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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Alphabiography project: Totally you

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=937

A lesson plan for grades 6–8 English Language Arts

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In this lesson, students are engaged in a narrative writing project after reading James Howe’s Totally Joe, a young adult novel about a boy named Joe who deals with many adolescent issues—friendships, school, and coming to terms about his homosexuality. After reading the book, students use Joe’s story as a model for writing alphabiographies which are short narratives describing an event, person, object, or feeling associated with each letter of the alphabet. Working together, the students and teacher collaboratively decide the guidelines for the project, establishing deadlines, format, and other assessment criteria. After students have completed all entries of their alphabiographies, they write a letter to the teacher that will serve as an introduction to their piece. Students then share their work with the class. In addition to providing sample alphabiography entries, an example student self-assessment, and links to online graphic organizers, Readwritethink also suggests links to websites that promote tolerance and offer supportive educational resources for gay, lesbian, and straight students.

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 1.01: Narrate an expressive account (e.g., fictional or autobiographical) which:
      • uses a coherent organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context.
      • tells a story or establishes the significance of an event or events.
      • uses remembered feelings and specific details.
      • uses a range of appropriate strategies (e.g., dialogue, suspense, movement, gestures, expressions).
    • 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.

Grade 7

  • Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives in response to personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.
    • Objective 1.01: Narrate an account such as a news story or historical episode which:
      • creates a coherent organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context.
      • orients the reader/listener to the scene, the people, and the events.
      • engages the reader/listener by establishing a context and creating a point of view.
      • establishes the signficance of events.
    • 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.

Grade 8

  • Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives through analysis of personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.
    • Objective 1.01: Narrate a personal account which:
      • creates a coherent, organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context.
      • establishes a point of view and sharpens focus.
      • uses remembered feelings.
      • selects details that best illuminate the topic.
      • connects events to self/society.
    • 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.