Unit+of+Instruction



**Famous Authors Unit

** Author: Laurie Warner Primary Subject: //Language Arts// Grade Level: 6th

= Introduction: =

//In this unit, students will learn many concepts related to reading and writing. Students will practice reading fluency and comprehension. Students will also learn and practice writing mechanics and proper grammar. Technology will play an important role in this unit as students learn new ways to present their ideas. // Unit Objectives:

Time Required: // Approximately two weeks. Lessons are approximately 1 ½ hours a day, incorporating all of the literacy block for Reading and Writing. //
 * //Students will understand how to plan, draft and revise their writing using proper grammar and writing mechanics. //
 * //Students will be able to effectively communicate ideas with others using verbal skills, web tools, and writing skills. //
 * //Students will increase their vocabulary by keeping a journal of unknown words and using their new vocabulary in their writing. //
 * //Students will be able to communicate their thoughts by presenting to the class and by communicating through our class blog. //
 * //Students will learn to recognize literature as a record of human experience. //
 * //Students will be able to work effectively in small groups. //

Lesson 1 - Day 1
 // Title of lesson: Discussion of famous authors and famous authors field trip and scavenger hunt. Play the animoto video below to see some of the authors we may study. //

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//This first lesson will be a discussion of famous authors and books. Students will be asked to share their personal favorite authors and/or books. At the end of this discussion, students will be separated in groups of 4-5 students and given the chance to choose the author they would like to study. // 1. First we will go on a little scavenger hunt in search of authors. For the first 30 minutes or so, we will go on a web field search to get to know a few authors. Just click on the link below and follow the directions on the scavenger hunt.

[|Scavenger Hunt.doc]

2. Now that we've learned a few authors' names, we will vote on groups and the authors each group will study.

3. Finally, we will choose together the book that each group will read.

Assignment (homework or in-class): //In class, groups will decide on the novel they will read for guided reading groups and complete the Author Scavenger Hunt. The author of the group’s chosen book will be the author the group will study together. Each student will write his/her own research paper. // Resources/materials needed: // For this lesson, various books will be offered to students for group novels. Novels may be adjusted to fit the reading levels of students. Examples of the novels to be offered are: //  
 * //__ The Giver __////, by Lois Lowry. //
 * //__ Where the Red Fern Grows __////, by Wilson Rawles //
 * //__ Rules __////, by Cynthia Lord //
 * //__ Raven’s Gate __////, by Anthony Horowitz //

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">
// Title of Lesson: Research using books and guided reading groups //

//<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #333399; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In this lesson, we will begin to research the authors. Students will be encouraged to begin research by looking up the authors in books. At this time, students will also begin reading their group novels. //

<span style="font-size: 130%; color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">To get started on getting to know a few authors, click on the play button of the player below.

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The first video is an interview with Lois Lowry, the author of __The Giver__ and __Number the Stars__. Videos 2 and 3 are an interview with Anthony Horowitz, author of __Stormbreaker__. Finally, there is an interview with Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine. I hope you enjoy getting to know a little about these authors. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> // In class, students will research their given authors by looking for information in books and taking notes. Homework will be reading the first section of their book. The actual number of pages read will be assigned to each group depending on book length, with the idea to finish the book within two weeks. //

// Students will need their given guided reading book and access to the library to find books about their authors. //

Lesson 3
Title of lesson: // Research using the Internet and guided reading groups //

//<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #333399; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We will continue our author research using the Internet in addition to books. Guided reading groups will begin to meet to discuss the books they are reading. In guided reading groups, students discuss their reading. In these groups, students will learn how to make inferences as to what will happen in the book. Concurrently with this research project, students will work on a side research project on the pros and cons of censorship. //

<span style="font-size: 130%; color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">We will begin our second research project today on the pros and cons of censorship. You will research both sides of the debate and create a research paper. Upon completion of the research paper, we will have a class debate on the topic, including a question-and-answer period. To access complete information on this project, follow the link below.

[|The Great Censorship Debate] Assignment (homework or in-class): // Students will access the Internet during class to research their authors. Time will also be given in class to meet with reading groups. I will meet with each group to guide their discussions. Homework will be to read the next section of group novels. //

Resources/materials needed: // Computers with Internet access and guided reading books. Access to "The Great Censorship Debate" below. //

Lesson 4
Title of lesson: // Creating a newsletter //

<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">We are now beginning to put together a newsletter using Letterpop. The newsletter should include pictures of the author and titles of his/her books. The text of the newsletter should include important information about the author, such as if the author uses his/her real name when writing, where the author was born, etc. Click the link below to see an example of the newsletter you will be expected to complete.

[] Assignment (homework or in-class): // Students will be given time in class to create a newsletter. Homework will be for students to read the next section of their group novels. //

Resources/materials needed: // Letterpop, notes on your author //

Lesson 5
Title of lesson: // Creating a slideshow //

<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">//<span style="color: #333399; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Students will use Bubbleshare to share books written by their author and photos of their author. Students will also work on censorship research. //

For an example of what the Bubbleshare projects will look like, see the slideshow below. To start the slideshow, click on the arrow in the upper left corner.

<span style="display: block; font-size: 9px; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">media type="custom" key="3534988" Assignment (homework or in-class): // In class, students will be instructed on using Bubbleshare and will create their slideshows.

Homework will be to read the next section of their group novels and to describe a theme of their choosing, giving examples from the text to support their theme. //

Resources/materials needed: // Guided reading book, Bubbleshare, rough draft and/or notes on authors.

In today's lesson we will create a newsletter about our authors. The newsletter will tell us the important details about the author and should include a picture of the author. Click on the link below to see an example. When you are ready to begin your newsletter, go to [|Letterpop]. We will create a class Letterpop account where we will keep everyone's newsletters. //

Lesson 6
Title of lesson: // Tour of Author Birthplaces and Theme Discussion //

<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Today we will go on a Google Earth tour of the birthplaces of authors we have discussed. Click on the link below to join the tour. Each stop has an activity to complete, so read the instructions carefully.

Assignment (homework or in-class): // In class, students will work on final drafts after meeting with me. Reading groups will also meet for theme discussion as well as comprehension of group novels. Homework will be to read the next portion of the group novels. Final drafts will be homework if not completed in class. //

Resources/materials needed: // Group novel, computer for typing final draft //

Lesson 7
Title of lesson: // Vocaroo and Group Discussions. Censorship research will be finished by this time. //

//<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #333399; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Students will be given instruction on creating a Vocaroo, a voice recording. Groups will work together to create one Vocaroo for their chosen author. Each student will participate in recording a presentation about their author to share with their classmates. The emphasis on this unit is the research and reading group novels, so Vocaroo presentations are to be brief and completed in one to two days with important points noted. //

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Today we will create a Vocaroo. Click [|here] to go to Vocaroo and record your presentation. Using the microphone attached to the computer, each group will do a Vocaroo about their author. Each student must speak. Share the information you learned about your author. You may use your notes and/or your newsletter. Below is a Vocaroo on Dr. Seuss to show you how it works.

media type="custom" key="3541264" <span style="color: #333399; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Assignment (homework or in-class): // Today we will learn how to create a Vocaroo. A Vocaroo is a recording of your voice. Each group will create their own Vocaroo, giving information about their author. Each person must participate and share information in the Vocaroo. Groups can add information about the book they have been reading as well. //

Resources/materials needed: // Computer with Internet access to record Vocaroo, and group novel //

Lesson 8
Title of lesson: // Vocaroo and Group Novel //

//<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #333399; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Students will continue to work on their Vocaroo presentations with their groups. Most students will complete this on this day and will be given time to read their group novels once they have finished the Vocaroo. Group novels need to be completed by Lesson 10. // Assignment (homework or in-class): // Work on presentations in class. Homework will be to read the next portion of the group novel. //

Resources/materials needed: // Computer with Internet access, group novel //

Lesson 9
Title of lesson: // Finish presentations, research papers and Group Novel //

//<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #333399; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Vocaroos will be completed today and groups will listen to the author presentations of other groups. Groups will meet with me to discuss their novels, which should be completed for tomorrow. An assessment will be given on group novels tomorrow. // Assignment (homework or in-class): // Students will be given time in class to complete their research. (Must be completed today.) When finished, students can read their group novels, which also must be finished for test tomorrow. Homework will be to complete PowerPoint if not finished in class and to finish reading the group novel and study for the test. //

Resources/materials needed: // Computer with PowerPoint, group novel //

Lesson 10
Title of lesson: // Group novel assessments. Censorship debate. //

// Today students will take their final assessment on their group novels. The assessment will also include questions about the new technology we've learned, including Vocaroo, Letterpop, and Bubbleshare, as well as information on conducting research. //

<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Our censorship debate will take place today. Half of the students will debate for censorship and half of the students will debate against censorship. You will be given 5 to 10 minutes to prepare for the debate once you know which side of the debate you are on. Make sure you have information to back up your side of the debate.

Assignment (homework or in-class): // Assessment during class, no homework //

Resources/materials needed: // Assessment given by teacher //