories may connect to other stories you’ve read before
■ Anything else you would like to address!
Support your claims with evidence, drawing on what we've read throughout the unit,
your lived experiences, and some light research. Aim for about 2-3 pieces of evidence
for each claim you make. Your evidence should be a mix of textual evidence from our
readings, lived experiences, research, and ideas mentioned in our discussions.
Present your work to us alongside your group
Submit feedback for 5 of your peers' projects.
Submit your reflection of your project that:
○ Describes what you’re especially proud of in your work
○ Describes what you struggled with throughout this learning lap
○ Explains what grade you think you deserve and why
○ Responds to your classmates’ comments and questions about your presentation

Grading criteria

See the rubric below :)

Standard: Read and comprehend literature, including
stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9–10 text
complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed
at the high end of the range. This standard will be
assessed through your accuracy, knowledge on topic,
and relevancy (5 points)

Standard: Determine the meaning of words and phrases

as they are used in a text, including figurative,
connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the
cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning
and tone. Remember your claim about figurative
language! (5 points)

Standard: Present information, findings, and supporting

evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that
listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the
organization, development, substance, and style are
appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
Presentation is *REQUIRED* (5 points)

Standard: Make strategic use of digital media (e.g.,

textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive
elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of
findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest. (5
points)

Creativity, product quality, and aesthetics: Make a high

quality project that looks nice and eye-catching.
Demonstrates creativity and originality. Ideas are
presented in a clear, concise, and logical manner;
organization of the project is intuitive and easy to follow;
communication is effective and efficient. (10 points)

Effort: Demonstrates consistent and thorough effort

throughout the project; shows evidence of research,
thought, and planning. (10 points)

Include Evidence: 2-3 pieces of evidence for each claim

you make (more details above) (10 points)

Feedback: Give feedback to 5 peers (5 points)

Total: 55 points
Also… Complete reflection (15 points) *REQUIRED*

Project + Reflection: 70 points possible!!