Standards Achieved in this Unit:
Read for Lit AND Info 1: Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Read for Info 4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
Write 1: Write arguments to support claims with reasons and relevant evidence.
Write 2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
Write 4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Write 6: Use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources.
Final Product: The meaning and impact of a name on modern society based on its history through an online published web host, written for elementary-aged children.
Read for Info 4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
Write 1: Write arguments to support claims with reasons and relevant evidence.
Write 2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
Write 4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Write 6: Use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources.
Final Product: The meaning and impact of a name on modern society based on its history through an online published web host, written for elementary-aged children.
Day 1: Getting into heroes & villains
Objective: I can define the difference between hero and villain.
- Group discussion: What does it mean to be a hero? What is the difference between a superhero and a hero? What does it mean to be a villain? Is it possible to be both? Explain. Can one exist without the other?
- Take the pretest on the vocabulary we'll be learning here
- After you've taken the pretest, click here and write down all of the terms (you don't know) and their definitions in your journal
Day 2: Who are you researching? What's the product look like? What are your expectations?
Objective: I know what word origin means and can apply that to my research project.
- First you'll draw to see who you will be researching. Do you know if your character is a hero or a villain? What do you know about your character? List out your character's traits while you wait for all students to get their person.
- The assignment:
Assignment Description & Rubric | |
File Size: | 175 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Bibliography Sheets | |
File Size: | 18 kb |
File Type: | docx |
- Word Origins: Where do words come from? Names, like words, typically originate from somewhere else and/or can be broken into prefixes/suffixes to determine meanings. Let's look at the origin behind the term HERO and VILLAIN.
- Like this so far, check out this article on the origin of the term superhero!
Days 3-5: Research
Objective: I can gather research and fill out citation information.
Resources:
Having problems still?: Start at wikipedia for your character & scroll down to its resources. Then seek hyperlinks for where wikipedia gathered their information.
What are you looking for?
Resources:
Having problems still?: Start at wikipedia for your character & scroll down to its resources. Then seek hyperlinks for where wikipedia gathered their information.
What are you looking for?
- Origin/History of your character
- Powers
- Flaws
- Conflict with Nemesis - you might want to talk to your nemesis here and learn from them
- Hero or Villain - talk with your nemesis to find out
REMEMBER: KEEP TRACK OF THE WEBSITES YOU USE! You can insert the URL and/or find out what you need to look for into easybib.com if you need assistance. Or check out Purdue's website to learn how to format MLA bibliographies. Or use this helpful handout as a guide for what to look for and where it might be found.
Day 6: MLA Bibliography
Objective: I can find errors in a bibliography and create my own for my webpage using the resources I gathered last week.
- MLA formatting - What is the purpose? How does this help others? How can this help me?
- Whole Class Work: Creating a Bibliography: You will receive TWO resources to compile into a bibliography correctly using the expectations provided by MLA. (If you struggle with doing this correctly, or would like to check your work, try using this resource: easybib.com)
- Group Work: You will receive THREE resources compiled into a bibliography. Can you find and mark where errors are? Fix the errors.
- Bibliography Work Time: Work on creating your bibliography/resources page correctly. This will be DUE TOMORROW & checked off.
Bibliography Practice | |
File Size: | 22 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Bibliography Practice ANSWERS | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Day 7: Turning research into our own words
Objective: I can paraphrase my research to create my own information.
- Warm-up: What is paraphrasing? What is difference between paraphrasing and summarizing? Create a Venn Diagram to compare & contrast the two skills.
- Paraphrasing Practice: 75% of writing should be your own words, the other 25% can be in-text citations.
- Work time: Create your "Origins" information page from your research. Remember - this should be elementary friendly. What you read isn't necessarily okay for younger kids, your task it to make it appropriate for them. This will be the exit ticket out of class.
Day 8-9: Writing for kids
Objective: I can draft paragraphs about my character that are elementary-student friendly for each of my topics.
- Bibliographies are due and will be checked off on your rubric (have your assignment sheet out)
- Website Evaluation using the Rubric: What are its strengths? What are its weaknesses?
- Research check: Do you have enough research? Are you prepared to draft multiple paragraphs for each heading?
- Work time: Draft what your website will say on each heading: Origins, Powers, Flaws, Conflict with Nemesis (tell the backstory), Hero or Villain (persuasive essay)
Day 10: Persuasive Essay
Objective: I know the expectations of a persuasive essay, and can make a claim and support it.
- Persuasive Essay Review: Intro (hook & claim), Weak-->Counterargument-->Strongest Argument, Conclusion (remind reader of claim)
- Work time: Continue working on the different pages' information for your website
Day 11-15: Weebly Website Creation for Elementary Students
Objective: I can use technology to teach elementary students about my hero/villain.
- Review Expected Pages on Website: See Thor or Loki examples (remember - they're not perfect)
- Weebly Instructions: How to create an account, create a site, and utilize the tutorials to create a unique website. Be sure that your webpage URL finishes with the class period you are in, and the letter B - just like the instructions below state. This is VERY important.
- Images: Students will be sent down a couple at a time this week to scan original drawings, save, then upload them to your weebly pages
- Work time: Weebly websites are due by the end of class Friday - you'll turn in your rubric with the URL on Friday for evaluation
Weebly Instructions | |
File Size: | 3288 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Day 16: Reflection & Submission
Objective: I can reflect on my overall performance when it comes to being able to research, synthesize information, and produce a website for elementary-aged children.
- On the BACK of the rubric provided, address the following questions in a paragraph reflection: How did the three stages of production go for you (address each one: research, writing your information from the research, producing the website)? What did you find the most challenging aspect of this project? What was the easiest? What did you learn from this project aside from information about your character? What could you have used more help with? What did you like? What would you change?
- Submit the rubric with your completed reflection, and your full URL so that it may be evaluated.