Gifted Class: Raptor Force

Take-home Final Exam

Due: Sunday, December 14th, 2008

 

Directions: Use your home computer to write a story. Email it to Mrs. Beck as an MS Word attachment, or include it in the body of an email. Mrs. Beck must receive it by Sunday, December 14th.

 

If you are able to, scan your drawing and attach it too, if not bring it to school next Wednesday.

 

This is where your story begins:

Imagine you are a gifted inventor living in the early 1900s. You are fascinated by flight. In fact, youÕve often dreamt of flying.

 

It is 12 noon, and you are going for a hike. Suddenly you see a large bird of prey.

 

You sit down on the side of the trail, lie on your back and watch the bird soaring. He spirals higher and higher until he is just a speck in the sky. Then you drift off to sleep and, in your dream, you invent a new aircraft, inspired by the bird you just observed.

 

Include these details:

1. What is name of the specific raptor species you see that inspires you? Describe it in detail and everything you know about it. This should be an actual species – one of the raptors we studied.

 

2. Then, describe in detail the aircraft that the bird inspires you to invent. What does it look like? What is its shape? How does it achieve lift? What provides the thrust? How does the pilot (you) control yaw, roll and pitch? Describe the view you see from the air as you test fly the aircraft.

 

3. Lastly, illustrate your story. Include a picture of the raptor and a picture of the aircraft.

 

 

Important: Write your first draft quickly. Allow your ideas to flow freely. Then re-read it several times, improving it, adding details, removing parts you donÕt like. Then check your spelling, punctuation and grammar. Find the best words to express your thoughts.

 

Your story should include specific details that will allow the reader to SEE what you see. All words should be spelled correctly. The story should make sense and flow smoothly to an interesting ending. Do not write Ōthe end.Ķ

 

IÕm looking forward to reading your story!

 

Mrs. Beck

sbeck@wildclassroom.net