Beacon Lesson Plan Library
What's the Story?
Janice Wilkins
Santa Rosa District Schools
Description
Using the novel The Giver by Lois Lowry, students write a continuation story based on Jonas’s and Gabriel’s journeys into Elsewhere.
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
LA.B.1.3.2.7.1
The student focuses on a central idea or topic (for example, excluding loosely related, extraneous, or repetitious information).
LA.B.1.3.2.7.5
The student demonstrates a command of the language (including but not limited to precise word choice, appropriate figurative language).
LA.E.2.3.3.7.1
The student recognizes that a literary text elicit a variety of valid responses.
Florida Process Standards
Information Managers
01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.
Effective Communicators
02 Florida students communicate in English and other languages using information, concepts, prose, symbols, reports, audio and video recordings, speeches, graphic displays, and computer-based programs.
Cooperative Workers
08 Florida students work cooperatively to successfully complete a project or activity.
Materials
- Class copies of novel The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Paper,
- Pen or pencil
- Chart paper
- Markers
- Transparency of Rubric Scoring for Ideas and Word Choice
Preparations
1. Complete reading of the novel The Giver by Lois Lowry.
2. Prepare transparency of scoring rubrics for ideas and word choice.
3. Collect all materials for group work.
Procedures
BACKGROUND: Students have had prior instruction on the Six Traits of Writing Rubric and have read the novel The Giver by Lois Lowry.
1. Teacher reviews Rubric Scoring for Ideas and Word Choice on overhead for class.
2. Teacher divides students into groups of four.
3. Teacher instructs groups to discuss ideas for what happens as Jonas and Gabriel enter Elsewhere. Students record ideas on chart paper.
4. Students, as a group, write a continuation of the story of Jonas' and Gabe’s adventures in Elsewhere.
5. Students choose a storyteller to share the story with class.
6. Teacher scores stories using the Six Traits of Writing Scoring Rubrics for Ideas and Word Choice. (See Web Links)
Assessments
The teacher assesses the students' stories using the rubric for scoring ideas and word choice. The rubrics are from Vicki Spandell's Six Traits of Writing.(See Web site www.nwrel.org/eval/writing or www.nwrel.org/eval/writing/definitions.html.)
Extensions
This activity may be used with any novel.
Web Links
Web supplement for What's the Story? 6+1 TRAITS of WRITING Rubrics and Definitions
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