Project Title: Who is: A story that must be told/heard
Grades: Upper Elementary
Content Area: ELA (narrative reading/writing, research, production of writing, speaking and listening), SS extension options, 21st century skills: agency, written communication
Duration: 2 weeks
Overview: This project will explore the process and production of writing a “Who Is” book about an important figure with an untold story. Students will engage in research, reflection, revision and exhibition. At the conclusion of this virtual project students will create a published book in the format of a “Who Is” story that will be shared and celebrated in a virtual author event.
Final product: Students will complete 5 Benchmarks, or phases, of this project to move through the entire production and publishing process. At the conclusion of the projects student will have created a published book to share with an audience in a virtual Author event.
DQ: How might we, as young authors, tell the story of an important figure from our community? Or How might we celebrate the story of an important figure in our community?
- EQ: What is a “Who is” story?
- EQ: How do you tell someone’s story?
- EQ: What is the process for publishing a book?
Launch:
- Students will play a game of Virtual headbands/21 questions/2 truths and a lie with people from the “Who is” series
- Ask students “What do these people all have in common?” Share that the people from the game are all individuals from the “Who Is” book series. Ask if students are familiar with this series and show them some excerpts and features from the books.
- Share the project DQ, graphic of book production process, final product and ask NTKs—> record in a google Doc or Padlet.
Research:
Students will move through the following steps to prepare to research the person they plan to write their story about:
- Analyze models of “Who is” series using a Visible Thinking Routine
- Brainstorm topics for story (revisit DQ), feedback
- Students will have a wide variety of research options including:* interviewing, Newsela articles (if available), reading grade-level biographical or informational text, viewing approved Documentaries, conducting internet research. At the conclusion of the research phase students will complete the graphic organizer provided. *how to conduct interviews resources here
Student Reflection:
- Reflect on the writing process- what has it been like to move through each step/phase of the writing process? What has been exciting? What has been challenging? What has been beneficial?
- Reflect on feedback you received about your writing- what was helpful? What changes will you apply to your writing to make it better?
- Revisit Knows/Need To Knows- what have you learned about the writing process? What do you still need to know in order to publish your final product and share it at our author event?
Create, Benchmarks:
To create your published book we will need to move through 5 phases that will help us with the writing process- from brainstorming, to researching, drafting, revising and producing and designing our book.
- Benchmark 1: Research graphic organizer (Google Doc)
- Benchmark 2: Analyze Models + success criteria, Writing draft 1 (Google Doc)
- Benchmark 3: author talk (guest speaker/expert if possible) + Critique/ “reviews”, feedback, revision (tech options: Flipgrid, padlet, google docs, booksnaps), writing draft #2
- Benchmark 4: Production- cover, formatting for reader experience, platform/app upload (Shutterfly, book creator, Blurb, Lulu, Padlet)
- Benchmark 5: SYL virtual author event!
Critique/Feedback:
Teachers will have several options for students to engage in critique and feedback:
- Self revision, Peer checklist with success criteria established when analyzing models
- Virtual critique (outlined HERE for August publish)
- Google comments from teacher
- Flipgrid or padlet comments from the class
*collect reviews for book jackets!
Culminating Event: LIVE Author Event!
Students will simulate an author book tour-format:
- 5 minutes to share “the why” of their story and read a favorite excerpt from the book.
- 5 minute Q & A
- At the conclusion students will add a digital signature and teacher will provide a digital book seal/badge for student to add to published product!