Reading Activity

We read the story Eleven, by Sandra Cisneros. Then students were placed in teams of five to play an interactive game called, "Numbered Heads Together". I used quarter 2 standard questions that related to the story Eleven and each team came up with their own answers. Then we used the electronic spinner to see who would answer the questions for their team.
After the game, students wrote a response to Literature using insight into the characters. Once their essays were completed, they posted them on a message board in Thinkquest for the class to read.

This is what the game looks like....

Students working in teams answering their questions

Students working in teams

This board posts the game and questions...

Example of a students essay:

• Courtney C
  Response to Literature- Eleven
            Do you like your birthdays, getting presents and being with family? In the story Eleven, By Sandra Cisneros we learn that a girl named Rachel isn’t being understood by her unreasonable teacher. The theme of the story is even though we are a certain age; we can morph into whatever age fits our emotions best. The story is good because it tells of a life lesson that should be known by all.
           The main character in the story is Rachel. One word to describe her is frustrated, for example on Pg. 365 she thinks in her head “Not Mine, Not Mine, Not Mine” when Mrs. Price is telling her that the ugly red sweater is hers. This shows that she is annoyed because her teacher isn’t listening to her. Another word to describe her is Unhappy, for example on Pg. 366, “I’m crying in front of everyone”, this shows that she is embarrassed to be acting like a three year old. And a final word to describe Rachel is Many Ages, for example on Pg. 365 “What they don’t tell you about being eleven is that your also ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, and one.”, this shows that even though you are eleven you don’t always have to act eleven.
               Another character in the story is Mrs. Price. One word to describe her is mean, for example on Pg. 366, “You put that sweater on right now!” this shows that she isn’t very good at listening. Another word to describe her is rude, for example on Pg. 366 “Mrs. Price pretends like everything is OK” this shows that she doesn’t want to believe that she is wrong and somebody else is right. A final word to describe Mrs. Price is unreasonable, for example on Pg. 366 “Mrs. Price says ‘Now Rachel that’s enough!” this shows that she just can’t wrap her head around that sweater not being Rachel’s.
               In conclusion, the story Eleven by Sandra Cisneros is interesting because of the way she talks about the way we have all different ages and emotions inside of us.
  
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