Welcome back
from the weekend. This week we are striving to compose our historical fiction
storybooks using the research from last week.
There are due dates on Wednesday and Thursday (See checklist on next
page). To make these due dates, students
will be required to do some of the writing at home each night between Monday
and Thursday. Our overall learning goals
as we conclude this unit are: 1. Gain content knowledge relating to students’
American Indian research topics. 2. Become proficient in the research and
citation process that will be required at JHHS. 3. Successfully compose meaningful
historical fiction.
Monday:
1.
Review weekly
goals and due dates.
2.
Look at an
example plot summary - then students
will be working on their own. The purpose is to use these as an outline and guide
when composing storybooks. Many students
will move into writing the main body of their stories.
3.
Teacher/student
research conferences will continue for students who couldn’t meet on Friday.
HW: Begin
drafting your introduction at home. Don’t forget to bring it into class on a
flash drive or on student email.
Tuesday:
1.
Close read: In
small groups, students will examine a section of our anchor text, The Unbreakable Code, looking for
textual clues of how students can begin composing their stories. A couple key questions we will look to answer
– How does the author introduce the characters and set up the conflict? How and
where does the author include research details within the fiction?
2.
Students writing
in class today. Some students will be using some basic writing prompts relating
to transitions and verb use.
HW: Continue
writing at home to meet your deadlines!
** Note: Watch all or part of
tonight’s presidential debate. You may opt for the extra credit notes and
analysis.
Wednesday:
1.
We will look at the balance of reflection,
action and dialog in students’ compositions today, then students continue writing. Students should be finished or close to
finished
HW: Compose
an author’s note tonight and bring into class tomorrow.
Thursday:
1 1. Check and share
author’s notes.
2. 2. Revisit student
examples of storybook illustration and layout
3. Students
will either be editing with the teacher or with an editing guide, or they may be starting the illustrations and
layout for their storybooks.
HW: Re-read
and edit with a pencil – Look for classic conventions errors like run-ons,
homonym confusions and dialog punctuation.
Friday:
1.
Working on final
edits, layouts and illustrations.
HW Due Monday:
Storybooks are due at the end of class on Monday – work on final edits
and layout for Monday.