Unit Theme:
Transition from grammar and mechanics to syntax to paragraphs
Unit Essential Question:
What roles do grammar and mechanics play in crafting a solid piece of writing?
Essential Skills or Concepts:
Using specific parts of speech to write more clearly, powerfully, and creatively (common nouns, proper nouns, action verbs, adjectives, adverbs)
Deciding one's purpose for writing: narration, exposition, description, persuasion
Identifying sentence type, purpose, and pattern to create variety and interest
Using sensory detail
Pre-writing with story details, descriptions, conflict, characters, setting in mind
Mini-Lesson Outline:
A. The teacher will review the homework study with students and have them demonstrate individual understanding through the following:
- The student will choose a familiar fairytale from the list given.
- The student will list five common nouns that fit the story.
- The student will list at least three proper nouns that fit the story.
- The student will list at least twelve vivid action verbs to fit the story.
- The student will list ten sensory and vivid adjectives to fit the story.
- The student will list six vibrant adverbs that fit the story.
- The student will write and label the following sentence patterns to fit the story: subject-verb; subject-verb-direct object; subject-verb-direct object-object complement; subject-verb-indirect object-direct object.
- The student will write a descriptive sentence or sentence in dialogue for each of the following: declarative sentence, interrogative sentence, imperative sentence, and exclamatory sentence.
B. For students that complete this exercise correctly, they may proceed with the following:
- Decide the means of discourse: exposition, narration, persuasion, description.
- Develop plot, conflict, and resolution for creative versions of the fairytales.
- Experiment with 1st and 3rd person, and then decide the best one for the story.
- Establish setting and characters.
- Use sensory detail.
- Use effective time/order transitions.
- Write with a variety of tones, moods, voices.
- Parameters:
- Do not skip any steps of the pre-writing process.
- Be original. Add a twist. Create interest.
- Use dialogue if the student likes. Check pages 755 and 756 in the grammar text.
- Use only characters that suit the setting and action.
- Do not use names or situations that are derogatory or demeaning to others.
- Employ formal or informal style.
C. For homework complete any step in Parts A and B that were not completed in class.
