Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix 7th Grade Reading Project

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Among the Hiddenby Margaret Peterson Haddix7th
Grade Reading Project
Austin Academy Garland ISD

• Collaborators
• Janice Borland
• Karen Fava
• Dosie Morrow

http//www.jborland.pbworks.com
Image from Titlewave Cover
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Objective To Motivate Reluctant Readers By
Engaging Them In Reading Activities That
Incorporate A Wide Range of
Interactive Technology Tools
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TimelineThis unit can easily take 6 weeks or
more. These students met for 45 minutes each day
and had regularly scheduled access to a computer
lab at least once a week. This presentation does
not, by any means, include all of the activities
used to teach this unit. Reading of the novel
was done in class with vocabulary support,
additional writing exercises, quizzes, etc.
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Introduction
IMAGINE
Living in a society where the population has
increased to dangerous levels and the  government
controls virtually every aspect of its citizens'
lives, including placing restrictions on how many
children a family can have.
IMAGINE
Being a third child in a family when the
government allows only two children.  
IMAGINE
Having to spend your entire life "hidden" from
society and the government.
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How would you feel?What would you do?Would you
have the power to change the system?Would you
survive? 
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Among The Hidden Synopsis

• Shadow Children Series
• 7 books
• Future society facing overpopulation issues
• Government passes 2 child law
• Population Police enforcement
• Illegal children are kept hidden
• Study guides available http//books.google.com/b
  ooks?idxfGeteYePfgCdqliteratureguideamongthe
  hiddenkathleenwokenrowleyprintsecfrontcovers
  ourceblotsRUTc6jYp6msignNpHP3pxVmHXljwYGKAgiu
  8CxCkhleneiZHJPS9LmDoeXtgfL47UBsaXoibook_r
  esultctresultresnum2ved0CAwQ6AEwAQvonepage
  qffalse

Image from Titlewave Cover
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Activity IMore People Brainstorming Activity
In groups of 3-4 students, think carefully about
what happens when we continue to add more and
more people to the planet.  Brainstorm and
discuss the impacts that more people have, for
better or for worse.  In some cases, adding more
people will cause there to be more of some things
which causes more of other other things in a
chain reaction.  In other cases, more of some
things might cause less of others in a chain
reaction.  Use the graphic organizer attached to
the Wiki page to document your ideas and
discussion.
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Activity IMore People Brainstorming Activity

• Example  Adding more people causes us to need to
  build more houses which means we need to cut down
  more trees for lumber which results in more clear
  cutting of forests and less trees which reduces
  the amount of oxygen being produced on the planet
  and causes more erosion.

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More People
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Activity 2 Population Trends in the U.S.
Research

• How fast is the population in the U.S. growing? 
• Is the U.S. in danger of experiencing a
  population crisis in your life time?  
• Is our government doing anything to try to
  control population growth? 
• Are some places in the U.S. more crowded than
  others? 
• To find the answers to these questions,  we will
  do
• a little research on population trends in the U.S.

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Population Trends Research Questions1 class
periodUse Nettrekker, Britannica Online, and the
U.S. Census Bureau at http//quickfacts.census.gov
/qfd/index.html

• How fast is the population of the United States
  growing? Does this pattern suggest that we will
  have problems in the future?
• Where do the majority of Americans live--in
  cities or rural areas? What special problems
  relate to populations in urban and rural regions?
• In what ways are people encouraged to be
  responsible for the number of children they have?
• How does the government try to provide food and
  shelter for needy families?

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Activity 3 Chinas One Child Policy

• The country that has taken the most drastic
  measures to control population is China because
  it is the most populated country in the world. 
  Find out about China's "One Child Policy" by
  accessing the BBC article from the link below. 
  Carefully read the article and answer the
  questions provided. 
• http//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/941511.stm
  

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Activity 4 Begin Reading Among The
Hidden

• Now that you have a better understanding of some
  of the issues related to overpopulation, you are
  ready to begin reading Among the Hidden .
• Along the way, you will be participating in some
  really cool new activities.
• ENJOY THE BOOK!

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Assuming The Role Of A Shadow Child

• In order to get a better idea of what it must
  have been like for "Shadow Children" from all
  over the United States to join together via the
  internet, each of you is going to be assigned the
  role of a "Shadow Child" who lives somewhere in
  the United States.  Some of you will belong to
  families who are rich.  Others will not be as
  fortunate.  Some of you will have some privileges
  like shopping passes, others will not.  Some of
  you will live in big cities, others will live in
  very rural communities.  Some of you will have
  other siblings who are also "Shadow Children." 
  Others will not.

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Assuming The Role Of A Shadow Child

• When you receive your "Shadow Child" identity
  you will discover what city and state that you
  live in, as well as the type of house in which
  you are hidden.  Other special information about
  your living situation will also be given.  In
  addition, you will be given a link to a live
  EarthCam that will let you "see" what it looks
  like "out your window" each day.  You will also
  be given a link to a Wikipedia site that you will
  use to learn more about your town/city.

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Assuming The Role Of A Shadow Child

• As soon as your teacher hands you a slip of paper
  that reveals your "Shadow Child" identity, go to
  the Shadow Child Identities document in
  StuShare and click on the link for your child. 
• Read the description of your child and where
  he/she lives.
• Choose an appropriate screen name for your
  child and report it to your teacher. Do NOT use
  your real name.
• Go to the Wikipedia link and read the information
  about your town/city.
• Go to the EarthCam link to see what it looks like
  outside the window of your new home.
• Go to the photo link to see what your actual
  house looks like.
• Make sure that you are very knowledgeable about
  where you live and what your situation is because
  you will be required to share this information
  with others as you get acquainted with the other
  Shadow Children when you blog.
• (See document for Shadow Child Identities
  attached on my Wiki)

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Google Maps ActivityWhere Do We All Live?
Picture from http//www.abcteach.com/free/u/united
stateslabeledrgb.jpg
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Google Maps ActivityWhere Do We All Live?

• In this activity we will use Google Maps to
  locate the city/town for all of the"Shadow
  Children"  in your class.   Each "Shadow Child"
  must find the exact location of his/her town on
  the master map, create a placemark that tells
  who lives there, and include some details
  about the child who lives there.  Once you have
  located you own town, you will want to spend some
  time looking also at the "satellite view" and the
  "terrain view" of your town.

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Google Maps ActivityWhere Do We All Live?

• Once you are familiar with the location of your
  town, start looking around the map to find your
  other "Shadow Child" friends.  In particular,
  look for others who live near you.
•  
• Finally, use your skills and Google Maps to found
  out the distance, in miles, from your home town
  to Washington, D.C.
• (See document for Google Maps Activity attached
  to my Wiki)

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Where I Live Glogging Activity
Now that you have had a chance to learn some
things about where you live, create a GLOG to
show off your home to others. Include some
information about the population size, economy,
and recreation in your area. Provide a link to
your house photo as well as to your live
EarthCam. Also include a map and any other
things you think are interesting about your
town/state. Among the Hidden Glog See
Glogster Tips on Wiki
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Blogging Activities
Picture from http//techrichclass.com/attachments/
Image/blog_clip_art.jpg
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Blogging Activities

• How did Jen communicate with the other "Shadow
  Children" around the United States?  She used the
  internet, of course!  Isn't that what social
  networking is all about? 
•  
• Now it is your turn to get involved in the action
  as you take on the identity of your "Shadow
  Child."  For the next few weeks, every time your
  class comes to the computer lab you will be
  blogging with each other about things related to
  being a "Shadow Child."  Ultimately, you will be
  planning for the big rally in Washington D.C. and
  discussing it with each other.  You will have to
  decide whether or not you are going, how you will
  get there, how you feel about the whole thing,
  and more. 

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Blogging Activities

• There will be some rules that you must follow
  while posting your blogs.  If you fail to follow
  the rules, your entries will not be posted.  You
  will get more details regarding the rules in your
  first blogging assignment. 

Picture from http//www.macomb.lib.mi.us/harperwoo
ds/clipart-pencil-checklist.jpg
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Introduction To Blogging

• Welcome students.  We are excited about the
  opportunities to communicate and express our
  ideas with each other using this blogging
  format.  It is our expectation that participants
  will respect each other's ideas and opinions at
  all times and will demonstrate common courtesies
  when responding to each other.  All response
  posts will be screened by the moderator before
  posting.  Any responses that are determined to be
  inappropriate will not be posted.  Students must
  use standard rules for grammar and writing in
  this blog.  "Texting lingo" is not appropriate
  and will not be accepted. 

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Introduction To Blogging

•  In an effort to keep our site safe and secure,
  we ask that you do not include our school name in
  any of your posts.  Students must use screen
  names  in place of their real names.  These names
  will be established by students with the teacher
  who is moderating their blogs. 
•  
• After a short demonstration by your teacher to
  show you how to log in and navigate in the blog,
  read the blogging instructions that follow and
  get started!

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Day In The Life Of A Shadow Child Blogging
Activity

• Today as you blog with your fellow Shadow Child
  friends, we want you to get to know each other
  better.  Tell each other about where you live and
  what you do every day.  Talk about your house,
  the surroundings outside your house, your
  "freedoms" (like whether or not you have a
  shopping pass), whether your family is rich,
  poor, or somewhere in between, etc.  Do you ever
  get to go outside?  If so, to do what?  Do you
  have other brothers and sisters at home with
  you?  Do you get to watch TV, play on the
  computer, etc.?  Since you don't go to school,
  how are you learning to read, write, do math,
  etc,?  Do you like being at home all of the time
  or are you really anxious to become free?  Are
  you afraid?  What are your favorite things to do
  while you are at home alone?

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Day In The Life Of A Shadow Child Blogging
Activity

• Once you have posted some information about
  yourself, start reading other people's posts. 
  Respond to at least 3 of them.  Ask additional
  questions and comment about something they have
  said.
• (Remember to keep hitting the refresh key to see
  new postings)
•  
• This discussion may extend to a couple of class
  periods as you get used to how the blog works.

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Rally Time Blogging Activity

• Before participating in this blogging activity,
  you must have completed the Among The Hidden
  Google Maps Activity. In this activity you will
  use Google Maps to pinpoint your location on the
  class map, calculate the distance from your
  town/city to the rally in Washington, D.C., and
  look for your closest "neighbors" to determine
  who you might ride with to the rally.

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Rally Time Blogging ActivityDone Before
Reading About Actual Rally

• Today you need to blog with your fellow Shadow
  Child friends about the upcoming rally at the
  President's house.  What are your plans?  Are you
  going?  If not, why not?  If so, how are you
  getting there?  How long will it take you to get
  there?  Do your parents know you are going?  What
  are your feelings about going?  Are you afraid? 
  What are your hopes about what will happen?  
• Tell us your plans and then respond to your
  friends to arrange your ride and discuss the
  rally.

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Survivors Of the Rally Reunion Blogging Activity

• Note  You must have finished reading the book
  to participate in this blog! 
•  
• We are presuming since you are here blogging
  today that you survived the rally.  Either you
  didn't end up going that day, or you managed to
  get away from the ordeal that happened that day
  in Washington, D.C.   

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Survivors Of the Rally Reunion Blogging Activity

• It is now 10 years later.  Since that day of the
  rally 10 years ago, you have been unable to
  contact your Shadow Child friends because the
  government blocked all of your blog sites.  You
  have spent the last 10 years thinking about what
  happened that day, whether you were actually
  there or not.  You have wondered what happened to
  your friends.  You know some died, including Jen,
  but you aren't sure who else.  Since then, a new
  President has been elected and the laws are
  beginning to change.  Some of the Survivors of
  the Rally have organized an online reunion and
  have advertised the blog site around the
  country.  You are joining the online reunion
  today.

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Survivors Of the Rally Reunion Blogging Activity

• So, talk to your fellow Shadow Child friends. 
  Tell them what happened to you that day of the
  rally.  Tell them how you felt after that day was
  over.  What have you been doing since then? 
  Where do you live now?  Have you done anything in
  the last 10 years to help other Shadow Children? 
  Are you still in hiding or are you now free? 

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Through Your Vent Activity
Picture from http//cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/8694
87-001.jpg
If You Were A "Shadow Child" Inside Your Own
Home, What Would You See Outside Your Window?
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Through Your Vent Activity

• By now you know a lot about what Luke saw
  outside his window in Among the Hidden.  What if
  you were in Luke's shoes?  What would you see
  outside your window?  Write a descriptive
  narrative that answers the following questions.
• 1.    What do you see when you look outside your
  bedroom window?
• 2.    If you see your neighbors house, do they
  have blinds? Is their house two stories? Are
  their blinds open? Can you see in their house?
  If so, what do you see?
• 3.    Do you see bushes or trees? Do you see
  people? If so, who?
• 4.    Do you see out the back or front? Do you
  see cars, do you see pets?
• 5.    What does the sky look like? What is the
  weather like?

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Post Reading Journal ProjectAdapted from
Pre-Reading Activities from Among The Hidden
Literature Guide by Kathleen Woken-Rowley
http//books.google.com/books?idxfGeteYePfgCdq
literatureguideamongthehiddenkathleenwoken-r
owleyprintsecfrontcoversourceblotsRUTc6jYp6m
signNpHP3pxVmHXljwYGKAgiu8CxCkhleneiZHJPS9Lm
DoeXtgfL47UBsaXoibook_resultctresultresnum
2ved0CAwQ6AEwAQvonepageqffalse
Picture from http//www.clker.com/clipart-pencil-e
raser-and-journal.html
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Post Reading Journal Project
This will be a journal project using the topics
that follow. All entries should be placed in a
separate notebook or a booklet of loose-leaf that
you make to be handed in and   1. Each journal
entry should be at least a half of a page
long. 2. There must be 11 journal entries done,
following the topics that follow. 3. You may
decorate the entries to make the journal more
like you. 4. Covers should be decorated. We will
bind your booklet for you.
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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 1
• Journal/discuss the concept of having dreams and
  goals for the future. Are dreams and goals
  important? What happens when those dreams are
  never fulfilled? What if other people make fun of
  or doubt those dreams? Is it more important look
  at reality or to have dreams? Can you do both?

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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 2
• Journal/discuss the concept of loneliness.
  Write/tell the difference between loneliness and
  being alone. Write about a time or situation in
  which you felt particularly alone or lonely and
  how you might have (or did) remedy the situation.
  Include a photograph or drawing to illustrate the
  writing.

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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 3
• Journal/discuss the quote Liberty, too, must be
  limited in order to be possessed, by Edmund
  Burke (1729-1779). What do you think would happen
  if everyone were free to do whatever they
  pleased? Should liberty be limited? How far
  should the government go to protect our lives? Or
  do you think the government should not be
  involved in our freedom to choose the life we
  want to live?

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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 4
• Journal/discuss the concept of happiness. Is
  there really such thing as true happiness? How
  would you define it? Explain.

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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 5
• Journal/discuss a time when you wanted something
  so badly you would do almost anything to get it.
  What was the situation? What was the result?
  Include how it felt to get/not get what you
  wanted.

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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 6
• Discuss/journal the saying To thine own self be
  true, which comes from Shakespeares Macbeth.
  What does the quote mean? Where have you heard
  the saying? In what situation might you find
  yourself having to be true to yourself? When have
  you ever had to decide to be true to yourself in
  a tough situation?

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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 7
• Discuss/journal the characteristics of a good
  leader. Then discuss the characteristics of a bad
  leader. Are leaders born or made? List the
  attributes of their ideal leader, how he/she
  would act, reason, negotiate, follow, etc. Can
  leadership be used for evil deeds?
•  

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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 8
• Most people feel that honesty is the best
  policy. Is it ever okay to lie? If so, when and
  under what circumstances? Explain your answers
  using specific examples or situation.
•  

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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 9
• Sometimes the course of our lives can be changed
  in an instant. Whether it is a change for the
  positive or negative, it can sometimes bring
  surprising results. Journal/discuss a time when
  major change was introduced into your life,
  paying special attention to the astounding effect
  this change had on you.

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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 10
• Journal/discuss the concept of courage and/or
  what makes a hero.

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Post Reading Journal Project

• Day 11
• Describe the room you would like to have if you
  were not allowed to exist. What would you want
  in it? Take into account that during the day, no
  one can know that someone is living in your
  house. Also include what you would do while other
  people are playing and having fun in the outside
  world, when you are not allowed to leave your
  house.

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Power Of Persuasion Activities

• To prepare students for their last Web 2.0
  activity using FLIP cameras to film a persuasive
  speech, we engaged students in several activities
  to teach them the elements of persuasion and give
  them a chance to practice their persuasion
  skills. To see these activities, go to the
  Power of Persuasion page in my Wiki.

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FLIP Camera Persuasive Speech Activity
Picture from http//blogs.glam.com/glamchic/files/
2007/11/flip-camera.jpg
 "PLEASE SET ME FREE!"  What if the government
that instituted the limit on the number of
children a family could have in Among the Hidden
had a partial change of heart?  What if they
instituted a program where "Shadow Children" 14
years and older could submit a video in which
they had a chance to argue for their
freedom?  What if you were one of those "Shadow
Children"?  How convincing and persuasive could
you be?
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FLIP Camera Persuasive Speech Activity

• In this activity you will prepare a short
  persuasive speech which will be filmed using one
  of the school's digital FLIP cameras.  You will
  be working in pairs so that each of you will
  operate the FLIP camera as well as make your
  speech.
•  
• When all of the videos have been completed, a
  panel of government officials (teachers and
  administrators) from your school will view the
  videos and decide which children will receive
  their freedom and which will not.  So, plan your
  argument carefully and practice being persuasive
  in your delivery!

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FLIP Camera Persuasive Speech Activity

• Use the following questions as a guide in
  planning your speech.
• Who are you addressing in your video? 
• What is the purpose of your speech? 
• Which method of persuasion are you using? 
• Come up with 5 reasons/arguments as to why YOU
  should be free.
• Why should the government choose you over someone
  else?
• What are you going to do that will make you an
  outstanding
• citizen and member of society?

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FLIP Camera Persuasive Speech Activity

• Use the O.R.E.O. Persuasion model to assist you
  in writing your final speech.
• O Opinion
• R Reasons
• E Expand, Elaborate, Explain
• O Restate Opinion
• (See my Wiki for a copy of the O.R.E.O. template)

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Persuasive Video
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Contact Information

• Janice Borland
• Austin Academy for Excellence
• 1125 Beverly Drive
• Garland, Texas 75040
• 972-926-2620 Ext. 50026
• Jborland_at_garlandisd.net
• http//jborland.pbworks.com