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The Alchemist
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The Alchemist is a novel by Paulo Coelho that depicts the journey of Santiago, a shepherd boy searching for the realization of his personal legend, in other words, realizing his dreams. While traveling across the desert, Santiago learns to recognize and listen to omens and becomes familiar with the language of the universe.
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“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.”
Part 1: Written Response
Common Core State Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1
- Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.2
- Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.4
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.10
- By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1
- Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5
- With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 8 here.)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.9
- Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.10
- Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.2
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.3
- Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is to encourage students to think critically about the choices authors make. Students will use an argumentative approach to practice organizing their thoughts and using textual evidence to support their claim.
The purpose of this assignment is to encourage students to think critically about the choices authors make. Students will use an argumentative approach to practice organizing their thoughts and using textual evidence to support their claim.
Prompt:
Paulo Coelho chose to begin The Alchemist with an adapted form of the myth of Narcissus. Write a 1-2 page essay (double spaced) arguing a possible rationale behind this choice. Use evidence from the text to support your argument. Hint: How does the prologue connect to the rest of the book?
Paulo Coelho chose to begin The Alchemist with an adapted form of the myth of Narcissus. Write a 1-2 page essay (double spaced) arguing a possible rationale behind this choice. Use evidence from the text to support your argument. Hint: How does the prologue connect to the rest of the book?
Part 2: Podcasting
Common Core State Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.10
- Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.7
- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.6
- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.3
- Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is for students to present the book in a compelling way and to make text to self connections. Students will display this information in the form of a podcast, taking into account their target audience.
The purpose of this assignment is for students to present the book in a compelling way and to make text to self connections. Students will display this information in the form of a podcast, taking into account their target audience.
Prompt:
Compose a podcast in which you present the book in a way that intrigues listeners. Provide reliable research information on both the book and the author. Include at least one connection between the text and yourself.
Compose a podcast in which you present the book in a way that intrigues listeners. Provide reliable research information on both the book and the author. Include at least one connection between the text and yourself.
Part 3: Digital Storytelling
Common Core State Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5
- With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 8 here.)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.10
- Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.7
- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.6
- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.3
- Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.3
- Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is for students to demonstrate their comprehension of the novel through the retelling of the story with the intended audience in mind. Students will employ their understanding of the book to create a movie trailer.
The purpose of this assignment is for students to demonstrate their comprehension of the novel through the retelling of the story with the intended audience in mind. Students will employ their understanding of the book to create a movie trailer.
Prompt:
Create a movie trailer for The Alchemist. Be as creative as you would like, but stay true to Paulo Coelho's story. You can give away as much or as little of the story as you would like. Your trailer should be no more than 3 minutes in length. Make sure to include: Title and author's name. Remember: Cite any sources used!
Create a movie trailer for The Alchemist. Be as creative as you would like, but stay true to Paulo Coelho's story. You can give away as much or as little of the story as you would like. Your trailer should be no more than 3 minutes in length. Make sure to include: Title and author's name. Remember: Cite any sources used!
Part 4: Infographic
Common Core State Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.7
- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.6
- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.7
- Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.8
- Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.9
- Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.10
- Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.2
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.3
- Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is to offer students an opportunity to practice research and consider their audience when presenting information. Students will use multiple sources to gather research information and will display their research in the form of an infographic.
The purpose of this assignment is to offer students an opportunity to practice research and consider their audience when presenting information. Students will use multiple sources to gather research information and will display their research in the form of an infographic.
Prompt:
Choose a topic from The Alchemist to research further: Omens, Universal Language, Camino de Santiago, or a pre-approved personal choice. Create an infographic displaying pertinent information you gather during your research. Keep in mind your audience while constructing your infographic. Reminder: Cite your sources!
Choose a topic from The Alchemist to research further: Omens, Universal Language, Camino de Santiago, or a pre-approved personal choice. Create an infographic displaying pertinent information you gather during your research. Keep in mind your audience while constructing your infographic. Reminder: Cite your sources!