Activity Title: Culminating activities for: The View from Saturday

Subject areas: Sixth Grade English


Your investigation:

You are going to join the Souls and investigate one of the themes in the novel. It is your job to examine one of the following topics and develop a paper to share with the class. Having a deeper knowledge of these areas will enhance everyone's understandi ng and enjoyment of, The View from Saturday.

Questions to guide you:

1. What are "Random Acts of Kindness"? How might you create a program using these ideas to create a more sensitive, empathetic environment in your school? What acts of kindness in the story did you find most touching?

2. How did calligraphy have a major role in Noah Gershom's life?
Research calligraphy and practice the craft. How might knowledge of calligraphy change your outlook on writing?

3. What impact did the "turtle walks" have on Nadia and Allen
Diamondstein's relationship? How can learning about turtles help the ecological balance of our planet?

4. How did the weekly tea at the Singh home change the life of all the characters? Study tea and related ceremonies that offer a special state of mind for the participants.


Sites to search:

1. "Random Acts of Kindness"
Kids Random Acts of Kindness: http://www.conari.com/Kids/index.html
Random Acts of Kindness: http://www.conari.com/Random/index.html

2. Calligraphy
Gothic letters:
http://www.catalog.com/gallery/Gothicx.html

3. Turtles:
Sea turtles: http://www.bev.net/education/SeaWorld
Turtle Trax-A Sea Turtle Page: http://www.turtles.org/
Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle: http://www.ns.ca/educ/museum

4. Tea
Tea ceremonies: http://www.teatime.com/


Sheila Elbogen
Roslyn M.S., English
Roslyn.NY