LESSON ONE: Pretest and Present Project

                             

LESSON DESCRIPTION

Students demonstrate prior knowledge in using proper capitalization and possessives and identify the requirements and expectations for the successful completion of the unit’s performance task.

 

GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

W2B  Use conventions of capitalization in written text

W2C  In composing text, use

 

 

LESSON MATERIALS

§         Sources of literature

o        None

 

§         Supplies 

o        Pre-test from grammar textbook, writing handbook or other grammar/usage resource that measures student knowledge in capitalization or proper adjectives, the first word in a direct quotation, apostrophe in irregular and plural possessive, and use of quotation marks in dialogue.

 

§         Handouts provided

o        City Planner

o        Formative Assessment for Lesson One

 

§         Words to know

 

 

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT 

Pre-test from grammar book or website providing assessments.

 

 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

 

1.        Introduce the unit. You may play the classic rock song “We Built This City,” by Jefferson Airplane. If not, mention that such a song exists. Tell students they will have a chance to build their own city. Describe a great vacation you have taken (for example: “I once vacationed on the eastern seaboard. From my hotel balcony, I could see the Atlantic rushing to shore and hear the crash and swish of waves. Just minutes away were great musical shows, golf courses, shopping and every sort of attraction I could want. Myrtle Beach, S.C., was a perfect vacation city for me.” An enthusiastic attitude on your part will empower students and encourage them to get actively engaged in this project.

 

Idea

Say, “Wouldn’t it be great to be able to build your own city? What would it look like, sound like, smell like? What could you do or see there? In this unit you actually get to plan and advertise your own city and while building, you will have a chance to practice some important reading and writing skills.”

 

2.        Show ads for a popular vacation destination. If possible, show tourism sites on a Smart Board or have an overhead transparency made of the travel brochure. Review the rules of capitalization. Explain the importance of using proper capitalization as a means for advertising and understanding.

 

Questions

for

Students

 

When you look at this ad, do you notice the capitalization and punctuation?

If it were missing, would you understand the ad as well?

How much do you remember about the proper way to capitalize proper nouns and possessive nouns?

 

3.        Administer the pre-test

 

4.        Remind students that you promised them a chance to build a city and that you’re now giving them the tools with which to build. Hand out the project requirements sheet, which is their city planner. Remind them they need to keep track of their city planners throughout this unit. Allow students time to ask questions and begin to make plans for their city. You may allow students to work in pairs. Encourage them to brainstorm.  For example, say, “If I could build a city, I’d have…” Ask students to jot down ideas that appeal to them.