Overview

In this lesson plan, students will write six diary entries as they read the novel, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Students will select a character from a provided list from the six groups of two chapters. The diary entry will be a response to the events presented in the two chapters from the point of view of the selected character. Students will select a new character for each diary entry. Additionally, each student will do a peer response activity for each of the six diary entries.

Student Objectives

Students will:

• Apply their understanding of the characters to a creative writing assignment.
• Demonstrate they understand the plot of the novel by creating a character's fictional response.
• Demonstrate they understand character motivation and actions through their diary entries.

Skills Attained

Students will be able to:

• Enhance their creative writing skills.
• Apply knowledge of the novel and its characters to an original writing assignment.

Materials Needed

• Diary assignment handouts
• Peer assessment handouts
• Novel, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

The Lesson

Anticipatory Set

Introduce students to the diary assignment before they read the first two chapters. First, discuss the qualities of they should look for in characters and how they can create them by focusing on:

• What they do.
• What they say.
• What others say to them.
• How the author describes them and their actions.

Then, describe what a diary is to the students and give examples--The Diary of Anne Frank is a good one.

Procedures

1. Pass out the handouts to students and go over the instructions, telling students to:


• Select a character from the provided list.
• Pick a new character for each diary entry.
• Write a journal entry that covers the characters most important experiences and reflections during the past two chapters.


2. Have students complete a peer assessment activity for one other student's diary after he or she has completed each diary entry.
   
   
3. Respond briefly to each entry and assigns points based on the assessment rubric criteria.

Assessment

Diary Assignment Rubric
Use the following rubric as a guide for assigning points to the listed components, keeping in mind that the rubric's percentages are suggestions--you should adapt the assessment guidelines, as necessary, to meet your local criteria and grading philosophy.

Grading Areas Specific Grading Criteria Percentage of Total Grade Completion of Assignment Entries consist of at least two paragraphs 40%   Entries shows evidence of the student having revised and proofread   Quality of Work Writing is in the voice of the chosen character 40%   Entries include what the character said     Entries include what the character did     Entries include what others said to the character   Peer Response Form Response One 20%   Response One     Response One

Rick Vanderwall is the Chair of the Language Arts Department at Malcolm Price Laboratory School in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Name______________________________________

Date ____________________Period____________

Instructions: Select a character from the list below, picking a new character for each diary entry. Then, write a journal entry of at least two paragraphs that relates the characters most important experiences, thoughts, and feelings during the past two chapters. Make sure you provide evidence that you have revised and proofread your entry has been revised and proofread by submitting both a rough and final draft. Finally, you will complete a peer response to one of your fellow student’s diary entries. Make sure you do not respond to the same person’s diary more than once.

Character List (select one): Cassie, Stacey, T.J., Mama, Big Ma, Papa, Mr. Morrison, Uncle Hammer

Diary Entry:

Name: _______________________

Group Observed: _______________________

Date: _______________________

Response One
Explain which qualities this diary entry had that helped to tell the story of the characters activities during these chapters effectively:

Response Two
Give two things this writer could have done to make this diary more effective.
Explain which qualities this diary entry had that helped to tell the story of the characters activities during these chapters effectively:

Response Three
What new information or ideas did you learn from reading this diary?
Explain which qualities this diary entry had that helped to tell the story of the characters activities during these chapters effectively:

List any questions you have about this presentation.

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