Sarasota County Public Schools, Sarasota, Florida

TEACHER'S GUIDE TO INTERNET RESOURCES

The All-American Slurp

Theme: NONFICTION
ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE: Introductory Course
Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, 1997
Grade Level: 6

Comments about this guide are welcome to
lynn_urban@srqit.sarasota.k12.fl.us

INTRODUCTION

This teacher's guide to Internet resources was developed by Sarasota County Public School teachers to enrich the language arts curriculum and encourage the use of interdisciplinary activities. This guide is designed to supplement the reading selection "The All American Slurp," by Lensey Namioka, in the Holt, Rinehart, and Winston textbook, "Elements of Literature: Introductory Course," for sixth grade students.

Disclaimer: Due to the fact that Internet resources change frequently, it is advisable that all teachers carefully review the Internet sites listed in this guide before using them with their students.

Title of reading selection: "The All-American Slurp" by Lensey Namioka

Synopsis of selection: This comical short story is told by a Chinese-American girl. Both she and her girlfriend, Meg, learn about the similarities and differences between their cultures during the many humorous scenarios presented by the author. Both girls' families learn to be patient and kind as they work through the culture shock they experience during shared meal times.

 

SARASOTA COUNTY TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM CORRELATION:

  • The student will use electronic resources to locate information.
  • The student will analyze, evaluate, and select relevant information gathered through electronic resources (Internet).

 

Menu Of Activities

ACTIVITY 1
ACTIVITY 2
ACTIVITY 3
ACTIVITY 4
ACTIVITY 5
Cyberguides Homepage
Middle School Menu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACTIVITY 1: Art, Culture and Point of View
(Art, Social Studies, Language Arts)
[Menu]

Introduction: In this activity, students choose a pair of paintings to compare and contrast, and answer a series of interpretive questions. The questions are designed to highlight interesting similarities and differences in art as well as to encourage students to view art in a more analytical manner.

Sarasota County Curriculum Correlation:

  • ART: Aesthetic Valuing - Analysis, Interpretation and Judgment
  • ART: Aesthetic Perception - Developing an Aesthetic Awareness
  • SOCIAL STUDIES 3.1.1: Identify ways in which cultural characteristics are transmitted between and within societies.

Grouping: Individual or small group

Materials needed:

  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Computer with Internet access

Procedure for teacher:

  • Prior to completing this activity, students would have read "The All American Slurp."
  • Introduce the concept that art as well as literature involves a "point of view."
  • Create a bookmark for the "Eyes on Art" website.
  • Students log onto the website.
  • Using the website, students view artwork and answer the questions, which focus on cultural perspectives and point of view.

Procedure for students:

  • "The All-American Slurp" expresses both the Chinese and the American point of view about each group's culture (food, clothing...).
  • Use the bookmark or type in the URL to go to the "Eyes on Art" website.
  • Scroll down the page and click on "2 Views 4 U."
  • Read directions, # 1 and # 2.
  • Select the "Cultural Value" set of artwork.
  • Spend at least three minutes viewing each painting.
  • Click on the link to enlarge the image, if desired and use the "back" button to return to the previous page.
  • Scroll down to the questions underneath the artwork and answer them on notebook paper in complete sentences.

Website information:

  • Name of website: Eyes on Art
  • URL: http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/art/art.html
  • Description of website: This site houses interactive lessons as well as a multitude of artwork for student and teacher viewing. The creators focused on their state's art education standards. They are attempting to increase student awareness, appreciation, and understanding of art.
  • Producer of website: Tom March, Applications Design Team/Wired Learning [tmarch@mail.sdsu.edu]


ACTIVITY 2: Comparing Chinese Folk Tales
(Language Arts)
[Menu]

Introduction: This activity provides Chinese folk tales for students to read and study. Using the Venn Diagram Graphic Organizer, students compare and contrast two Chinese folk tales and see firsthand the components of each.

Sarasota County Curriculum Correlation:

  • LANGUAGE ARTS 3.3.4: Compare or contrast similarities and differences drawn from literacy and informational texts.

Grouping: Individual, pairs, or small group

Materials needed:

Procedure for teacher:

  • Prior to completing this activity, students would have read "The All American Slurp."
  • Discuss the relationship of Chinese folk tales to the story, "The All-American Slurp."
  • Review with students how to use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast.
  • Create a bookmark for the "Folklore and Mythology Electronic Texts" website.
  • Provide a copy of the Venn Diagram Graphic Organizer to each student.
  • Students go to the designated website and read both folk tales.
  • Students use the Venn Diagram Graphic Organizer to compare and contrast the two tales.

Procedure for students:

  • Use the bookmark or type in the URL to go to the "Folklore and Mythology Electronic Texts" website.
  • Look for the letters "A, B, C..." and click on the letter "C" for "China."
  • Scroll down and click on "Folk Tales From China."
  • Read the folk tales, "The Magic Moneybag" and "Aniz the Shepherd."
  • Label the Venn Diagram Graphic Organizer provided by your teacher. Label one side of the diagram with the title of one of the folk tales and the other side of the diagram with the title of the other folk tale.
  • Complete the diagram, comparing and contrasting the two folk tales.

Website information:

  • Name of website: Folklore and Mythology Electronic Texts
  • URL: http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/folktexts.html
  • Description of website: This site provides a multitude of folk tales from many countries. Legends, myths, folk tales, and heroic stories abound. Also, a convenient alphabetical index makes accessing the stories easy.
  • Producer of website: D.L. Ashliman, University of Pittsburgh

 

ACTIVITY 3: Root Word Puzzles
(Language Arts)
[Menu]

Introduction: This activity will improve students knowledge of root words as well as increase their vocabulary. Students try to solve various root word puzzles and are encouraged to use a thesaurus and dictionary.

Sarasota County Curriculum Correlation:

  • LANGUAGE ARTS 2.1: Analyze the meaning of words using word structure, context and word origin.
  • LANGUAGE ARTS 4.1.8: Use a dictionary and thesaurus to confirm spelling, revise word choice and clarify meaning.

Grouping: Individual or small group

Materials needed:

  • Computer with Internet access

Procedure for teacher:

  • Prior to completing this activity, students would have read "The All American Slurp."
  • Introduce root words to the class.
  • Create a bookmark for the "Learn Vocabulary" website.
  • Students go to the website and solve word puzzles as directed.
  • Students record and check answers directly on the web page.

Directions for students:

  • Get your dictionary and thesaurus!
  • Use the bookmark or type in the URL to go to the "Learn Vocabulary" website.
  • Under "Grade Level Puzzles" click on "www.vocabulary.com."
  • Under "Begin Playing Puzzles," click on "Level 2."
  • Before beginning to work on a puzzle, click on "Directions" at the top of the puzzle and read the directions provided.
  • Use the "back" button to return to the puzzle page.
  • Solve the puzzles, typing your answers in the space provided below each puzzle.
  • Check your answers against the correct answers provided.
  • When all puzzles are completed, type in your name and the school's email address and click "submit."

Website information:

  • Name of website: Learn Vocabulary
  • URL: http://www.syndicate.com
  • Description of site: The creator of this site believes that learning vocabulary can be fun for everyone! He has created bimonthly word puzzle contests as well as grade specific comic strips, puzzles, and word games. Students' vocabulary and skills will be improved in an entertaining manner.
  • Producer of website: Carey Cook aka "Rich Encounter," Sam Mantics Enterprises, rich@syndicate.com

ACTIVITY 4: KABOOM! The Components of Fireworks
(Science)
[top]

Introduction: This site from NOVA offers a scientific view of the components of fireworks. A colored picture of aerial fireworks is divided into segments, providing the viewer the opportunity to click and learn about each section's purpose. This site also offers a periodic table with the fireworks elements highlighted so students can learn about each element's role in the making of pyrotechnics.

Sarasota County Curriculum Correlation:

  • SCIENCE 1.1.2: Describe the effect of a change in temperature on common materials.
  • SCIENCE 1.2.5: Differentiate between chemical and physical changes.
  • LANGUAGE ARTS 4.1.4: Organize and record information using a variety of techniques.

Grouping: Individual or small group

Materials needed:

Procedure for teacher:

  • Prior to completing this activity, students would have read "The All American Slurp."
  • Relate this activity to the story, telling students that the black powder used to ignite fireworks was first used in China over 1000 years ago!
  • Create a bookmark for the "NOVA Online: Kaboom" website.
  • Provide each student with your choice of graphic organizer.
  • Students use the website and either the Concept Web Graphic Organizer or the Events Chain Graphic Organizer to complete one of the two assignments below.

Procedure for students:

  • Use the bookmark or type in the URL to go to the "NOVA Online: Kaboom" website.
  • Use the graphic organizer provided by your teacher to complete one of the activities below (teacher choice):
    • Use the Concept Web Graphic Organizer for this activity. Click on "Pyrotechnics: It's Elemental." Write "A Firework's Elements from the Periodic Table" in your Concept Web Graphic Organizer's center circle. On the website's periodic table, click on the elements of your choice (7 to 10 ). Record each element's name, symbol, and importance (found on the website in a phrase at the bottom of element information) on the lines around the web's center .
    • Use the Events Chain Graphic Organizer for this activity. Click on "Anatomy of a Fireworks." Use one half of the Events Chain Graphic Organizer to record the events which take place when a fireworks takes off. Use the second half of the organizer to predict a malfunction in the process and the resulting events which would take place.

Website information:

  • Name of website: NOVA Online: Kaboom
  • URL: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/kaboom
  • Description of website: NOVA provides this interactive site which delves into the fascinating world of pyrotechnics (fireworks!). It houses beautiful graphics which can be enlarged and also provides easy-to-read information about the components of fireworks.
  • Producer of website: NOVA is produced for PBS by the WGBH Science Unit, PBS Online

 

ACTIVITY 5: Beautiful China: Speaking is Believing!
(Social Studies)
[Menu]

Introduction: Students will delve into the language of China as they learn how to pronounce various Chinese words. The interactive Internet site allows students to pick and choose the sights and sounds that they wish to hear (examples: love, brother, sky...)

Sarasota County Curriculum Correlation:

  • SOCIAL STUDIES 3.3.3: Recognize the role of language diversity in Asian cultures.
  • LANGUAGE ARTS 1.1.5: Use information that is orally presented for a variety of purposes.

Grouping: Individual or pairs

Materials needed:

  • Computer with Internet access
  • NOTE: Specific software is required on the a computer in order to download and listen to the words being spoken. Test this activity on your computer before using it with students.

Procedure for teacher:

  • Prior to completing this activity, students would have read "The All American Slurp."
  • Introduce China and relate it to the story.
  • Create a bookmark for the "China the Beautiful" website.
  • Students use the website to hear words spoken in Chinese.
  • This activity has students learning the Chinese language. Students will click on an image to see the word it represents and can click on an icon of a speaker to hear the word pronounced.

Procedure for students:

  • Use the bookmark or type in the URL to go to the "China the Beautiful" website.
  • Click on "China Room."
  • At the top of the page, click on "Flash cards."
  • Click on an icon to see the word it represents, and click on the speaker icon to hear the word pronounced.
  • During this activity, learn five to ten Chinese words by heart!

Website information:

  • Name of website: China the Beautiful
    • URL: http://www.chinapage.com/china.html
    • Description of website: In the words of the website's creator, "China the Beautiful is a website on the Internet serving as a primary resource site for the Chinese classics, arts, history, literature, poetry, calligraphy, paintings, and all that is beautiful and glorious in the Chinese culture. It is dedicated to all people in the world with a love of the Chinese heritage."
    • Producer of website: Dr. Ming L. Pei, Webmaster-Editor
  • Bonus websites: