1.27.2011
Use Visual Aids in Your Classroom to Generate Excitement
Post visual aids in your classroom to get students interested and curious about the next novel or unit you'll be reading/studying. As you read, add to your display by posting pictures of words your students are unfamiliar with. Better yet, allow them to find pictures of the words they may be unfamiliar with and have them create a visual display while you are reading a novel or story. Using examples (and having them be a part of the selection of materials for display) helps generate excitement and interest for the material.
If the novel you are reading has fan sites, an official page, games related to it, or the author has a page, let your students explore those sites. Be careful about spoilers, however, as you don't want to give anything away before they've read it.
Great sites for The Hunger Games trilogy include:
http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/index.htm - Scholastic's Hunger Games page includes informative and interesting videos from Suzanne Collins, games, downloadable badges and pictures, and more.
http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/ - Suzanne Collins' official website with biography and many reviews of her popular books.
http://thehungergames.wikia.com/wiki/The_Hunger_Games_Wiki - The Hunger Games Wiki is packed with information (and spoilers) about the trilogy. Includes pictures, character bios, summaries, and more.
http://www.hungergamestrilogy.com/fansite/ - The Hunger Games Trilogy Fansite was one of the first fan sites for the novel. They have up-to-the-date information on the upcoming movie and feature extensive fan forums and even a fun Hunger Games badge maker.
http://mockingjay.net/ - Mockingjay.net is unique from other fan sites because they post podcasts (the Jabberjays) that can be easily shared with your students. In fact, allow students to listen to a few, then make their own.
http://www.hungergamestrilogy.net/ - The Hunger Games Trilogy.net is another fan site that offers up-to-date information in an eye-appealing layout. They have many giveaways, posted videos, music, art, and so much more.
http://mockingjay.co.uk/index.php - Props to UK's Mockingjay.co.uk website for launching their site last year loaded with tons of information in their online encyclopedia. You can also grab a movie release countdown from their site, as well.
I have links posted to the right with other great fan sites, as well. My Hunger Games CD contains many of the pictures displayed in my examples.
I took the photos of these visual aides from my classroom. Some I had framed and keep up year-round. I made the magnets using super-strong ceramic disc magnets (The Magnet Source is a great online dealer) and glued the image to the disc. Seal it with clear glaze so the image doesn't fade. They are wonderful for white boards and strong enough to hold up posters.
1.26.2011
Thursday Round Up Time! Teacher 2 Teacher Sale
It's Thursday Round Up time! Find great sales on teaching materials now through Saturday on the new Teacher 2 Teacher blog! This week I have my Literature Activities bundle on sale: $2 off the regular price. Includes over 100 pages of materials to use in your classroom.
Some of the activities include: Facebook Character Sketch, Character Tags (Includes Twilight, Glee, Simpsons, and more), Vocabulary Scattergories, Creative Activities for ANY Novel, Introduction to English Class Powerpoint, and so much more!
1.25.2011
March 23, 2012!!!!
So, we still have a little over a year (423 days to be exact) until The Hunger Games is released in the theaters, but at least we have a target date now! And I can finally change my Mockingjay countdown on my school website to a Hunger Games movie countdown!
Read the full story in Entertainment Weekly here: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/01/25/hunger-games-release-date/
So here was my old countdown:
And my new one, changed today:
1.24.2011
Mockingjay Review Trivia Game: Jeopardy Style
I posted a new product today: my Mockingjay review games. They are fun Powerpoints in Jeopardy® style format and ask questions about the characters, events, symbols, and literary elements from the novel. All the questions are taken from my final exam (some reworded), so it's a great review for the test, or something to use at a book or reading event or trivia night (wouldn't an all Hunger Games or all literature trivia night be the best!?). This package includes 2 separate Powerpoints, both 25 questions each. Round two is slightly harder than round one.
These are included on my shipped Mockingjay CD and the Trilogy 3-pack.
1.22.2011
Liam Hemsworth Confirms He's Read 'The Hunger Games' Script: 'It's Super Dark'
Liam Hemsworth Confirms He's Read 'The Hunger Games' Script: 'It's Super Dark'
Could we have a possible Peeta here?? Click on the link to MTV's movie news and watch the interview for yourself.
He can't stop smiling when he's asked specifically about the role of Peeta. Looks like he knows more than he's letting on...
Could we have a possible Peeta here?? Click on the link to MTV's movie news and watch the interview for yourself.
He can't stop smiling when he's asked specifically about the role of Peeta. Looks like he knows more than he's letting on...
Hunger Games Pencils Make Perfect Prizes
The Hunger Games-inspired pencils are fun, inexpensive, and last longer than candy! |
Let's face it, as teachers we'll pretty much do anything to motivate our students to do their best. It's amazing what a little piece of chocolate or Jolly Rancher® candy can do to inspire greatness in a 15-year-old boy. One of my favorites is giving out "Smartie Pants" awards using Smarties® candy. But buying candy can add up (unless you stock up right after a holiday) and it's not really a healthy choice.
Using homework coupons or free homework late passes are good, but what if they use it on an assignment you really wanted them to practice? A better alternative might be a coupon to drop their lowest homework assignment score; they still have to practice the skill, but get a break if they don't do well on one of them.
Katniss Everdeen-inspired pencils |
Forget Team Edward or Jacob...I'm Team Katniss! |
Peeta Mellark-inspired pencils |
Some past pencils I've done that were big hits included Twilight themed "Team Edward" and "Team Jacob", "I Drive Like a Cullen," and "Mrs. Cullen"; To Kill a Mockingbird themed "Hey Boo," and "Bob Ewell Fell on His Knife," and The Tragedy of Julius Caesar inspired "Beware the Ides of March" and "Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar."
Rue & Thresh tribute pencils |
The Hunger Games
Hunger Games Tribute
I Survived The Hunger Games
Hunger Games Victory Tour
Catching Fire
District 12 Survivor
Mockingjay
District 13 Rebel
Catching Fire-themed pencils |
Real or Not Real? Real.
Katniss: The Girl On Fire
Peeta: The Boy With The Bread
Peeta's Final Defense (On a camouflage pencil)
Rue: District 11 Tribute
Thresh: District 11 Tribute
Team Katniss: Hunger Games
Team Peeta: Hunger Games
Team Gale: Hunger Games
Mockingjay-themed pencils |
Here's Some Advice: Stay Alive
As Charming as a Dead Slug
There were some I wanted to make but couldn't because of the 30-character length restriction (such as "May the odds be ever in your favor"). And these are the ones I have on order: "Still Betting On You" and "Always." I also want to do one for Prim & Buttercup. Buttercup's will probably read, "Buttercup: World's Ugliest Cat." I'd like to try to fit Boggs's quote, "We just saw Finnick Odair in his underpants" so I've been playing around with something like "As Impressive as Finnick in His Undies" but that is still too long. Any suggestions?? Post below if you do!
Miscellaneous literature-inspired pencils |
But how would I store that many pencils?
If you buy these pencils in bulk like I do, you'll need to store them somewhere. Those who know me know that I have a hard time throwing away things. Surely everything can be recycled in some form, right!? One of the best pencil holders I've found is from recycling my CD cake boxes/spindles. Since I go through a lot of blank CDs, these are great for storing pencils or bookmarks or using them as a "hat" (as in "drawing a number out of a hat"). And the actual spindle itself can serve as a handy-dandy ring toss game if paired with a roll of masking tape (which most teachers have access to!). You can use the "ring toss" as an added element in your test-review games. If a student answers a question correctly, they get a chance to toss the ring for a bonus point. Make it harder using a smaller roll of tape or make them stand further back. It is harder than you think and you may have to tape the spindle to the floor or weigh it down with a paperweight so it doesn't tip as easily.
Recycle your old CD/DVD cake boxes... |
The CD/DVD cake box: It's the perfect size for storing large quantities of pencils! |
And don't forget the spindle: Add a roll of tape & you've got an instant game of ring toss! |
All of my shipped items come with a themed pencil. If you have a special request, email me to let me know. Each order of The Hunger Games Trilogy Teaching Unit CDs receives a set of 3 pencils. (UPDATED NOTE: Because orientaltrading.com raised their prices on the pencils, I haven't been able to include these with recent CD orders. I also found they sometimes damage the CD case.)
The Hunger Games Trilogy-themed pencils |
1.20.2011
Teacher 2 Teacher: Thursday Round Up #1!
Teacher 2 Teacher: Thursday Round Up #1!: "Welcome to the very first TpT Thursday Round Up! The Thursday Round Up is a collection of TpT products, all from different sellers and all o..."
1.17.2011
Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life by Making Today a Day of Service to Others
January 17, 2011: In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life of service to others, what could you do for someone in need?
I asked students what they could do for a person in need and many of them struggled coming up with ideas. Why? It can't be that they don't know anyone in need; now, more than ever, people are struggling to make ends meet.
I ruled out that they didn't have anyone modeling the behavior–all around us are volunteers, parents, teachers, and so many others who go above and beyond for others with no desire for personal gain.
So why couldn't they think of things to do for someone else? Their reason was that they never have time, so they don't think about doing something for someone else. Their lives are too busy! They are in too many extra-curriculars! They barely have time for homework! These were some of their responses. But, then I asked why they were able to make time for Facebook, or computer/video games, or texting their friends. Of course, their response was they have to have some time for themselves!
Does this sound familiar? How much time does today's teenager give back to his/her community? I thought back to my high school days and realized we did a lot for our community with nothing in return. Nor did we expect anything in return. It seems that today's child has to get something back–practically be bribed–in order to serve others. The class that donates the most canned goods for the local food pantry gets a pizza party! or Donate the most winter clothing and have your name in a drawing for a Playstation 3! and Help rake leaves for the elderly & we'll go rollerskating afterward!
I remember raking leaves for the elderly. We didn't go anywhere afterward, we didn't get paid, and we certainly didn't charge money as a group to perform the service. I also remember my peers and I getting in trouble for accepting a pop one time because that was a form of "payment." If we hadn't opened it and drank it, we would have had to return it. And looking back, that made sense. We were doing something out of kindness, not because we wanted something in return.
Are today's teens too busy today with scheduled activities to even make time for service? How will children ever learn how to give if they don't practice it? Does it need to be scheduled into their day as a mandatory activity? And if so...Why should we have to make service to others a required activity? Doesn't that defeat its purpose? If it becomes required, it's no longer something they are doing because they choose to and want to. It's because they have to. And that makes it a chore and something they may loathe the rest of their lives.
So I just left the thought of serving others in my students' heads as they left for their three-day weekend. I asked them to think of what they could do for others. Even something simple, small. And to think about who needs help the most in our community. Because if they are thinking of it, then perhaps they will do something for someone else–not because they have to and not because I told them to. But because they want to.
UPDATED Classroom Connection: Here's a freebie you can download for MLK day or use when reading/studying any of his speeches. Martin Luther King, Jr. Free Lesson Download
1.13.2011
My Updated Map of Panem, The Hunger Games Trilogy
Newly updated map using information from www.thecapitol.pn |
When we finished reading Mockingjay, my students and I realized that our maps of Panem needed adjustments.
Map of Panem - Tracee Orman - created Jan. 2011 |
Even though I do feel confident about my rationale regarding the districts, still I question the exact placement of districts on my map. For starters, what does Panem look like? We know the landmass of North America has changed due to "encroaching seas that swallowed up so much of the land" (THG p. 18). So any map is pure speculation based on what we think the oceans have devoured and the war and disasters left untouched. I tried to place my districts in areas that I believe would still be above sea level, however.
And I do believe that as far as landmass goes, the districts are going to be relatively small. District 12 was the smallest, with roughly 8,000 people. District 11 was one of the largest, but probably not larger than 100,000 or so. We have to remember that much of humanity had been wiped out after the natural and man-made disasters and brutal war. And logistically, there's not the means or manpower to sustain a much larger population, nor to create and maintain thousands of miles of fencing around each district. (And they are all fenced in. So, I'm pretty sure they didn't build these Great Walls of China there.) Therefore, the districts are represented as dots rather than having large territorial borders.
Another map with District 1 closer to Vegas. |
*As of 8-31-11, I've updated my descriptions to include NEW information from www.TheCapitol.pn about each district. The graph below shows the industries by district. I had all correct except #6; #5 and #9 were mixed around (I had #9 as power & #5 as grain). I also used information from the district seals, as referenced in this blog post.
A list of the district industries! TheCapitol.pn |
District 1 - Luxury: District 1 produces luxury items for the Capitol. But Katniss also mentions diamond mining. Canada is a much more realistic location for diamond mining than the U.S. I placed it in its current location, near Calgary because this area seems to have a richer source of diamond mining nearby, plus it's not too far away from civilization. My second choice would be the L.A., California area or perhaps even Las Vegas. TheCapitol.pn released the district 1 seal with a castle on it. I can't think of any places in North America with castles, except the glitzy kind in L.A..
District 2 - Masonry: After reading Mockingjay, I believe district 2 is near Colorado Springs. We learn that it is presented as the nation's stone quarries (masonry), but in fact produces weapons and trains Peacekeepers. This area of Colorado is not only home to the Air Force Academy, but also to Lockheed-Martin, which would have the capability to produce high-tech weaponry. I think NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), which lies within Cheyenne Mountain just outside Colorado Springs, served as a model for the “Nut” of district 2, which was the Capitol’s center for defense. Every description of the Nut (like the avalanche paths running down the side and the entrances that are set deep within the mountain - p. 201-202, MJ) seem to also describe NORAD/Cheyenne Mountain.There's also a comment mentioning that district 2 is actually several little villages/settlements. Colorado ski towns in the vicinity seem to gel with this location for me.
District 3 - Technology: CF’s Beetee and Wiress reign from district 3, as did the boy who wires the launch mines to protect the Career supplies in THG. They are described with almost an Asian look, and extremely smart, especially with electronics, wires, and any sort of technology (CF p. 226). Their district bread is square-shaped, like a computer chip. It makes sense that they would reside from Silicon Valley (San Jose/San Francisco Bay area). Another idea was Arizona, which has a rich supply of copper mines for wire production. One thing makes me question these locations, however: Katniss mentions that district 3 also makes automobiles. Perhaps district 3 is actually in Mexico?
District 4 - Fishing: Because fishing is district 4’s industry and its bread is seaweed-tinted, its logical location is near the ocean. I previously thought the Gulf of Mexico was a plausible place for district 4, but the more I thought about the damage to sea life in the Gulf (even before the oil spill, there’s a dead zone in the Gulf–a lack of oxygen to sustain aquatic life–caused by a run-off of nitrogen and phosphorous from the Mississippi River. Fertilizers used in farming is one of the biggest contributors; sewer and animal waste is another). Another consideration is the characteristics of Finnick: he is not entirely dark complected, has bronze-colored hair, and sea-green eyes (CF p. 212). If he were native to a warm climate, his skin would naturally be darker. Sure, he could be an exception. But all the other district people (who are physically described) have very distinct looks based on their region (like Chaff and Seeder, who are from 11, with brown eyes. "Only her golden brown eyes mark her from another district." CF p. 214). So I looked further north for a plausible area for 4. The New England area is out because Katniss specifically says there is nothing past district 12 except the district 13 ruins and wilderness (THG p. 83). So I looked into the Pacific side and decided the Seattle/Vancouver area would be the best location for the fishing industry. I've decided to go with my first instincts and switch district 4 to Mexico. But NOT the Gulf side. It makes more sense to place it on the Baja side. I think (even before the oil spill) the "dead zone" farmers have caused in the Gulf with their chemical run-offs has been too damaging for sustaining the sea life.
Panem - Sept. 2010 - Tracee Orman |
District 6 - Transportation: So, I originally thought district 6 was the producer of pharmaceuticals. Even though we now know it is transportation, I still contend the location needs to be in the East (which works for transportation) because Bonnie & Twill jump off the train leaving district 8 on its way to 6, then walk the rest of the way to 12 (CF, p. 146). I have 8 near Chicago. Chicago is also a big transportation-hub city, so 8 and 6 could still be near my originally placed locations. Washington D.C., home to Amtrak and Union Station seems plausible, as well. My only drawback is that Katniss says there isn't anything beyond district 12. So, I believe because of its proximity to Detroit (Motor City, baby!), Toledo, Ohio, seems logical to me. It is a transportation haven that runs along three major interstate highways, has mass transit bus services, and provides passenger railway service via Amtrak. I also thought Cleveland would be a good city for district 6, but since Toledo was just a bit closer to Detroit, I went with it. Update: The district 6 poster reveals the two major forms of transportation for district 6 as trains and hovercrafts (I think it's a hovercraft in the picture, anyway). And district 3 supposedly makes cars (referenced in THG), so I think I might need to adjust the location of 6 to the D.C. area. Which means 12 probably has to go a little further south than where I have it.
District 7 - Lumber: Lumber is district 7’s industry. While in America the Pacific Northwest seems ideal, I think in Panem, the Capitol would look for the area with the most to strip and exploit for as long as possible. Therefore, the plentiful forests in Canada might be more plausible. Ontario has the best mix of deciduous and conifers that would be necessary to sustain the Capitol’s needs. Yet, British Columbia's towering forests is a very close second for the location of district 7. OK, I've gone back to my old opinion of the Pacific Northwest for district 7. It just feels right to place it there.
District 8 - Textiles: Textile manufacturing. Parts of Chicago fit the description of a place with all buildings and little to no grass. It also has numerous textile manufacturers, "chilly" weather, and is a reasonable distance from district 12 for Bonnie and Twill to travel to.
District 9 - Grain: Katniss said one of the districts had stinky refineries (CF, p. 71), and she wasn't referring to district 8. I grew up in the Midwest near corn sweetener and cereal factories that stink! So my NEW guess is that district 9 is near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is/was home to ADM Corn Sweeteners, Quaker Oats, National Oats, and General Mills factories. Anyone who has driven through CR (and you can include Clinton, Iowa into the mix, as well) knows how badly it smells. Because Kansas and North Dakota both lead the nation in wheat production, Iowa is located close enough to both states to refine wheat, as well as utilizing its own corn production, as well (which IS a grain, though many seem to think it's a vegetable).
This district was, perhaps, the hardest to place. We don't get to know any tributes from nine except the boy from the 74th Games who grabbed the orange backpack the same time as Katniss, then is killed by Clove. In CF, there isn't even a mention of district 9 except that both tributes die the first day. She only mentions the fields of wheat in Catching Fire once when they were on the victory tour going from district to district: "...fields of wheat, stinking refineries." It doesn't seem to be in order, though, because she mentions a "glimpse of the sea" (district 4), then "towering forests" (district 7), "ugly factories" (not sure which one...could be 3, 8, or 10 perhaps), then the wheat (which we know is 9) and stinking refineries (which must be either 3, 8, or 10, as well because then they go to districts 1 and 2 after this and they were already in district 11). So, which district would most likely have refineries? Ugly factories? (I say district 8 the ugly factories; perhaps district 3 has metal refineries?)
District 10 - Livestock: Livestock/Cattle production. I believe Texas seems to be the leader in cattle/beef production; the location I chose is King Ranch, near Corpus Cristi, which is one of the world’s largest ranches. My second choice would be Missouri or Kansas, since we have to consider the need for dairy production, as well.
District 11 - Agriculture: We know district 11 is one of the largest districts and it produces food for Panem. Rue worked in the orchards and Katniss commented on how much warmer it was than district 12. Georgia is known for its peaches and would be warmer than the West Virginia/Appalachian Mountain area of district 12, so I placed it in the city of Atlanta. Besides, doesn't this look like the description of district 11's justice building (with its covered terraces)?
District 12 - Mining: Industry is coal and location is within the Appalachian Mountain range. It does have cold winters, so West Virginia seems to fit for the location. Plus, it works with the location of district 13. Note: The movie is filmed in North Carolina; perhaps District 12 is just a little bit further southeast. The area around West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina seems ideal.
Panem - June 2010 - T.Orman |
*How to cite this source:
Orman, Tracee. "My Updated Map of Panem, The Hunger Games Trilogy." Hunger Games Lessons. Blogger. 13 Jan. 2011. Web. [Add today's date or date you accessed information here.] <http://www.hungergameslessons.com/2011/01/my-updated-map-of-panem-hunger-games.html>--------------------------------------------
Classroom Materials
You can purchase the 25-page activity packet for your students here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hunger-Games-Trilogy-Map-of-Panem-Arena-and-Capitol-ActivitiesIt includes handouts for each book in the trilogy, sample maps of Panem, and arena and Capitol map projects.
This activity is included in my Hunger Games trilogy shipped CD and Mockingjay shipped CD. Unfortunately, it is too large to fit in my other units or in the digital download units.
References are to the Hunger Games trilogy series by author Suzanne Collins, published by Scholastic Press.
The Hunger Games (Book 1)
©2008, ISBN 978-0-439-02352-1
Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)
©2009, ISBN 978-0-439-02349-1
Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games)
©2010, ISBN 978-0-439-02351-1
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