Issue: Using capital letters

When I have been proof reading work a key issue has emerged - I need to ask, are you using capital letters properly?

A reminder is below - we use capital letters:

• In the names of people, places, or related words
• At the beginning of a sentence or bullet point
• In the titles of books, films, organisations, competitions etc.
• In abbreviations.

The Oxford Dictionary guide to using capital letters is here.

If you'd like to practise your punctuation you can print out a worksheet here, I will be happy to go back over it with you in class.

 

Quotes, music and catch up

This week in class you will locate important quotes and think of music appropriate for your Notable's display - you may like to bring some headphones to the computer lab with you!

You can write important quotes into your NON workbook/folder or save them on Word document.
Think of how many you will need - you might even like to go back to your mini-biography or timeline and insert them there.

They can be formatted (redesigned using font, colour and pictures) so they can look good on your display - you can even do this in class.

When locating music you may like to use iTunes or Spotify if you have an account - this may be easier to do at home. You may also like to search free programs like soundcloud to find music that might be appropriate.

You might like to play your music at the presentation evening using a laptop or an iPad, or connect your iPod to speakers. You could also use it as background music if you are showing a PowerPoint Presentation at our presentation evening.

You can also use this week as catch up - remember it is your job to become an expert on your Notable - on the evening you will become them, in character! 

Night of Notables displays and speeches around the world!

A Night of Notables Speech - Albert Einstein!
Notice how the student (from St Augustines in Vancouver, Canada) has memorised his speech and only used his palm cards as prompts. He even used Einstein's Accent!



Meet Elvis, his speech is entirely memorised!



This presentation has a lot of good ideas for displaying and showing off information - take a look at how Notables are presenting their work.



Finally, an American student called Anastasia gives a video account of her NON experience!


You can find other Night of Notables videos on YouTube.

What makes someone a notable?

Perhaps an easier way of thinking about this is 'What makes this person so important?'

A good way to start is to make a list or summary of all of the important events or contributions your notable has made - use a new page in your workbook or folder. Use bullet points or headings if you like.

Then elaborate. Start adding details and telling the story of the people, ideas and events that shaped your notable's destiny and made them an incredible human being.

Remember to focus on learning as much as you can about your notable as in a matter of weeks you will be writing a speech to present and preparing yourself for questions from an audience! By researching this deeply, you are preparing for your presentation!

Minimum length: 5 paragraphs
Desired length: 1-1.5 pages

Other tips:

• Use your workbook, typing out your work is optional
• The aim of this piece of writing is to persuade the audience
• Use emotive and descriptive language
• Include an introduction and conclusion

Creating a Timeline

An example of a brief, hand drawn timeline.

A timeline is a visual representation of showing particular dates over a period of time. They can be drawn by hand or a computer may be used. Pictures and graphics can also be included!
In short: a timeline is a list of events in the order that they happened.

I should point out that how you create your timeline is up to you. It can be hand-drawn or you may use a computer. The important thing is that it is easy to read, lists important events, and is eye-catching (even a little creative, perhaps add some pictures too?)

An excellent guide to creating a timeline is here.

Using Microsoft word? Here is a quick guide showing you how to do it.


If PowerPoint is more your thing, take a look at this - a good way to create a timeline if you are using a computer.

Creating a Biography

 After selecting your notable your first task is to create their biography.

A biography is the story of a person's life. The Oxford Dictionary defines it as:

"An account of someone’s life written by someone else."

You can read about creating a biography here - it is very similar to the sheet I gave you in class.

A list of Australian Biographies can be found here - it also includes a list of important indigenous Australians.

Another list can be found here - but remember it is only a start!

When you have written your biography you can email it to me so I can read your work and make further recommendations.

What is Night of Notables?

The Night of Notables project gives students an opportunity to select an eminent figure and become an expert on them!

The project is largely self-directed and involves accumulating, analysing and synthesising material in order to create and present their notable authentically to an audience. It challenges students to develop a deep knowledge and understanding of their notable and in turn, share this with an audience concisely and with creativity.

The program culminates with a single evening presentation called 'Night of Notables.'

Here are some goals of the project:

• Students become an expert on a person and time period in history.
• Students present their notable in front of an audience with clarity and confidence.
• Students create a booth and costume that aids the audience in understanding the time and place from which their person came.

The Night of Notables is a popular project around Australia, and the world! You can view the project at other schools:

• Box Hill High School, Victoria
• St Marys College, Toowoomba, Queensland
• Yarrawarrah Public School, Sydney
• West Pennant Hills Public School, Sydney

Run Sheet

This sheet will help you keep on track with your project's progress, you can use this to print out extra copies.

Night of Notables Run Sheet