Strand: Writing Applications
Standard: Creative - The student develops and demonstrates creative writing.
A. Purpose of the Unit/Concept (long term goals):
To improve reading comprehension in order for students to think more analytically when reading different texts.
B. Objectives for this lesson (short term goals):
Students will be able to:
- Develop an envisionment of J. R. R. Tolkein’s Middle-Earth in preparation for approaching The Hobbit.
- Experiment with characterization through creative writing as part of developing a brief journey.
C. Process/Procedures for Students:
1. Students will be asked to use their background knowledge to clarify specific terms that will be on the board.
2. Students will view a trailer of the hobbit incorporating those terms so that they may form a more concrete envisionment to approach The Hobbit with.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGMfq6ArC6Q&NR=1)
3. Students will take out a sheet of paper and begin a writing roulette using the words on the board and writing a story with them involving a journey. Students will be instructed to include characterization as possible within the brief context and matching what has been established about the character by the class.
4. Students will swap papers with their neighbor every 1.5 minutes and continuing writing on their neighbor's story as their neighbor writes on their own.
5. After multiple iterations the story will revolve back to the original writer and that writer will have a chance to write a last section before being given the opportunity to share the journey that has been developed aloud with the class D. Process/Procedures for Teachers:
To prepare for this activity, we will create a list of words that are relevant to The Hobbit that expose students to the idea of journey and Tolkein’s world. We will also make handouts about the unit to give to students.
- Introduction:
o To introduce the lesson, we will ask students the descriptions that they associate with for particular words.
-We will show students a fan-made trailer of the hobbit to aid in their envisionment
o We will describe their activity, a writing roulette assignment that allows them to use vocabulary words to create a journey.
o We will give students approximately one minute or so per word. When all words have been used, we will ask for volunteers to read their story aloud.
- Closing/Summation:
o We will include our rationale for the activity.
o We will relate this activity to the unit we will be working on for the next several weeks. E. Materials Needed:
Paper, pencil, handouts, computer, projector
F. Assessment:
A formative assessment will be made on the class discussion. The discussion will demonstrate whether or not the class already has a firm hold on the vocabulary. If they do not, more instruction will be required to familiarize them with it, such as overt instruction that defines the words and provides explicit examples, like visual representations of the definitions. Assessment will be made to determine if students correctly used words in sentences.
G. Accommodations:
ESOL students will be accommodated by having them form smaller groups to allow them the opportunity to speak in a less intimidating environment. They will be given a list of the vocabulary words, along with their definitions and pictures. They will be handed visual organizers that will help them use the vocabulary words in sentences. In their groups, they will take turns reading their stories out loud.
Sunshine State Standards Benchmarks:
LA.910.4.1.2 - The student will incorporate figurative language, emotions, gestures, rhythm, dialogue, characterization, plot, and appropriate format.
Unit Plan: The Hero’s Journey
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What is a “hero”?
What is a hero’s journey and how does The Hobbit explore this genre?
How does the idea of hero’s journey relate to other texts?
How does The Hobbit relate to character development and the rules of the world?
Standard: Creative - The student develops and demonstrates creative writing.
A. Purpose of the Unit/Concept (long term goals):
To improve reading comprehension in order for students to think more analytically when reading different texts.
B. Objectives for this lesson (short term goals):
Students will be able to:
- Develop an envisionment of J. R. R. Tolkein’s Middle-Earth in preparation for approaching The Hobbit.
- Experiment with characterization through creative writing as part of developing a brief journey.
C. Process/Procedures for Students:
1. Students will be asked to use their background knowledge to clarify specific terms that will be on the board.
2. Students will view a trailer of the hobbit incorporating those terms so that they may form a more concrete envisionment to approach The Hobbit with.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGMfq6ArC6Q&NR=1)
3. Students will take out a sheet of paper and begin a writing roulette using the words on the board and writing a story with them involving a journey. Students will be instructed to include characterization as possible within the brief context and matching what has been established about the character by the class.
4. Students will swap papers with their neighbor every 1.5 minutes and continuing writing on their neighbor's story as their neighbor writes on their own.
5. After multiple iterations the story will revolve back to the original writer and that writer will have a chance to write a last section before being given the opportunity to share the journey that has been developed aloud with the class
D. Process/Procedures for Teachers:
To prepare for this activity, we will create a list of words that are relevant to The Hobbit that expose students to the idea of journey and Tolkein’s world. We will also make handouts about the unit to give to students.
- Introduction:
o To introduce the lesson, we will ask students the descriptions that they associate with for particular words.
-We will show students a fan-made trailer of the hobbit to aid in their envisionment
o We will describe their activity, a writing roulette assignment that allows them to use vocabulary words to create a journey.
o We will give students approximately one minute or so per word. When all words have been used, we will ask for volunteers to read their story aloud.
- Closing/Summation:
o We will include our rationale for the activity.
o We will relate this activity to the unit we will be working on for the next several weeks.
E. Materials Needed:
Paper, pencil, handouts, computer, projector
F. Assessment:
A formative assessment will be made on the class discussion. The discussion will demonstrate whether or not the class already has a firm hold on the vocabulary. If they do not, more instruction will be required to familiarize them with it, such as overt instruction that defines the words and provides explicit examples, like visual representations of the definitions. Assessment will be made to determine if students correctly used words in sentences.
G. Accommodations:
ESOL students will be accommodated by having them form smaller groups to allow them the opportunity to speak in a less intimidating environment. They will be given a list of the vocabulary words, along with their definitions and pictures. They will be handed visual organizers that will help them use the vocabulary words in sentences. In their groups, they will take turns reading their stories out loud.
Sunshine State Standards Benchmarks:
LA.910.4.1.2 - The student will incorporate figurative language, emotions, gestures, rhythm, dialogue, characterization, plot, and appropriate format.
Unit Plan: The Hero’s Journey
- What is a “hero”?
- What is a hero’s journey and how does The Hobbit explore this genre?
- How does the idea of hero’s journey relate to other texts?
- How does The Hobbit relate to character development and the rules of the world?
Texts:- The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkein
- Up directed by Pete Doctor
- The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
- The Matrix - Joseph Campbell Monomyth
- __http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=8AG4rlGkCRU__
Culminating Project:- Wiki
- Movie trailer – Create a movie trailer for The Hobbit
- Photo album – Create a photo album of main characters. Include symbols and quotes to represent each character. Compile characters into single album.
- Encyclopedia – Create an encyclopedia of places, species, and key items (enchanted jewelry, ancient maps, magical barriers, enchanted weapons, etc.)
- Storyboard – Create a storyboard of scenes you believe to be most important. Attach your rationale for why you chose those scenes.
Graphic Organizers:Link: __http://fantasycup.wikispaces. com/__