Literature Project #4 – Fourth Graders: A Jar of Dreams

A Jar of Dreams

Growing up in California during the Depression isn’t easy for eleven-year-old Rinko. She desperately wants to fit in and be like everyone else, but instead she is ridiculed and made to feel different because of her Japanese heritage, and the value of her own strengths and dreams, in this warm and touching story.

Literary Essay

Your assignment is to think deeply and write about some literary element of your book. It could be about the character, setting, plot, theme, or mood. Begin by developing a theory about that element. As an example, for the character, it may be about a personal characteristic, a circumstance involving him or her, a way he or she feels, or a lesson he or she has learned. What do you think? Conclude by relating your essay to yourself and/or a real-life situation.

Using the essay formula, present your theory and defend it with examples from the text. Using excerpts from the story as examples is acceptable, even encouraged.

Begin your essay with an introductory paragraph. Start this paragraph with an introduction of the book and author. Next, state your thesis (your theory) about the literary element you have chosen.

Your supporting paragraphs should detail and clarify each defense point. Here is where you can “lift” and include excerpts from the text. However, you also need to explain, in your own words, how these excerpts exemplify and defend your thesis.

Finally, finish your essay with a concluding paragraph. Here you bring your fictional story to reality. Choose one or two: How does your theory relate to you and your experiences? If you choose to select to write about the character, how is the character and you similar? Different? What lesson have you learned? Or How do you feel about the story?

Literature Project #4 – Third Graders: Leonard Calvert & The Maryland Adventure

Leonard Calvert and the Maryland Adventure

Leonard Calvert was a quiet boy who grew up in England a long time ago. At school, other boys called him a dunce and a blockhead. “Don’t listen to them,” his brother Cecil told him, and Leonard didn’t. Instead, when he was grown, Leonard went adventuring. He went to Newfoundland with his father, George Calvert, the First Lord Baltimore, and fought privateers. When hid father died and Cecil became the Second Lord Baltimore, Leonard went adventuring again. This time, he led the first colonists to settle in Maryland. It was his greatest adventure of all. Leonard was just twenty-seven years old when he became Maryland’s first governor. He faced fierce Indians, unfriendly Virginia fur traders, and plundering pirates who wanted to chase him out of Maryland and take the colony away from the Calverts. This is the story of how Leonard Calvert founded the Maryland colony and in the process proved that he was not a dunce and blockhead that some people thought he was.

Literary Essay

Your assignment is to an essay summarizing the literary elements of your book: its title & author; the main character(s); the setting; the major events in the plot, including the problem and its solution; the climax; the story’s theme; and the mood of the story.

Begin your essay with an introductory paragraph. Start this paragraph with an introduction of the book and author. Next, state what you believe to be the theme – the author’s message – and why you think so.

Your supporting paragraphs should detail the other literary elements.

In one paragraph name and describe the main character. What kind of person is s/he? Why do you think the author created this kind of personality?

In the next paragraph write about the setting. Why do you think the author chose it?

In another paragraph, discuss the plot. Tell the problem the main character faces. What happens in the beginning, middle, and end of the story? How does the character solve the problem?

Finally, finish your essay with a concluding paragraph. Discuss the mood of the story. How did the story make you feel? Or How do you feel about the story? And What important lesson did you learn from this story?

Cultural Heritage Project: Luca’s Oral Immigration Written Report -

Immigration Oral History Project:
Mr. Darren Holgate, American Immigrant

Why did people immigrate?

Sometimes people immigrate to join their loved ones in the new land. They also immigrate for good employment opportunities. A better job would lead to better living conditions.

What was their life like in their old countries?

Mr. Holgate had a very happy life in England. He had friends, and family. He had a house, a car, and a job that treated him well. The only reason he came to America was for a better job opportunity and to be closer to a loved one.

What was your journey to America like?

First time I came over was in 1997. Easy trip by plane. London direct to JFK, New York City. I came that time for a summer camp only. In 2005 I came to America permanently. This time was more difficult because they restricted us to two suitcases only. Rather difficult to fit all your belongings into two suitcases!

What were your first impressions of America like?

First time that I came over I was 19 years old (1997). It was the first time that I was that far away from home. I felt a bit homesick at first. I remember when we landed at JFK the strong smell of air conditioning. You could feel it, taste it immediately on arrival. Very different smell from England. I also remember being surrounded by tall buildings in NYC. I felt so small. I also remember all the sirens and noise about the city. It reminded me of the movies.
How did you assimilate yet maintain what is important from England?

The most important thing for me was to speak my language in a way that Americans could understand. Even though our language is the same, we have different meanings for certain words. For example I would say bin instead of trashcan or boot instead of trunk. In class it got me into a little trouble sometimes because I did not realize that a word that I could use freely in England had a bad connotation over here. I also had to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road. My clothing had to change when I moved here. Casual wear in England was very different from casual wear here in the US. You do not want to stand out too much when you come to a new country.

When did you come to the United States?

The first time was 1997 for a summer job. In 2005, I came over to the United States permanently.

How old were you when you came over?

I was 27 years old.

Why did you come over to the United States?

I came over for a job opportunity.

Can you tell me anything special you brought with you?

I brought diaries and journals that I have had since I was a teenager. I also brought letters from family and friends. I also bought clothing and my computer.

What did it feel like when you first came to America?

The first time I came I felt a little homesick due to the distance. When I first landed at J.F.K airport I remember the distinct smell of air conditioning. The smell was very different than England. You could feel it, and almost taste this strong smell. I also noticed tall buildings and lots of police sirens in N.Y.C. It seemed like the movies that I have seen of New York.

What do you miss about England?

I miss the special foods like curry, sausage pies, fish and chips, and good rolls. I also miss the ease of transportation in England. It usually takes 10-15 minutes to get from one place to another, due to a great subway system.

What do you like about America?

There is a better standard of living here. The money I earn I can do more with in America. There is more freedom on how to spend money you make here. Also, I like to be on the cutting edge of technology. I also love the hearty meals that I can eat over here (i.e. big portion size).

By Luca