Interdisciplinary writing unit

4th GradeNarrative: Short

StorySeminole IndiansBy Katrina Crawford

Georgia Writing Test: Grade 5

• Given the first week of March• Taken in one day• 120 minutes•Make-up tests next day•More time for IEP, TPP, or Section

504

Georgia Writing Test: Grade 5

• Prompt for one of three genres: narrative, informational, or persuasive

• Assessed on style, ideas, organization, and conventions

• Students, strengths and weaknesses • Teachers, direction and planning

Georgia Writing Test: Grade 5

• Analytic Scoring–More than one feature or domain is

evaluated

• Four domains–Ideas• Content

Georgia Writing Test: Grade 5

–Organization• Flow, logical, effective

–Style• Sentence structure, tone, word choice

–Conventions• Spelling, punctuation, capitalization,

grammar, and paragraphing

Georgia Writing Test: Grade 5

• Domain Scoring–Content = 40%–Organization– Style combined = 60%–Conventions

Pre-assessment Prompt• Students will be given a pre-assessment writing

assignment to help the teacher know the student’s strengths and weaknesses. Teachers can use this information to plan and create a more effective teaching unit for narrative writing and the writing process.

• Materials:– Pencils–Wide-ruled paper–Whiteboard– Dry erase markers

Pre-Assessment Prompt

• Students will be instructed to write a narrative short story using the following prompts:– The Year Summer Vacation Was Canceled– An Unusual Day at School– If There Were No Trees– The Edge of the World

• Benefits to teachers– Provides useful information to help teachers plan

writing units

Grouping

• Teacher’s Instructional Needs–Whole Group: • Saves time•Allows students to ask questions and

receive feedback•Helps teacher see where students

may have difficulties

Grouping

–Small Group• Collaboration• Peer assistance

• Students’ Needs–Stages of Development• More time to complete assignments• One-on-one instruction time• Peer buddy

Grouping

–Cultural or Linguistic•More time to complete assignments• One-on-one instruction• Peer buddy

Explanation of Genre/Mode of Writing

• Narrative Writing– Real or fictitious – Tells a story– Entertains the reader

• Narrative writing elements:–Beginning• Characters• Setting• Introduction to conflict/problem

Explanation of Genre/Mode of Writing

–Middle• Events that relate to the

conflict/problem–Leads to resolution of the

conflict/problem–Ending•Contains resolution to the

conflict/problem

Explanation of Prewriting

• Getting-ready-to-write-stage• Most important part of the writing process• Writer must determine– Topic– Form– Audience– Purpose

Explanation of Prewriting

• Prewriting Process– Explore resources– Take notes– Organize information using graphic organizer

Prewriting Related to Unit

• Topic: Seminole Indians

• Audience: Classmates

• Purpose: Entertainment

• Form: Short Story

Graphic Organizer

Teacher’s Scoring Guide

Accommodations and/or Modifications

• Developmental Needs of Students– Two students who are below grade level• One-on-one with teacher• Peer buddy• More time to complete assignments

• Cultural and/or Linguistic Needs of Students– One student who is bilingual• One-on-one with teacher• Peer buddy• More time to complete assignments

Drafting

• Explanation of Drafting– Second step of the writing process– Putting thoughts and ideas on paper• First or “lead” sentence often the most difficult to write

– Rough draft• Skip lines to leave space for revising and editing• Do not focus on spelling and punctuation at this point

Teacher’s Scoring Guide

Revising

• Explanation of Revising– Third step in the writing process– Make changes to the rough draft by:• Adding• Substituting• Deleting• Rearranging

– Use proofreading marks to revise

Teacher’s Scoring Guide

Editing

• Explanation of Editing– The fourth step in the writing process– Focus on mechanics• Sentence structure• Capitalization• Punctuation• Spelling

– Use proofreading marks to edit

Practice Activity for Editing• Place copy of proofreading marks on the

overhead and explain each one• Give students a list of proofreading marks• Place a copy of an unedited paragraph on the

overhead• Work with the students to edit the paragraph

using the proofreading marks.• Give each student an unedited paragraph• Instruct students to use the list to edit the

paragraph

Teacher’s Scoring Guide

Publishing

• Explanation of Publishing– Final step in the writing process• Fun stage of the writing process• Correct all errors• Make all changes• Write in best handwriting or type• Prepare to share with audience

– Ways to publish• books, newspaper, “author’s chair”, mobile, contests

Teacher’s Scoring Guide

Thank You!