7 th Grade Language Arts

Book Project PresentationNote: Please add these slides to the author research Powerpoint that you have already begun.7th Grade Language Arts

Your Goals and Instructions:

To report your knowledge and understanding of various literary aspects of your book.

To create a PowerPoint presentation to share this information.

Following these instructions, you will see an example based on the short story “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto.

More Information: You do not necessarily need to include the

exact slides that I did in the example, but your effort and content should be equivalent.

Feel free to comment on literary elements of your book if you have already started reading, including: characterization, setting, author’s style, etc.

Save your presentation in your server documents so that you may continue working on it next week.

Make sure you have the following slides from Part 1 of this assignment: Setting Historical Context (if it applies to your book) Cultural Context (if it applies to your book) Unfamiliar Vocabulary Words used in the

book and their definitions Any “made up” or special vocabulary that is

relevant to your book, for example, the reaping in The Hunger Games, or the Spanish words used in “Seventh Grade”

Setting of the story “Seventh Grade” “Seventh Grade” takes place in a school

in Fresno, California, which is the fifth largest city in the state.

Fresno, which means ash tree in Spanish is located in the center of the San Joaquin Valley in Central California.

There is no particular time era mentioned in the story, which leads the reader to assume that it takes place at the time it was written, in the 1980’s.

The story takes place on the first day of school.

Historical Context of “Seventh Grade” This story likely took place in the 1980’s Clues: computer cards, crackling loud speaker, GQ Historical and Cultural Highlights of the 1980’s:

the Cold War, conflict in the Middle East, space shuttle Challenger tragedy, E.T., Flashdance, Michael Jackson, Madonna, the cola wars (Coke vs. Pepsi), the preppie look, punk, neon, spandex, leg warmers, computer technology still new and evolving.

This is a screen from an Atari video game.We thought this was very cool in the 80’s!

Cultural Context

The main characters are are Mexican-American. The characters attended a Catholic school as

children “…since they were in catechism classes at Saint Theresa’s…” pg. 1

The characters are probably not wealthy. According to the text, the boys picked grapes in order to buy their fall clothes.

Vocabulary Words from “Seventh Grade” elective: optional course or subject conviction: belief

sheepishly: in a shy orembarrased way

Sibera: a region in northern Asia known for its harsh winters

Vocabulary, Continued…

portly: large, heavy, rounded

ferocity: having great force

linger: to stay; to remain

scowl: an expression of anger; frown

Spanish Words Used in the Story raza or “race” refers to people of Mexican-

American, particularly Mexican-Native American descent

saludo de vato: Spanish gestures of greetings between friends

ese: man

French Language Used in the Story Bonjour: “Hello” or “Good Day”

Très bien. Parlez-vous français? “Very well. Do you speak French?”

Le bateau est sur l’eau: “The boat is on the water.”

Part 2 This is the actual beginning of the NEW slides for part two.

Characters in “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto Protagonist: Victor Rodriguez Antagonist: The main conflict in the story is

person vs. self, so I would conclude that Victor is also the antagonist in the story. He seems to be working against himself.

Supporting Characters: Michael Torres, Victor’s best friend Theresa, Victor’s crush Mr. Bueller, Victor’s French teacher

Characteristics of the Protagonist Victor is a seventh-grade, Mexican-American

boy from California. He can be described as a little shy and awkward, self-conscious, yet very determined to do what it takes to accomplish his goal.

Include a picture to help us visualize your character.

First Main Event

Use complete sentences to fully describe this part of the story.

Include a picture that helps us to visualize this event.

Second Main Event

Use complete sentences to fully describe this part of the story.

Include a picture that helps us to visualize this event.

Third Main Event

Use complete sentences to fully describe this part of the story.

Include a picture that helps us to visualize this event.

Fourth Main Event

Use complete sentences to fully describe this part of the story.

Include a picture that helps us to visualize this event.

Resolution- End of the Book

Use complete sentences to fully describe this part of the story.

Include a picture that helps us to visualize this event.

Evaluation Use complete sentences to answer the

following questions:

1. Did you like the book? 2. Explain why you either did or did not like the book.3. Would you recommend the book?4. Explain why you would or would not recommend the book.

Favorite Part of the Book

What was your favorite part of the book and why?