Standard/GLE

Alignment:

Students demonstrate command of the structures of sentences, paragraphs and text by writing a variety of simple sentences.

In written narratives students organize and relate a story plot/line/series of events by creating a clear, understandable story line with a beginning, middle and end.

Students demonstrate use of narrative strategies by using details and identifying characters.

Focus

and /or

Essential Questions:

Reading quality literature for fluency and expression.

How can we find out about how animals live in the wild?

How can we illustrate and write an original story about a wild animal?

What are the key elements of a good story?

Skills:

Writing skills with focus on ideas and voice.

Using narrative and informational texts, students will research facts about a chosen wild animal.

Students will illustrate realistic pictures for a three page story about a wild animal to include facts that demonstrate understanding of: character, setting, problem/solution and beginning, middle and end of a narrative story.

Students will practice prewriting, drafting, editing, revising and critiquing written work to produce a final copy.

Student writing will include descriptive, interesting sentences using factual details from their research.

Content:

Students will be introduced to quality literature at a challenging level, and practice reading and responding with fluency.

Students will respond to literature in writing using personal narrative to write about memories and events in their lives.

Using Jane Goodall’s books about a baby chimpanzee named Okomi, students will be introduced to the elements of a good story: character, setting, problem/solution and beginning, middle and end.

Students will choose a wild animal to research and write a three page story about. The story pages will follow a beginning (to show setting), a middle (to show problem) and an ending (to show solution). Students will gather research facts about the animal to include in their work. Students will illustrate three pages, brainstorm describing words for each page (prewriting), draft a narrative for each page that includes descriptive words and facts, revise and edit their writing using peer and teacher conferences, and create a final narrative that shows an understanding of the key elements of a good story. Students will read their work to younger students and to their classmates.

Assessment:

Assessment will include ongoing conferencing and feedback. Students’ final project, the completed story, will be assessed based on student understanding of the key elements of story: character, setting, problem/solution, descriptive language and ability to write a variety of interesting, factual sentences.

Modifications:

Enrichment:

Remediation:

Individual teacher support as needed.