Language Arts/Social Studies Unit
Essential Questions: How
can we learn about peoplesÕ lives from the past? Why do people keep journals and diaries? The objective of this lesson is to have
the students get to know a real person from the past by reading pages from a
diary, looking at pictures, and artifacts and then to write a diary page as if
they were that person.
Enduring Understanding: The students will learn a brief history of Zay Wright
through her journal pages, photos, and a brief oral history of her told by the
teacher. Following a rubric,
students will be able write a page in their journal as if they were Zay.
Assessment: Each
student will write a page in their journal as if they were Zay Wright. They will be graded from the ÒZay
Wright Journal RubricÓ.
Materials:
á
ÒBrief History of Zay WrightÓ
á
Writing Journals
Suggested Procedures:
It is suggested this lesson
be completed in one day in small groups of 6-8 students.
1. Write ÒDiaryÓ on the board. Have the students tell what a diary is. List reasons why people keep
diaries and journals.
2. Hand out pages of Zay WrightÕs Journal to each student. Have them read through the diary page.
3. On chart paper write these questions.
á
Who is writing this
diary?
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When is it taking place?
á
Where is it taking
place?
á
What events happen?
á
What descriptions are
there?
á
How does the author
feel?
4. Discuss the questions briefly and then have them read the
diary page again. Assign them to
write these questions in their Writing Journals and answer them.
5. Next show pictures of Zay and read the brief history of Zay
Wright.
6. Hand out the ÒZay Wright Journal RubricÓ to each
student. Tell them they are going
to become Zay and they are going to write a page in their journal as if they
were Zay. Have them follow the
rubric.
7. When they are done they will share their entry with the
group.
8. The teacher will grade their journal page according to the
rubric.