Last week, I started an ambitious project with a group of 5th graders. As part of this project, these 5th graders would create their own town--giving it a name, making up rules, and acting as members of the town. However, they would have to do it all in English.
Last Thursday, we began phase one of this project. Students brainstormed a list of possible names. We had everything from Donkeytown to Sweetland. Sweetland was originally Candyland, but some of the students thought it sounded to similar to another student's name. After an intense vote, it came down to Sweetland.
As part of phase two, students had to describe the town. I discovered that:
- Sweetland has crops made out of sweets.
- All the furniture is made out of sweets.
- There is an apple palace.
- One of the students wanted to live in Healthy House.
- There is a Desert of Desserts.
- The houses in Sweetland are made of gingerbread.
- The pool is made of jello.
- etc...
This week, we started by drawing a map of Sweetland. Students had to tell me (in English) where these things were located--to the left or to the right; next to or near; etc.
Here is what they created:
Next, we began to make a list of the people who live in Sweetland. It was quite extensive so I'll just summarize a little.
- 3 teachers
- 17 children
- 1 king
- 1 witch
- 1 superhero named Super Sweet
- 3 pilots
- 1 firefighter
- 7 students
- 3 lifeguards
Each student had to pick one person to be their character. Then, they started their descriptions. We'll finish up our descriptions next week, and then they'll assume their role.
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