This week, I worked on my math, because I had a math NVOL test this week! I used Khan Academy to study for the test, which was about ratios, fractions, taxes, and percentages. I also worked on an NVOL video for my science 8 class (more information down below). Then, I watched a video about Newton’s fractal, which was really interesting (again, more info down below). Then, I tried making a Minecraft server, and it worked! Now I can play with my friends.
Next week, I’m planning on learning more about fractals. I’m also planning on learning about the Renaissance a little bit more because my teacher suggested that I learn about it. And of course, I’m going to finish up my video and work on my Minecraft server.
Hi Ethan,
Thank you for sharing your short story summary! I think you’ve written it very well, and it was a good idea to use the steps from the guide you used. You did a great job of following the instructions precisely. There’s no one definitive way to write a summary, but this way works well. I hadn’t read “Through the Tunnel” before but practically had a heart attack reading it just now; it seemed so likely that he would drown. You really nailed it by describing it as “ominous”. I don’t think your summary guide mentioned describing the tone of the piece, but it’s an important thing to include, as you did. Noting what about the setting made it ominous was a particularly good detail to include. If there is a particular tone, or particular symbolism, or something that’s critical to a story, it’s a good idea to mention it in a summary. This is an excellent summary for a grade 8 assignment, (especially for a first time!). I would definitely add an introductory sentence that mentions the name of the short story and the author’s name. E.g. “In Doris Lessing’s short story “Through the Tunnel”, about a boy who challenges himself to a dangerous feat, the key message is that….” There are some minor grammar edits I’d make too (e.g. it’s generally best to avoid starting sentences with “So” and “But”, although there are some exceptions to that rule), and if you want to use a summing-up phrase to begin the final paragraph you could say something like “In conclusion” rather than “So”. Your concluding paragraph works well and is a good overall summary, and I think it could probably be improved by adding a little to it to make it also re-state (in slightly different words so you’re not copying your earlier sentence) the main message you shared at the beginning. Great work!!
I’m curious how you chose the story. Doris Lessing was a great choice! If you’d like to tackle another short story, “Borders” by Thomas King is a good one.
Thank you for sharing about the rest of your week as well. I think it’s great that you sought out more resources on taxes after realizing you found it to be trickier than other math concepts. Are you feeling more comfortable with tax now, or are you still looking for resources? I found the idea of Newton’s Fractal fascinating; thank you for sharing about that!
Making a video of your osmosis science lab sounds amazing, and it sounds like you put a lot of effort into it. I know you like to film yourself sharing your work sometimes, and I bet that this process helps you reflect on your learning. Do you find making videos reinforces what you’ve learned?
Thank you for your story summary and Observing for Learning!
Best,
Shannon
This is the short story summary that you recommended I do. Can you review it please?
Link to the story:
This is the article that I followed to write my summary.
http://learnonpoint.com/blog/writing-a-summary-of-a-short-story
The main message is that it’s not good to be influenced to do something by your friends if you think it’s unhealthy/could Kill you. But also, it’s about trying new things and being brave.
The setting of the story is next to a beach, with sharp rocks and cliffs where people can dive off of. There is also a big rock. The setting really makes the challenge ominous, because there might be spikes under the rock and there is so much mystery.
The main character(s) is Jerry, who is 11, and likes to swim a lot.
First, Jerry meets these boys who don’t speak English and also love swimming. Jerry is invited to join them.
Then, Jerry notices that these boys are diving off a rock and going under a bigger rock, and he wants to do it, but is scared he’ll drown. So, he asks his mother to get some swim goggles.
Finally, Jerry attempts the dive under the rock and panics but succeeds. He tells his mom, who is intrigued, but encourages him to stop swimming for that day.
The conflict was that Jerry wanted to follow the other boys under the rock but was too scared to follow them because he thought he would drown.
So, Jerry, who is 11, wants to swim underneath a rock underwater, because the other boys with who he made friends do it. But he’s scared that he’ll drown. So Eventually, he makes up the courage to go and try it.
Recent Comments