Literature Study: Assessments and Projects Each student in 6th grade will be reading The Well of Sacrifice by Chris Eboch. It is a wonderful adventure story set in a Mayan city and offers one explanation of why the Maya people seemed to disappear overnight. During this literature study, each student will be expected to read the book and accomplish certain tasks and assessments.

Must Do:1. read The Well of Sacrifice and keep a reading log 2. answer comprehension questions that follow the story 3. written summary for each chapter of the book

Choice: (Choose two of the following activities to complete)1. Make a vocabulary crossword puzzle. There are online

applications to do this and I can assist you with these. 2. Make a mobile for the book vocabulary words. It should look

Mayan, but the organization of the mobile is your choice. 3. Draw and color (or paint) a picture showing evidences of

Mayan culture. This may include religious ceremonies, ball games or other aspects of the Mayan life and culture.

4. Complete a report on the author, Chris Eboch. 5. Make a book jacket (front and back) including: title and

picture on the front, author information on the inside and summary of the book on the back.

Must Do:1. Create a diary. There must be at least five entries. Choose

one character from the book in order to write the diary entries from that character’s point of view. Choice: (Choose two of the following activities to complete)

1. Make a model of a Mayan temple. 2. Make a headdress that a Mayan priest may have worn. 3. Write a “how-to” essay on how to play the Mayan ball game

discussed in the book. 4. Create a comic strip depicting on scene from the book where

Evening Star’s couraMust Do:

1. create a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting Evening Star and Feather Dawn. Choice: (Choose two of the following activities to complete)

1. Write an explanation of Feather Dawn’s feelings toward her sister. Explain why she has those feelings towards Evening Star.

2. Write an interview (with you as the reporter) of Evening Star. Find a friend to play the role of Evening Star and video tape your interview. I will have a camcorder available for this project. However, you must have the interview questions and responses written and rehearsed BEFORE I will bring in the camcorder!

3. Chart and analyze the character traits of Evening Star, Smoke Shell, Blue Quetzal, Feather Dawn and Great Skull Hero.

4. Write an essay, discussing and analyzing the “pros” and “cons” of the bravery and courage Evening Star shows throughout the book.

of the following writing activities to complete)1. Invent/Design a new game that the Maya people could have

played. Explain the rules of the game and how to play. 2. Write a descriptive essay about a new “Coming of Age”

ceremony that would be appropriate for children that live in our times and culture. Choice: Projects (Choose on the following projects to complete)

1. Create and build a model of a Mayan city including the temple.

2. Create a shadow box or diorama of a scene from The Well of Sacrifice.

Must Do: 1. Write a critique of The Well of Sacrifice including a

recommendation to other people on why they should or should not read this book.Choice: (Choose two of the following activities to complete)

1. Imagine Evening Star has been put on trial for her actions. You are the judge she must face in the courtroom. Write a judgment including the punishment that Evening Star will receive. Video tape yourself handing down your judgment to Evening Star. The same rules will apply for videotaping as said earlier in your instructions.

2. You are the defense lawyer defending Evening Star. Write your “closing arguments” to convince a jury that Evening Star is innocent of the crimes of which she is being charged. Video tape yourself delivering your closing arguments. The same rules will apply for videotaping as said earlier in your instructions.

3. Write an essay using the Core Democratic Values defending Evening Star’s actions throughout the book.

4. Write a song either summarizing the The Well of Sacrifice or about Mayan culture. There will be Meso-American/Latin American instruments available for you to use. Videotape yourself (and others if they will be helping you perform the music) singing the song you have written. This will take a lot of practice to do. The same rules apply for videotaping as said earlier in your instruction.

Do:1. Each student will produce a newspaper that includes nine

articles they have written about The Well of Sacrifice and/or Mayan culture. You will have each Friday to research and work on your newspaper in Microsoft Publisher.