Language+Arts+Activities

= = =I. **Reading Historical Fiction:**= The following novels will be used: //Seed of Hope: The Gold Rush Diary of Susanna Fairchild// by Kristiana Gregroy; //The Ballad of Lucy Whipple// by Karen Cushman; //Saddles, Stars and Stripes:Blackwater Creek// by Deborah Kent; //Away to the Goldfield// by Pat Derby. Students will be divided into four literature circle groups.Each person in the group will be assigned a job for the group. The jobs will rotate daily.

At the end of the book, the students will create a play based on the major points from the book. The play will be performed and video-taped. =II**. Video Diary**:= Students will research the NC Gold Rush. They will take on the persona of a person, animal, or object from this era and create a video diary entitled "A Day in the life of..." The student must have at least five entries. =III. **Travel Brochure:**= After studying tone, mood, and persuasive techniques, students will create a travel brochure for one of the gem mines in North Carolina.