SUBJECT: _Writing __________________ NAME: _Theresa Wheeler __
GRADE LEVEL: __4th grade _________ DATE: _ 2/17/10 ______
I. Concept to be taught: Drafting Fiction
II. PA Academic Standard(s)
1.3.4.A. Read, understand, and respond to works from various genres of literature
1.3.4. B. Identify the characteristics of different genres such as poetry, drama, and fiction.
III. Objectives
Students will identify elements of fiction and write freely about things that interest them.
IV. Materials needed
Book: Miss Rumphius
Writing notebooks
Writing handbooks
V. Lesson Outline
A. Motivation–
Have student’s move next to partner in desks.
Remind them that they read Miss Rumphius yesterday. Ask: What happens in this story?
Reread 21-22 – Ask: What do we find out about Miss Rumphius’s personality from this passage.
Point out the use of dialogue as a technique that authors use to reveal things about the characters;
both what character says to him/herself and to other characters.
B. Development
Turn to pg 10 in handbooks – ask: What else do you learn from what she says? Explain: speech and dialogue
– speech between characters.- can reveal a lot about a character’s personality.
As they write today, invite them give their characters words to say both to themselves and to other characters.
Instruct them to either start a new story, or work on a story they started earlier, and if possible, include characters that talk to themselves or others.
[recall the gargoyles– think : can inanimate objects in your story have dialogue?]
Begin informal conferencing with students as you walk around and monitor the room. (see pg. T247 )
C. Conclusion (Application Activity or AFTER) –
Explain that today you’d like the students to read one of their fiction drafts to their partner and to tell each other one thing they like about the other’s draft.
Remind them that this is not just listening, but also talking about each other’s writing and expressing interest.
Ask: what would you like your partner to do to show that he/she is interested in your writing and creative ideas?
D. Evaluation of Learning (ASSESSMENT) –
Student responses:
What did your partner do to show that he/she is interested in your writing and creative ideas?
What did you like about your partner’s writing?
Notes / Comments