Extremely Outrageous Sports

A WebQuest for 7th Grade (Language Arts)

Mary Ann Mazza

                                  mazza.m@woodstown.org		 Bungee Jumper

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

What is the most outrageous sporting experience you've ever had? Have you ever wondered why people get involved in extreme sports?  Athletes often look back to their childhoods for an experience that spurred them on to select a specialty. The book, How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulsen, is a memoir of some of the outrageous stunts Gary and his friends did while growing up. What would the future bring for the boys if one turned out to be a professional athlete?

Task

After reading the book, select one of the boys besides Gary and the actual sport that the boys were imitating. Project your character into the future as a world class competitor in the extreme sport you have selected. Write an epilogue to the book that describes this character 15 years into the future. Include an appropriate illustration. Your epilogue should be at least  500 words long.



Process

  1. After reading the book, you must select which character and sport  to use for the project. You may want to quickly scan the book to refresh your memory. Write a brief rationale for your selection. Be specific as this may help you in writing your epilogue later.
  2. Writers use their imaginations but also research to gain understanding of a subject.  Use the links below to learn more about your selected sport. Take notes and put them on your organizer. Click here for an extra copy.
Speed Skiing Extreme Ski Snow Sport Speedski Racing
http://www.speedski.com/
Welcome to the U.S. Hang Gliding Association
http://www.ushga.org/

BMX Bike Stunts
http://www.bmxstunts.com/

Skateboard Science
http://www.exploratorium.edu/skateboarding/

Bungee Jumping
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungee_jumping

     3.  Based on this information, decide how your character is involved in the sport as an adult. Prepare an outline that contains this information. You may use Inspiration or Word to do your outline.  Your outline should be as detailed as you need it to be; however, it must contain all the plot points that will be included in your epilogue.

     4.  Write your first draft, remembering to include as many specific details as you can.  Make your character come alive. Use dialogue and descriptions. Use peer editing time  wisely. Revise, revise, revise!

     5.  Put your finished project with either an original illustration or one that you have found from the internet (properly cited) on a Word document. Post it to the class blog. You may chose to read your ending to the class for extra credit.


Evaluation

You will receive class grades for the organizer and your outline. Your final project will be graded using the following rubric. You may earn 5 extra credit points by reading your story to the class.

Beginning

1

Developing

2

Accomplished

3

Exemplary

4

Score

 

Consistency with the Original

 

 No relationship between character of the future and the one in the book.
 Minimal relationship between character of the future and the one in the book. Some relationship between character of the future and the one in the book. Strong relationship between character of the future and the one in the book.

 

Creativity

 

 Nonexistent use of descriptors and  dialogue. Minimal use of descriptors and  dialogue. Some use of descriptors and dialogue. Characters come alive through good use of descriptors and dialogue.

 

Spelling and Grammar

 

 Very frequent grammar and/or spelling errors.
 A few grammar and/or spelling errors.
 Only one or two errors in spelling/grammar.
 All grammar and spelling are correct.

 

Task Completion

 

 Minimal completion of the task, and/or content frequently inappropriate Partial completion of the task, content mostly appropriate, ideas are undeveloped Completion of the task, content appropriate, ideas adequately developed Superior completion of the task, content appropriate, ideas well developed and well organized.

 

Plot 

 

 No action in the plot. Minimal action in the plot.
 Some action in the plot. Superior plot action. Things happen!

Conclusion



You are now a published author! You've written a  work of fiction based on an actual sport you have researched.  You've gone through a process to help you overcome any writer's block you may have encountered.  Be proud of your accomplishments.
Here are some sites that may help you in future writing projects as well as some just for fun.

Creative Writing for Teens
http://teenwriting.about.com/

TeenLit
http://www.teenlit.com/

EXPN.com
http://expn.go.com/expn/index

the Extreme Sports channel
http://www.extreme.com/

All Extreme Sports
http://www.allextremesports.com/

Credits & References

Foto search Stock Photography and Stock Footage
Royalty Free Images
http://www.fotosearch.com

Paulsen, Gary. How Angel Peterson got His Name. New York: Dell Yearling. 2004.


Thanks to  The WebQuest Page and the Design Patterns page for the template used.


"We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL."

Last updated March 6, 2006. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page