Up Close and Personal with Black Bayou Lake Title: Up Close and Personal with Black Bayou Lake
Subject: English/Language Arts
Grade Level: 6 - 8
Overview:
Students get up close and personal with Black Bayou Lake. Visiting web sites and taking virtual tours, the students are inspired to write multi-paragraph essays using descriptive words and literary devices.
Approximate Duration: 4 - 60 minute lessons
Content Standards:
Standard 2
Students write competently for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Standard 3
Students communicate using standard English grammar, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and handwriting.
Standard 5
Students locate, select, and synthesize information from a variety of texts, media, references, and technological sources to acquire and communicate knowledge.
Benchmarks:
ELA-2-M3
applying the steps of the writing process;
ELA-2-M4
using narration, description, exposition, and persuasion to develop various modes of writing (e.g., notes, stories, poems, letters, essays, logs);
ELA-2-M5
recognizing and applying literary devices (e.g., figurative language, symbolism, dialogue);
ELA-3-M2
demonstrating use of punctuation (e.g., comma, apostrophe, colon, semicolon, quotation marks, dashes, parentheses), capitalization, and abbreviations;
ELA-3-M3
demonstrating standard English structure and usage;
ELA-5-M2
locating and evaluating information sources (e.g., print materials, databases, CD-ROM references, Internet information, electronic reference works, community and government data, television and radio resources, audio and visual materials);
ELA-5-M4
using available technology to produce, revise, and publish a variety of works;
Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs):
Reading and Responding
Grade 7
9. Demonstrate understanding of information in grade-appropriate texts using a variety of strategies, including:(ELA-7-M1)
Writing
Grade 6
21. Develop grade-appropriate paragraphs and multi paragraph compositions using the various modes (i.e., description, narration, exposition, and persuasion), emphasizing narration and exposition (ELA-2-M4)
22. Use the various modes to write compositions, including: comparison/contrast; essays based on a stated opinion (ELA-2-M4)
23. Develop writing using a variety of literary devices, including foreshadowing, flashback, and imagery(ELA-2-M5)
Grade 7
19. Develop grade-appropriate paragraphs and multi paragraph compositions using the various modes (i.e., description, narration, exposition, and persuasion), emphasizing narration and exposition (ELAN-2-Ma)
20. Use the various modes to write compositions, including: selecting topic and form;
prewriting (e.g., brainstorming, researching, raising questions, generating graphic organizers);
drafting; conferencing (e.g., peer, teacher); revising based on feedback and use of various tools (e.g., LEAP21 Writer's Checklist, rubrics); proofreading/editing; publishing using technology
(ELA 2 M3) (ELAN-2-Ma)
21. Develop writing using a variety of literary devices, including analogies, symbolism, and puns
(ELAN-2-Ma)
Grade 8
19. Develop grade-appropriate paragraphs and multi paragraph compositions using the various modes of writing (e.g., description, narration, exposition, and persuasion), emphasizing narration and exposition (ELAN-2-Ma)
20. Use the various modes to write compositions, including: short stories developed with literary devices; problem/solution essays; essays defending a stated position (ELA 2 M4)
21. Develop writing using a variety of literary devices, including understatements and allusions
(ELAN-2-Ma)
Information Resources
Grade 6
42. Locate and integrate information from grade-appropriate resources, including:
multiple printed texts (e.g., encyclopedias, atlases, library catalogs, specialized dictionaries, almanacs, technical encyclopedias); electronic sources (e.g., Web sites, databases): other media sources (e.g., audio and video tapes, films, documentaries, television, radio) (ELA 5 M2)
46. Use word processing and/or other technology to draft, revise, and publish a variety of works, including compositions and reports and business letters (ELAN-5-Ma)
Grade 7
40. Locate and integrate information from a variety of grade-appropriate resources, including: multiple printed texts (e.g., encyclopedias, atlases, library catalogs, specialized dictionaries, almanacs, technical encyclopedias); electronic sources (e.g., Web sites, databases); other media sources (e.g., audio and video tapes, films, documentaries, television, radio) (ELA 5 M2)
(ELAN-5-Ma)
44. Use word processing and/or other technology to draft, revise, and publish a variety of works, including reports and research documents(ELAN-5-Ma)
Grade 8
40. Locate and integrate information from a variety of grade-appropriate resources, including: multiple printed texts (e.g., encyclopedias, atlases, library catalogs, specialized dictionaries, almanacs, technical encyclopedias); electronic sources (e.g., Web sites, databases); other media sources (e.g., audio and video tapes, films, documentaries, television, radio) (ELA 5 M2)
(ELAN-5-Ma)
44. Use word processing and/or other technology to draft, revise, and publish a variety of works, including documented research reports with bibliographies (ELAN-5-Ma)
Interdisciplinary Connections:
Science : Life Science
The students will become aware of the characteristics and life cycles of organisms and understand their relationships to each other and to their environment.
Science : Science and the Environment
In learning environmental science, students will develop an appreciation of the natural environment, learn the importance of environmental quality, and acquire a sense of stewardship. As consumers and citizens, they will be able to recognize how our personal, professional, and political actions affect the natural world.
Educational Technology Standards:
Use information, media, and technology in a responsible manner which includes following the school's acceptable use policy, adhering to copyright laws, respecting the rights of others, and employing proper etiquette in all forms of communication.
Use multimedia tools and desktop publishing to develop and present computer-generated projects for directed and independent learning activities.
Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, writing tools, digital cameras, drawing tools, web tools) to gather information for problem solving, communication, collaborative writing and publishing to create products for various audiences.
Objectives:
The learner will write a multi-paragraph descriptive essay void of grammatical and spelling errors.
The learner will write a multi-paragraph descriptive essay using figurative language.
Lesson Materials and Resources:
Pencils
Paper
Writing Prompt
Rubric for Assessment of Writing
PowerPoint Presentation
Technology Tools and Materials:
Hardware:
Computer
COW (Computers on Wheels)
ProjectorSoftware:
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Power Point
InspirationWebsites:
Thesaurus.com
http://thesaurus.reference.com/
The Five Paragraph Essay
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/howto.html
Background Information:
The students will have experience with paragraph writing.
Most of the students have been exposed to some of the various literary devices that are addressed in this lesson.
Most of the students will have some experience using the computer, Microsoft Word, online tools, and Microsoft Power Point.
Many of the students will have limited knowledge of Black Bayou Lake refuge.Lesson Procedures:
Day 11. Introduce the lesson by taking a virtual tour of Black Bayou Lake refuge.
2. Discuss literary devices using the Figurative Language presentation. Review how literary devices are used to make writing interesting.
3. Using Inspiration software, the students will create a descriptive web of the refuge. List the sights and sounds of the lake observed on the virtual field trip. Describe how they think the lake would smell. Use some of the literary devices described in the PowerPoint.
Day 2
1. Visit Black Bayou Lake refuge. After visiting the area, sit quietly and listen to the sounds of the area. What do you hear? What can you smell? Take notes and describe the various sensations using figurative language.
Day 3
1. After returning to school, use the descriptive web created on Day 1. Are there any changes? Allow students to brainstorm for additional words such as synonyms, antonyms, etc. Go to Thesaurus.com. Allow students to use sites of reference on the computer.
2. Students will use the descriptive web created in Inspiration to organize their writing. At this point the students can personalize the web. Click on the outline view to organize the writing.
3. Students will use a writing prompt to begin writing.
What if...You instantly were changed into a bird.That's right. And, it was up to you to educate people about the needs and the woes of wildlife at the Black Bayou Lake refuge.
Begin your essay.
Remember...You are to write in 1st person using I and my.
Day 4
1. Students will be given a rubric for narrative writing.
2. Students will work in pairs to proofread narratives and make corrections.
3. When students complete the corrections to their rough drafts, they may then go to the computer and use Microsoft Word for a finished product. Save and print a copy of the finished work.
Early finishers may go to the computer and work at this site, Power Proofreading
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/k_5/proofread/index.html
Assessment Procedures:
Essay
Rubric for Descriptive Essay
Accommodations/Modifications:
1. Students will work together during the initial writing activities.
2. Students will then be paired for editing purposes.
3. Students with exceptional needs may write one paragraph with an emphasis placed more on
sentence structure and the use of descriptive words.
4. See IEP for additional accommodations or modifications.
Reproducible Materials:
Up Close and Personal with Black Bayou Lake Rubric
Up Close and Personal with Black Bayou Lake Writing Prompt
Figurative Language PowerPoint
Explorations and Extensions:
Students can write about anything imaginable. Give students a writing prompt and let them begin.
Lesson Development Resources:
Writing Prompts
LPB CyberChannel
GLE Related Material
http://www.louisianaschools.net/lde/saa/1914.htmlContact Information:
Rosemary Dillingham
rosemary.dillingham@mcschools.net
Instructional TechnologyBlack Bayou Lake Home | Curriculum Materials | Resources | Black Bayou Lake NWR | Monroe City Schools
