Obrien Purposeful Reading Writing and Learning About The World 2018 Revision
Obrien Purposeful Reading Writing and Learning About The World 2018 Revision
Obrien Purposeful Reading Writing and Learning About The World 2018 Revision
Prepared by: Lynn O’Brien School/Location: Lebanon High School, Lebanon, Indiana
Subject: Language Arts Grade: SN 9-12 (non readers/writers to third grade reading/writing ability)
Interdisciplinary Unit Title: Purposeful Reading, Writing, and Learning About the World
Time Needed: One semester
Unit Summary: By studying the book “I Will Always Write Back,” by Alifirenka and Ganda with Welch, Global Competencies:
students develop an interest in writing to audiences outside of the school. The book will provide investigate the world, recognize
enthusiasm for writing and inspiration. They will learn about another culture through their study of letters, perspectives, communicate
geography, and develop deeper understandings of the similarities and differences among people. Hook:
ideas, take action
Introduce Postcrossings, showing students how they can get cards from all over the world. We’ll have
people to write to that want to hear about what we’re doing, who we are, and where we live. We’ll be Global Goals: quality education,
learning the same about them! Show photos of Caitlin and Martin, penpals, and give them penpal of zero hunger, no poverty, good
their own to write to. health and wellbeing, clean water
and sanitation,reduced
inequalities,peace, justice and
strong institutions,
GLOBAL COMPETENCY:
RESOURCES:
Blow up Globe
Pretest/post test survey
Postcrossings.com:
correspond with others around
the world
“I Will Always Write Back,” by
Alifirenka and Ganda with
Welch
USA, Africa, and World Maps,
Salt Map/ cooking activities
Precepts (Quotes)
You Tube: Quote clip
correlations
Anonymous Question
Board/Submit a Question
United Way Poverty
Simulation Power Point and
game
Journals
Handouts: KWL chart, Cloze
Hook chapters, semester
project outlines and rubric,
character traits and stations
( geography)
“Kobu the Lion,” National
Geographic video lesson
Padlet.com: character
comparison
NewspapersGlobal.net: read
local news PA/Zimbabwe
Mentimeter.com: main idea
voting
Skype/Classroom: Zimbabwe
classroom
Prezi: student project self
evaluation/character
evaluation
360 and /or Virtual Reality
Smart Board Lessons on Main
Idea and “I Will Always Write
Back,” novel
Kindness Report
Socratic Seminar:
Kid World Citizen: student
testimonials and photos
Gapminder.org: what poverty
and wealth looks depicted in
photos from around the world
Zimbabwe music from
YouTube
Oxfam.org: Young Lives
activity
Jaxon Buckley Activity “The
Fairest Teacher of them All?”
GoNoodle.com: short clips on
character development and
brain breaks
Iwitness. Empathy Lesson
End of semester project:
Topics include: history,
geography, comparing
themselves to a character,
customs, food, local penpal,
and poverty.
Take Action Project:
Brainstorm list of ideas to help
curb hunger, or other positive
impact projects in our
community
-collect can goods for the
pantry
- create posters to encourage
recycling
- field trip to volunteer at a
center
-raise $$ to make blankets for
the homeless, etc.
Stage 2 - Evidence
Assessments FOR Learning: Can I apply what I have learned over the unit to create an
Pre unit survey topics: independent project based on an area of interest?
Poverty: looks different around the Can I communicate with others about my chosen topic? ( via a
world share fair/science fair format, rubric)
Geography: USA, PA, and Africa,
Can I communicate in writing or drawings about a new place for
Zimbabwe
me to visit and to explore?
Education: every child has a right to
a free appropriate education vs Do I know how poverty can affect people differently in different
Zimabwe’s no pay no education parts of the world?
Writing: letter writing a purpose for
it
Friendship: Qualities needed for it
Kindness Report: List tangible things
Lesson Title: Exploring the USA/Africa/ and Analysis of Characters Subject: Certificate Track
Language Arts Prepared by: Lynn O’Brien
Materials Needed: Stations One, Two, and Three Handouts, Map of USA online with state names,
physical flat map of the world with countries labeled, character chart and descriptions of characters,
journals, precept, Smart Board, “I Will Always Write Back, “ by Alifirenka and Ganda, copies of the novel
for each student, summary squares, Alphaboxes
Global Competency: Investigate the world, recognize perspectives, and communicate ideas.
Where is the lesson going? Students will be able to find Zimbabwe, PA, bordering states and
(Learning Target or SWBAT) countries, and oceans on two different maps.
Students will be able to discuss and then write from a prompt.
Students will be able to listen and follow along to a chapter from the
novel.
Students will be able to write a short summary of the chapter.
Students will be able to recall previous events.
Students will be able to analyze which character trait belongs to a
character.
Show the American dollar from the Smart Board Powerpoint. Does Non readers will be paired with
anyone recall what the Zimbabwe dollar was called, and how much higher ability students. They will
it is worth comparing to our dollar? (24-1) Why was the main turn in one sheet for their pair.
character’s mother upset about? (She thought that the main
character asked for money from his penpal….this is a matter of Higher ability group will have
pride.) less adult support.( no support
unless they are not able to
problem solve on their own.)
Equip:
Smart board
Mac
Books
Student binders
Evaluate:
Exit quiz: Topic: Why was Martin’s mom so upset with the father?