Exploring author's voice using Jane Addams Award-winning books
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=914
A lesson plan for grades 6–8 English Language Arts
In this lesson, students explore author’s voice and style using Jane Addams Award-winning books. After reading and examining The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark by Carmen Agra Deedy, a Jane Addams Honor Book in 2001, students choose another Jane Addams Award-winning book for personal investigation of author’s voice. Once students have the opportunity to explore several books that have won the award, they select the ones they would most like to read. Then, after reading one of the books, they participate in several activities evaluating author’s voice and style. Then, students create projects about their books, using the information gathered during their activities in previous class sessions. Once students have presented their projects to the class, they reflect on the activity. Readwritethink provides a book list, graphic organizers, and rubrics for the lesson.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 6
- Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives drawn from personal or related experience.
- Objective 1.02: Explore expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
- analyzing the characteristics of expressive works.
- determining the effect of literary devices and/or strategies on the reader/viewer/listener.
- making connections between works, self and related topics.
- comparing and/or contrasting information.
- drawing inferences and/or conclusions.
- determining the main idea and/or significance of events.
- generating a learning log or journal.
- creating an artistic interpretation that connects self to the work.
- discussing books/media formally and informally.
- Objective 1.02: Explore expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- Goal 4: The learner will use critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate print and non-print materials.
- Objective 4.01: Determine the purpose of the author or creator by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
- exploring any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors, or propaganda techniques.
- identifying and exploring the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.
- analyzing the effects of the author's craft on the reader/viewer/listener.
- Objective 4.01: Determine the purpose of the author or creator by:
Grade 7
- Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives in response to personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.
- Objective 1.02: Explore expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
- summarizing the characteristics of expressive works.
- determining the importance of literary effects on the reader/viewer/listener.
- making connections between works, self and related topics.
- comparing and/or contrasting information.
- drawing inferences and/or conclusions.
- determining the main idea and/or significance of events.
- generating a learning log or journal.
- maintaining an annotated list of works read/viewed.
- creating an artistic interpretation that connects self and/or society to the selection.
- constructing and presenting book/media reviews.
- Objective 1.02: Explore expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- Goal 4: The learner will refine critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate text and multimedia.
- Objective 4.01: Analyze the purpose of the author or creator by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
- examining any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors, or propaganda techniques.
- exploring and evaluating the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.
- understanding the effect of the author's craft on the reader/viewer/listener.
- Objective 4.01: Analyze the purpose of the author or creator by:
Grade 8
- Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives through analysis of personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.
- Objective 1.02: Analyze expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
- reviewing the characteristics of expressive works.
- determining the importance of literary effects on the reader/viewer/listener.
- making connections between works, self and related topics.
- drawing inferences.
- generating a learning log or journal.
- maintaining an annotated list of works that are read or viewed, including personal reactions.
- taking an active role in and/or leading formal/informal book/media talks.
- Objective 1.02: Analyze expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
- Goal 4: The learner will continue to refine critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate print and non-print materials.
- Objective 4.01: Analyze the purpose of the author or creator and the impact of that purpose by:
- monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
- evaluating any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors, and/or propaganda techniques.
- evaluating the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.
- evaluate the effects of the author's craft on the reader/viewer/listener.
- Objective 4.01: Analyze the purpose of the author or creator and the impact of that purpose by:
