Why? 

• When you read literature from another cultural setting, comprehension can be a challenge.  What does the setting look like?  Why do the characters think and behave the way they do?  Have you had similar problems?  In their shoes, would you have made the same decisions?  Just as knowing a language will help you to understand a person's message, understanding the culture of a time and place will deepen your interpretation of the literature, and strengthen your connections to the march of humanity.

• Be an effective reader and communicator of ideas. Show your insight and creativity.  The purpose of the presentation is to broaden your understanding of the historical context of this work of literature, and to seek connections between this literature and your life. 

What? 

• Work together with your team to create a 10-minute presentation about the novel Of Nightingales That Weep.  This interdisciplinary project combines the skills of reading, interpretation, research, writing, visual art, and speaking.
  

• Your oral presentation, combined with your writing and a poster as a focal point, will help your classmates understand their study of Japan and its place in world history.
  

• Successful completion of this project is more complex than simply locating correct answers;  it challenges you to synthesize and build new understanding.

• More specific directions are below.  To see a sample poster, click here:

This curriculum integrates the subject areas of social studies, reading, and language arts.  Listed below are the relevant academic standards addressed by the project.  For a complete list of standards for seventh grade, go to: http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/hstgrade7.asp

Social Studies:

• 7.5 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of Medieval Japan.
• 7.5.3 Describe the values, social customs, and traditions prescribed by the lord-vassal system consisting of shogun, daimyo, and samurai and the lasting influence of the warrior code in the twentieth century.
• 7.5.5 Study the ninth and tenth centuries' golden age of literature, art, and drama and its lasting effects on culture today, including Murasaki Shikibu's Tale of Genji.
  
• 7.5.6 Analyze the rise of a military society in the late twelfth century and the role of the samurai in that society.

Reading:

• 3.0 Students read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their studies of history and social science.
• 3.4 Identify and analyze recurring themes across works (e.g., the value of bravery, loyalty, and friendship; the effects of loneliness).

Language Arts:

• 2.0 Speaking Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics) Students deliver well-organized formal presentations employing traditional rhetorical strategies (e.g., narration, exposition, persuasion, description).
• 2.3 Deliver research presentations.
• 2.2 Write responses to literature:
  
  • a. Develop interpretations exhibiting careful reading, understanding, and insight.
  • b. Organize interpretations around several clear ideas, premises, or images from the literary work.
  • c. Justify interpretations through sustained use of examples and textual evidence.
  
  

	The Big Picture	The Details
	As part of a team, you will:
1.	Read and interpret the novel Of NightingalesThat Weep  by Katherine Paterson.
2.	Read about the historical setting of the story.	We are learning about medieval Japan in social studies.
		Independently learn more by exploring the internet, the books in class, and books in the library.
		Directions
3.	Choose an area of historical and cultural research, such as women or castles, to deepen your understanding of Japan.	Research your own cultural specialty by internet.  You will find links provided for each specialty.
		Compile notes of your research findings and coordinate them with the rest of your team.
		Meet with your team regularly, and report your progress to the teacher.  See directions for team meetings.
		Prepare to present some (not all) of your research findings in a way that illuminates the cultural setting of the novel and expresses your chosen theme.
4.	Choose one or two literary themes, such as love or loyalty.	This theme will provide a focus of your group presentation, tying together the various pieces.  Your analysis of the characters and history should be in terms of the theme.
		Example using samurai (specialty) and loyalty (theme):  The samurai code emphasized loyalty to one's master.
		Directions
5.	Help create a group poster or computer slide show.	Either a poster or computer presentation are OK.  Hand printing or typing are OK.
	Click to enlarge example	This will provide a visual focal point for your oral presentation.  In your speech, you will refer to the poster.
		Required elements: title of the book names of the team members identification of theme pictures or symbols of 4-6 characters caption for each character giving a clue to his connection with the theme, and his connection with a cultural specialty.
		Sample caption using Takiko (character), love (theme), and youth (specialty):  "In her youth, Takiko learns about the obstacles to love."
		Directions
6.	Plan and deliver an oral group presentation of your analysis and interpretation.	The objective is to help your classmates deepen their understanding of this novel.  Show how cultural background helps to explain the values and actions of the characters.
		Length: about ten minutes.
		The group presentation needs an introduction, body, and conclusion.
		Each person must speak.
		Focus your presentation with a definition of your chosen theme or themes.  Support your focus with explanation of your cultural research and inference about characters and events from the novel.
		See the rubric for grading your project.
	Bow and enjoy your applause!	Directions