The 14th Goldfish

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Take note!

In your notebook keep note of the following critera and fill in while reading the story.

SCASI

SETTING, CHARACTER, ACTION, STYLE, IDEAS

Read Chapters 1-5

Take note!

In your notebook keep note of the following critera and fill in while reading the story.

SCASI

SETTING, CHARACTER, ACTION, STYLE, IDEAS

Read Chapters 6-10

What are stereotypes?

PREPS

JOCKS

GOTHS

Take note!

A stereotype is an over-generalized belief about a particular category of people. It is an expectation that people might have about every person of a particular group. The type of expectation can vary; it can be, for example, an expectation about the group's personality, preferences, or ability.

Read Chapters 11-15

Take note!

In your notebook keep note of the following critera and fill in while reading the story.

SCASI

SETTING, CHARACTER, ACTION, STYLE, IDEAS

Who is Melvin Sagarsky? 

Take note!

In your notebook take notes about Melvin. You should have:

 Drawing of what Melvin looks like 

 Date of birth 

 Education 

 Scientific interests 

 Notable achievements 

 Invention 

 Typical quote from him 

Differentation task!  

Fact file: For Melvin Herbert Sagarsky 

With the information collected throughout the story you will write a small paragraph about Melvin. 

This is a differentiation task therefore you can choose to write an autobiography or biography.  

Must be finished by: 

• Poster collage: Cut out pictures, words, phrases, and quotes from magazines to create a collage that represents you.

• Acrostic poem: Write each letter of your first and last name vertically on paper. Then write a word that begins with each letter to describe yourself.

• Alphabet book: Write a word that describes you for each letter of the alphabet (A: artistic, B: beautiful, C: craves chocolate, D: dancer, E: enthusiastic reader, and so on).

• Poetry: Write a poem about yourself.

• Music: Write an original song or find a song that represents you, and write about why it is an appropriate choice.

• Autobiography: Write your life story or choose one moment to explore.

• Self-portrait: Draw a picture of yourself; include details that tell who you are. 

Read Chapters 16-20

Food & Culture

Name a type of food specific of your culture

American

Italian

French

Chinese

Food & Culture

In groups of 2-4, choose a dish that is referenced in the book. Look up:

1. The origins
2. Recipe 
3. Photo of the dish

Must be finished by: 

• Poster collage: Cut out pictures, words, phrases, and quotes from magazines to create a collage that represents you.

• Acrostic poem: Write each letter of your first and last name vertically on paper. Then write a word that begins with each letter to describe yourself.

• Alphabet book: Write a word that describes you for each letter of the alphabet (A: artistic, B: beautiful, C: craves chocolate, D: dancer, E: enthusiastic reader, and so on).

• Poetry: Write a poem about yourself.

• Music: Write an original song or find a song that represents you, and write about why it is an appropriate choice.

• Autobiography: Write your life story or choose one moment to explore.

• Self-portrait: Draw a picture of yourself; include details that tell who you are. 

Read Chapters 21-29 (Finish book)

Discussion questions after reading

What comes to mind when you think of the word 'time capsule'

Time capsule

Ellie describes her room as “a time capsule of my life.” (p. 10) Her walls are decorated with her and her friend’s handprints. The handprints get bigger each year and serve as a reminder that Ellie is growing and changing. 

Think about time capsules and why people create them.

Our class will create our own time capsule!

 Anything can be put into the time capsule, and it can be sealed for any amount of time. Students should consider including a simple letter that can also serve as a snapshot in time. Discuss the idea with the class and establish guidelines.  

BRAINSTORM

Must be finished by: 

• Poster collage: Cut out pictures, words, phrases, and quotes from magazines to create a collage that represents you.

• Acrostic poem: Write each letter of your first and last name vertically on paper. Then write a word that begins with each letter to describe yourself.

• Alphabet book: Write a word that describes you for each letter of the alphabet (A: artistic, B: beautiful, C: craves chocolate, D: dancer, E: enthusiastic reader, and so on).

• Poetry: Write a poem about yourself.

• Music: Write an original song or find a song that represents you, and write about why it is an appropriate choice.

• Autobiography: Write your life story or choose one moment to explore.

• Self-portrait: Draw a picture of yourself; include details that tell who you are. 

What you need to know for your poem

Main ingredients 

Poetry assignment (x1)

Write a poem about your 14th goldfish.

It must include:

-3 adjectives

-metaphor

-simile

-onomatopoeia

-personification 

-alliteration

Why does Ellie describe her grandfather as the fourteenth goldfish? 

Have you found your fourteenth goldfish yet? If so, who is it, and what have they taught you? If you haven’t, who is the most influential person in your life? 

Must be finished by: 

• Poster collage: Cut out pictures, words, phrases, and quotes from magazines to create a collage that represents you.

• Acrostic poem: Write each letter of your first and last name vertically on paper. Then write a word that begins with each letter to describe yourself.

• Alphabet book: Write a word that describes you for each letter of the alphabet (A: artistic, B: beautiful, C: craves chocolate, D: dancer, E: enthusiastic reader, and so on).

• Poetry: Write a poem about yourself.

• Music: Write an original song or find a song that represents you, and write about why it is an appropriate choice.

• Autobiography: Write your life story or choose one moment to explore.

• Self-portrait: Draw a picture of yourself; include details that tell who you are.