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VITAL=20 INFORMATION

Subject(s):

Language Arts (English)

Topic = or Unit of=20 Study:

Short Stories
Mystery

Grade/Level:

8-12

Objective:

The student will use the elements of a = story (i.e.=20 setting, plot, characters, foreshadowing) to create suspense and = mystery=20 in writing. The student utilize a hotlist to research successful = writers,=20 story elements, and plot map.

Summary:

This lesson is designed to not only allow = students=20 to practice their writing skills, but also to research other = writers. This=20 will allow the student to read a new genre in writing and to see = what=20 "works" in writing this genre.

IMPLEMENTATION

Learning Context:=20

Writing is one of the staples in = education. The=20 students have been studying writing since they entered school. = This=20 assignement will assist the students in writing creatively, = researching,=20 and will force them to plan the story they wish to write utilizing = tools=20 they have learned (i.e. brainstorming, timelines, = etc.)

Procedure:

1. To begin, meet with the media = specialist to who=20 will instruct the students on how to utilize a hotlist.

2. = Select=20 two short stories, either from the sites on teh hotlist or on your = own.=20 Carefully read the stories taking notes on elements of the story = that make=20 it work as a mystery.

3. Create a brainstorm list of ideas = for=20 your mystery story. Feel free to use ideas or subject matters from = other=20 stories. Be careful: be sure to make these ideas your = own.

4. Map=20 out the plot of your story.

5. Compose a of 4-6 page = story.=20

6. Meet with your assigned groups (of 4) for peer review = of the=20 stories. Time should be taken to talk about what is good about the = story=20 as well as what needs some work.

7. Rewrite story taking = into=20 account advice/suggestions from peer review.

8. All = materials must=20 be turned in including: notes on original stories read, brainstorm = notes,=20 plot map, and all drafts of paper.

Differentiated=20 Instruction:

Students will be given requirements both = written=20 and verbally. Students will be given class time to meet with other = students to share their stories and be given feedback. Time with = teacher=20 will also be available if needed/requested.

Sample Student=20 Products:

Not available

Collaboration:

Students will work collaboratively &=20 individually. Students will work in groups of 4.

Time = Allotment:

5 class periods. 1 Hr per = class.

Author's Comments=20 & Reflections:

The allotted class time will consist = mostly of=20 group work. Most of the writing and research of the genre will = take place=20 as homework to the students. The first class will be dedicated to=20 introducing the assignement and assisting with finding stories and = starting the research.

MATERIALS AND=20 RESOURCES

Instructional=20 Materials:

Materials to be = used:

Compters
Microsoft=20 Word
Internet Explorer or other web browser

Attached=20 Hotlist

Pen/Paper/Highighter (used for notes, = brainstorming, plot=20 map, revisions)

Books as needed

Resources:

Attachments

hotlist.doc
intel.doc

STANDARDS &=20 ASSESSMENT

Standards:

USA- American Assc. of School Librarians: = Info.=20 Literacy Standards for Student=20 Learning

=95 Area = : Information = Literacy
From=20 Chapter 2, "Information Literacy Standards for Student = Learning," of Information Power: Building = Partnerships for=20 Learning by American Association of School = Librarians and=20 Association for Educational Communications and = Technology.=20 Copyright 1998 American Library Association and = Association=20 for Educational Communications and Technology. = Reprinted by=20 permission of the American Library=20 Association.

Standard 1: The student who is = information literate accesses information = efficiently=20 and = effectively.

Standard 2: The student who is = information literate evaluates information = critically=20 and = competently

Standard 3: The student who is = information literate uses information accurately = and=20 = creatively

=95 Area = : Independent = Learning
From=20 Chapter 2, "Information Literacy Standards for Student = Learning," of Information Power: Building = Partnerships for=20 Learning by American Association of School = Librarians and=20 Association for Educational Communications and = Technology.=20 Copyright 1998 American Library Association and = Association=20 for Educational Communications and Technology. = Reprinted by=20 permission of the American Library=20 Association.

Standard 5: The student who is = an=20 independent learner is information literate and=20 appreciates literature and other creative = expressions of=20 = information.

MI- Michigan Grade Level Content=20 Expectations

=95 Subject = : ENGLISH LANGUAGE=20 ARTS

=95 Grade = : EIGHTH = GRADE

=95 Strand = : WRITING

=95 Topic = : Writing = Genres

Expectation : W.GN.08.01 Write a = cohesive,=20 narrative piece that includes appropriate = conventions to=20 the genre (e.g., historical fiction, science = fiction,=20 realistic fiction) and employ literary and plot = devices=20 (e.g., narrator credibility, rising and falling = actions,=20 and/or conflict, transitional language, and=20 = imagery).

=95 Topic = : Writing = Process

Expectation : W.PR.08.01 Set a = purpose,=20 consider audience, and replicate authors=92 = styles and=20 patterns when writing narrative or informational = = text.

Expectation : W.PR.08.02 Apply a = variety=20 of pre-writing strategies for narrative text = (e.g.,=20 story maps designed to depict rising and falling = actions, roles of minor characters, credibility = of=20 narrator) and informational text (e.g.,=20 compare/contrast, cause and effect, sequential = text=20 = patterns).

Expectation : W.PR.08.04 Review = and revise=20 their compositions for coherence and consistency = regarding word choice, cause and effect, and = style, and=20 they will read their own work from another = reader=92s=20 perspective in the interest of=20 = clarity.

Expectation : W.PR.08.05 Edit = their=20 writing using proofreaders=92 checklists both = individually=20 and in peer editing=20 group.

=95 Topic = : Spelling

Expectation : W.SP.08.01 = Students will use=20

Mysterious short story