Unit: Children’s Literature

Grade Level: Third Grade

Objective:

Students will be able to act and produce the play, “Never Laugh at a Shoelace” using the digital video camera.
Students will be able to act and produce the play, “Bebe’s Baby Brother” using the digital video camera.
Students will be able to act and produce the play, “Stephen” using the digital video camera.

English Language Arts Standards and Benchmarks:

Michigan English Language Arts Standard: Meaning and Communication: Content Standard 1:

All students will read and comprehend general and technical material.

Benchmark 1.1

Using reading for multiple purposes, such as enjoyment, gathering information, learning new procedures, and increasing conceptual understanding.

Michigan English Language Arts Standard: Meaning and Communication: Content Standard 2:

All students will demonstrate the ability to write clear and grammatically correct sentences, paragraphs, and compositions.

Benchmark 2.1

Write fluently for multiple purposes to produce compositions, such as stories, reports, letters, plays, and explanations of processes.

Michigan English Language Arts Standard: Skills and Processes: Content Standard 7:

All students will demonstrate, analyze, and reflect upon the skills and processes used to communicate through listening, speaking, viewing, reading, and writing.

Benchmark 7.4

Develop and use a variety of strategies for planning, drafting, revising, and editing different forms of texts for specific purposes.

Michigan English Language Arts Standard: Genre and Craft of Language: Content Standard 8:

All students will explore and use the characteristics of different types of texts, aesthetic elements, and mechanics—including text structure, figurative and descriptive language, spelling, punctuation, and grammar—to construct and convey meaning.

Benchmark 8.2:

Identify and use elements of various narrative genre and story elements to convey ideas and perspectives.

National Educational Technology Standards for Students:

National Educational Technology Standards for Students (Grades 3-5): Content Standard 1: Basic operations and concepts:

Benchmark 1:

Use keyboards and other common input and output devices (including adaptive devices when necessary) efficiently and effectively. (1)

Benchmark 2:

Discuss common uses of technology in daily life and the advantages and disadvantages those uses provide. (1,2)

National Educational Technology Standards for Students (Grades 3-5): Content Standard 2: Social, ethical, and human issues:

Benchmark 3:

Discuss basic issues related to responsible use of technology and information and describe personal consequences of inappropriate use. (2)

National Educational Technology Standards for Students (Grades 3-5): Content Standard 3: Technology productivity tools:

Benchmark 4:

Use general purpose productivity tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, remediate skill deficits, and facilitate learning throughout the curriculum. (3)

Benchmark 5:

Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, Web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom. (3,4)

National Educational Technology Standards for Students (Grades 3-5): Content Standard 5: Technology research tools:

Benchmark 8:

Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes, videos, educational software) for problem solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. (5,6)

Benchmark 9:

Determine when technology is useful and select the appropriate tool(s) and technology resources to address a variety of tasks and problems. (5,6)

National Educational Technology Standards for Students (Grades 3-5): Content Standard 6: Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools:

Benchmark 10:

Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information sources. (6)

Time Allotted: 3 weeks

Materials:

Digital video camera
Props

Anticipatory Set:

The teacher will begin by informing students about their Louis Sachar plays. Students will be asked to select three chapters from the Wayside School Series by Louis Sachar. Children will be separated into groups of three and asked to decide upon character roles. When final votes have been decided, students will be asked to practice their plays in front of the class.

Modeling:

The teacher will begin by demonstrating how turn on/off the digital video camera. The teacher will then show the students how to focus the lens and record. Students will also have enough time to play around with other additional features, but are only responsible for recording.

Guided Practice:

Students will be responsible for practicing their plays as a group for two weeks. They will also be responsible for preparing props and other materials. Final performances will take place in our classroom. All students’ at Iris Becker Elementary are welcome to come and see our plays.

Independent Practice:

Students will be responsible for filming their classmate’s plays. In addition, they will be responsible for editing and inserting special graphics.

Closure:

Praise students for their wonderful job. Inform students that all plays will be shown near the end of the MITTEN Project. Thank students for their hard work.