JournalJournaling is well-known as a

therapeutic practice, a tool for helping you organize your thoughts and vent your emotions, especially in anxiety-

ridden times. But keeping a diary has an added benefit during a pandemic: It may

help educate future generationsTake a look at this doc for details.

Create an online journal of your life during the Pandemic. You must have at least four entries of one paragraph or more. They do not have to be consecutive days. Be sure to date each entry. See examples and ideas for writing by clicking the link above, and review the examples provided here:

Journal examples

NOTE: Choose either the journal activity OR the 36 Hours Column assignment. Do not do both as two of your choice board activities.

36-Hours ColumnFor nearly two decades, The Times has published a weekly 36 Hours column, giving readers suggestions for how to spend a weekend in cities all over the globe. While traveling for fun is not an option now, you may want to create a special article on how you spend a weekend at home in the midst of a global pandemic.

Here are some ideas.

Carefully read and review examples in the link above to learn more about the New York Times “36-Hour Column.”

Your job is to document 36 hours in your life during the Pandemic. You can combine writing, photographs, music and other media to document this time period. The story must be told in an organized manner so that the reader can follow you through 36 hours of your life.

PoetryPeople have long turned to creative expression

in times of crisis. During the coronavirus pandemic, artists are continuing to illustrate,

play music, dance, perform — and write poetry.

A poem is a wonderful way to connect and capture moments.

Take a look at this doc for details

Create three different types of poems related to the Pandemic. Review the attachment above. You will see information on how to write a found poem and a blackout poem. You will also see a link to photographs that you could use to create a poem.

The links below include a number of examples of other types of poems. Ideas include haiku, acrostic, ABC poem, and limerick poems. You may want to try some of the other types of poems, as well. If you get stuck for ideas, read the article below on how to overcome writer’s block.

How to Overcome Writer's Block

Poetry lessons and examples

Poetry example Ms. Carlton

Comic StripSometimes, words alone just won’t do. Visual mediums, like comics, have the

advantage of being able to express emotion, reveal inner monologues, and explain complex subjects in ways that

words on their own seldom can.

Find ideas here.

Create a comic strip of at least 10 frames depicting some aspect of your life during the Pandemic. The comic strip must include school appropriate images and dialogue.

Photo EssayDaily life looks very different now. Unusual scenes are playing out in homes, parks, grocery stores

and streets across the country.Using photos, show us your world right now.

Here’s the doc for more info.

Create a photo journal documenting some aspect of your life and your observations during the Pandemic. You should include at least six photographs. Take a look at the link above for topics and ideas. Be creative. Consider how to tell a story through photographs.

1. You may choose to use captions or a series of phrases or words to express your connection to the picture.

Or

2. Write a creative narrative or poem to tell the story of your photographs

. Soundtrack of the Times

“Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in

common.”― Sarah Dessen, Just Listen

Music has the ability to connect and soothe us no matter what is happening in the world. Think about the songs you are listening to as you go through your days at home. How does a certain song resonate with you during this time?

Create a family playlist. Begin with the song

How-To Guide

Being stuck at home with nowhere to go is the perfect time to learn a new skill. What are you an expert at that you can teach someone?

Take a look here!

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that you might refer to as your “anthem” for this period in your life. Explain why this song has become your anthem. Does it give you hope and inspiration, make you feel less lonely, or motivate you to get off the couch and do something different? Then, interview each member of your family and ask him or her what song he or she would choose as a personal “anthem” for this time. Ask them to explain the connection to this song, and how it helps them get through their day.

Compile your family’s playlist and interview responses into a recording or video, or you may create a document with the lyrics of each song and each family member’s reflection.

Be sure that songs are school appropriate and that you explain fully the connection to our current “stay at home” situation.

Example:

"Be Good to Yourself" by Journey

The song, “Be Good to Yourself,” by Journey is my anthem right now. For me, this song reminds me to occasionally do something I enjoy or don’t usually have time to do. During the “stay at home” period, I’ve played this song as I exercise, work on creative projects that I’ve been wanting to try, and sometimes, I just play it while taking a quiet walk through the neighborhood with Sawyer. If we ever needed to be good to ourselves, this is certainly that time, and this song is a great reminder that we need to take care of ourselves.

Have you learned any new skills during this time at home? Have you found a new way to do something you’ve always done?

Create a “how to” plan to explain how to do a task or create an object.

1. Use a combination of writing, photographs, drawings and other methods to explain your idea.

2. Create a “how-to” video to demonstrate your skill. You may either include the directions in subtitles or tell the audience how to do each step as you film.

Remember to: Check to make sure your reader can follow the directions by asking yourself: Are the directions in the correct order? I have used a text structure that makes sense and is easy to follow? Have I provided enough detail? Would a picture or chart help make the directions clearer? If materials are needed, have I listed them?

Adapted from: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LDwaHuxudSLA_PcfLUhj1Q4d3c7wh6O8YdwxpM9Grio/edit

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