This year, 5% of your grade will come from completing enrichment activities, which are assignments completed on your own, outside of class, to further your understanding and knowledge of the topics we are studying. Each option is worth a certain number of points, and how many points you earn for each assignment will be assessed on the quality of the work.
In order to receive full credit for enrichment assignments, you must complete 5 points' worth of Enrichment Activities each semester (September-January and February-June.)
Related handouts and documents, in bold below, are available in the classroom or can be found here. Students may also access them by logging in to their Google Classroom account (no log in is required for the link above).
Assignment worth up to 3 points
1. Book Ball (Book Critique)
Choose a book from the provided list of books on the topic of the current unit of study. As you read, record historical references and events that are connected to what you are learning in class. Once you finish the book, complete the Book Ball creative book report project. Download a book list of suggested titles for the unit and instructions for creating the Book Ball.
Assignments worth up to 2 points
2. Visit a Museum Exhibit
Visit a museum exhibit related to content that we have studied this unit. Consult the list of suggested museums. Complete the Museum Exhibit Guide handout.
3. DBQ (Document Based Questions)
Complete a DBQ packet by analyzing the documents, answering the short answer questions, and then writing an essay on the prompt provided in the packet. Be sure to read the DBQ Instructions handout. Additional DBQs are available in the classroom -- please ask your teacher.
4. Artistic Expressions
Choose one of the following modes of artistic expression to convey the important ideas of a topic within the current unit of study:
5. Film Critique
Choose a film related to the current unit of study. Record your notes on the film as you watch it and then write a film critique about what the film was about, the strengths of the film, how it relates to class and whether you would recommend it. Download a film list of suggested titles and a viewing guide.
6. Webquest
Choose a webquest from the Webquests folder and follow the directions on the corresponding packets.
7. Oral History Interview
Conduct an oral history interview with a friend or relative who lived through a period of history studied in our current unit. The purpose of an oral history interview is to understand a historical event or period from the perspective of someone who lived through it. Before the interview, write a list of questions that you will ask. (Think about what you already know about the event or time period.) During the interview, take notes about what the person says. (In additon, with his/her permission, you may decide to record the interview so you can listen and take notes later.) Turn in the questions you asked, your notes from the interview (not the recording), and one paragraph explaining what you heard in the interview connects to what we are studying in the unit. Read some additional tips for conducting an oral history interview.
Assignments worth up to 1 point
8. Political Cartoon
Create a political cartoon about a topic/issue/event related to the current unit.
For instructions on how to make a political cartoon, read: Make a Political Cartoon and/or watch How to Make a Political Cartoon.
You may draw your political cartoon on paper or use a computer program such as ToonDoo (free). In order to receive full credit, your political cartoon should reflect effort, attention to detail, and an understanding of the topic/ideas.
9. Current Events Report
In addition to the current event you are responsible for during your assigned week, you may find another article and write a summary, response, and connection. Follow the instructions for current events reports and share your current events with the class.
10. Picture Book Analysis
Choose a picture book from the provided list of books on the topic of the current unit of study. As you read, record historical references and events that are connected to what you are learning in class. Write an analysis (minimum 1 page typed, double-spaced or hand-written) that briefly summarizes the story and explains the historical and/or thematic connections to the current unit of study. Download a book list of suggested titles.
Assignments worth up to ½ point
11. Illustrate a Vocabulary Word
Draw a picture or diagram to show the meaning of a vocabulary word from the current unit. The drawing must be in color and help to EXPLAIN the definition of the word. The vocabulary word and an accurate definition should be written neatly in large letters.
12. Brainpop Video & Quiz (Middle School Only)
Watch a Brainpop video related to the current unit, at www.brainpop.com. (Ask your teacher for log-in information, which is required for most videos.) Then take the Quiz: select "Graded Quiz", answer the questions, and select "Email your answers" (to [email protected] or [email protected]). You will earn enrichment points if you answer at least 9 out of 10 questions correctly.
13. Schoolhouse Rock! Video Critique (7th & 8th Grade Only)
Watch a Schoolhouse Rock! video related to the current unit. (Access a playlist of Schoolhouse Rock! videos on YouTube here). Then write a 1- to 2-paragraph critique of the video, addressing some of the following questions:
In order to receive full credit for enrichment assignments, you must complete 5 points' worth of Enrichment Activities each semester (September-January and February-June.)
Related handouts and documents, in bold below, are available in the classroom or can be found here. Students may also access them by logging in to their Google Classroom account (no log in is required for the link above).
Assignment worth up to 3 points
1. Book Ball (Book Critique)
Choose a book from the provided list of books on the topic of the current unit of study. As you read, record historical references and events that are connected to what you are learning in class. Once you finish the book, complete the Book Ball creative book report project. Download a book list of suggested titles for the unit and instructions for creating the Book Ball.
Assignments worth up to 2 points
2. Visit a Museum Exhibit
Visit a museum exhibit related to content that we have studied this unit. Consult the list of suggested museums. Complete the Museum Exhibit Guide handout.
3. DBQ (Document Based Questions)
Complete a DBQ packet by analyzing the documents, answering the short answer questions, and then writing an essay on the prompt provided in the packet. Be sure to read the DBQ Instructions handout. Additional DBQs are available in the classroom -- please ask your teacher.
4. Artistic Expressions
Choose one of the following modes of artistic expression to convey the important ideas of a topic within the current unit of study:
- write and perform a song or poem
- draw or paint a picture
- write a perform skit or monologue
- another artistic mode of your choice (prior teacher approval required).
5. Film Critique
Choose a film related to the current unit of study. Record your notes on the film as you watch it and then write a film critique about what the film was about, the strengths of the film, how it relates to class and whether you would recommend it. Download a film list of suggested titles and a viewing guide.
6. Webquest
Choose a webquest from the Webquests folder and follow the directions on the corresponding packets.
7. Oral History Interview
Conduct an oral history interview with a friend or relative who lived through a period of history studied in our current unit. The purpose of an oral history interview is to understand a historical event or period from the perspective of someone who lived through it. Before the interview, write a list of questions that you will ask. (Think about what you already know about the event or time period.) During the interview, take notes about what the person says. (In additon, with his/her permission, you may decide to record the interview so you can listen and take notes later.) Turn in the questions you asked, your notes from the interview (not the recording), and one paragraph explaining what you heard in the interview connects to what we are studying in the unit. Read some additional tips for conducting an oral history interview.
Assignments worth up to 1 point
8. Political Cartoon
Create a political cartoon about a topic/issue/event related to the current unit.
For instructions on how to make a political cartoon, read: Make a Political Cartoon and/or watch How to Make a Political Cartoon.
You may draw your political cartoon on paper or use a computer program such as ToonDoo (free). In order to receive full credit, your political cartoon should reflect effort, attention to detail, and an understanding of the topic/ideas.
9. Current Events Report
In addition to the current event you are responsible for during your assigned week, you may find another article and write a summary, response, and connection. Follow the instructions for current events reports and share your current events with the class.
10. Picture Book Analysis
Choose a picture book from the provided list of books on the topic of the current unit of study. As you read, record historical references and events that are connected to what you are learning in class. Write an analysis (minimum 1 page typed, double-spaced or hand-written) that briefly summarizes the story and explains the historical and/or thematic connections to the current unit of study. Download a book list of suggested titles.
Assignments worth up to ½ point
11. Illustrate a Vocabulary Word
Draw a picture or diagram to show the meaning of a vocabulary word from the current unit. The drawing must be in color and help to EXPLAIN the definition of the word. The vocabulary word and an accurate definition should be written neatly in large letters.
12. Brainpop Video & Quiz (Middle School Only)
Watch a Brainpop video related to the current unit, at www.brainpop.com. (Ask your teacher for log-in information, which is required for most videos.) Then take the Quiz: select "Graded Quiz", answer the questions, and select "Email your answers" (to [email protected] or [email protected]). You will earn enrichment points if you answer at least 9 out of 10 questions correctly.
13. Schoolhouse Rock! Video Critique (7th & 8th Grade Only)
Watch a Schoolhouse Rock! video related to the current unit. (Access a playlist of Schoolhouse Rock! videos on YouTube here). Then write a 1- to 2-paragraph critique of the video, addressing some of the following questions:
- How accurately does the video explain the event or topic?
- How do the lyrics, music, and images work together?
- Whose perspectives are included in the video?
- Whose perspectives are not included in the video?
- Based on what you've learned in the unit, what would you add or change to the video to make it more accurate and/or represent additional perspectives?