"The Raft" by S.A. Bodeen Webquest

Introduction

The Raft

You are going to step into the shoes of Robie, the main character, in The Raft. You need to understand where you are when you crashed and figure out how to survive until you are rescued at sea. 

Task

Pre-Reading Task:

Your task is to understand where Robie was when she left her Aunt's condo in Honolulu and where she was going. To do this, you and your partner will need to print and locate both places on the map provided. Your second task together is to define, understand, and illustrate six teacher-provided vocabulary words. 

Your last task will be completed individually. You will write one paragraph describing how you would survive if this was you.  

Process

With your partner, complete the following:

1. Location:

  1. Print the map at http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SQq7mqYD3JY/TF-YuTet32I/AAAAAAAADZM/t4GuLvHmN…
  2. Locate Honolulu (where she left and her Aunt lived)
  3. Locate Midway Islands (where she lived with her parents and was going to by plane)
  4. Understand the distance between the two places

2. Define six vocabulary words to build your knowledge using dictionary.com:

  1. biologist
  2. turbulance
  3. nose-diving
  4. barrage
  5. pummel
  6. floatation device

(Write & create this chart on the back of the map.*Remember - your chart should include the word, the definition, and an illustration showing that you understand)

On your own, use a sheet of notebook paper and write a paragraph describing how you might feel if this was you. What would hope to have in a backpack that you found floating in the water from the wreckage? How would you survive? Describe this situation in at least 5 detailed sentences.

Evaluation

Partnered pre-reading vocabulary chart will be evaluated on the following rubric:

Completed Assignment

1

2

3

4

Pair (2 students) creates a vocabulary chart

Students do not create a complete the chart as assigned.

Students slightly create and complete the vocabulary chart. Includes: less than 4 teacher-provided vocabulary words from the YA novel, less than 4 definitions, and an illustration for less than 4 words showing understanding.

Students mostly create and complete the vocabulary chart. Includes: 4-5 teacher-provided vocabulary words from the YA novel, 4-5 definitions, and an illustration for 4-5 words showing understanding.

Students create and complete the vocabulary chart. Includes: 6 teacher-provided vocabulary words from the YA novel, each of the 6 definitions, and an illustration for all 6 words showing understanding.

Grammar and spelling

Student has many errors and the chart is difficult to read and/or understand.

Student has some grammatical and/or convention errors.

Student has a few grammatical and/or convention errors.

Student has virtually no errors.

Individual writing will be evaluated on the following rubric:

Completed Assignment

1

2

3

4

Student writes one paragraph

Student does not write a complete paragraph, nor do they include detailed sentences on topic.

Student writes one paragraph with 4-5 sentences. The student stays on topic a little and only includes a few of the details that were asked.

Student writes one paragraph with 4-5 sentences. The student stays mostly on topic and includes most details that were asked.

Student writes one complete paragraph with 5 or more detailed sentences. The student keeps the purpose and focus on describing how they would feel in this situation, what they would hope to have with them, and how they would survive.

Grammar and spelling

Student has many errors and the paper is difficult to read and/or understand.

Student has some grammatical and/or convention errors.

Student has a few grammatical and/or convention errors.

Student has virtually no errors.
Conclusion

The Raft

Now that you have completed the assignments through a webquest,you're prepared to read The Raft.

It is a 2014-2015 Sunshine State book. This book was suspensful and great to read.

For those of you who have read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and enjoyed it, you will enjoy this book too.

It is in the perspective of a girl and involves a tragic accident and her survival. 

To read more about the book or the author, visit http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/raft-0#cart/cleanup

Credits
Teacher Page

When teaching sixth grade intensive language arts and reading, it can be tricky to find newer YA novels to use with the whole class as a read aloud or in small group / literature circles. Students typically enjoy Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, but so many are reading it in elementary school, that is not used or chosen as often. I found that this 2014-2015 Sunshine State book for grades 6-8, was a great, suspenseful read and similar to Hatchet. I feel that students enjoy this and the twist towards the end even left me in awe. 

Standards:

3-5 standards...

LAFS.6.RL.2.4.

The student will determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.

LAFS.6.RL.2.5

The Student will analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.

LAFS.6.SL.1.1

The student will engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

LAFS.6.L.3.4.

The student will determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

LAFS.6.W.2.4.

The student will produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.