Lesson+Four+-+Literature

Literature Checking out the Classics

media type="custom" key="4806349"  //Videos included: 1. This is a movie segment (part 1 of 9) from the stepsister's point of view - the classic "Cinderella". I think this would be a good video to watch if we were to read this book for discussion. 2. A student's video of the important characters in "Odyssey". This video helps keep the characters straight. 3. A fun video of modern movies that are a spinoff from classic stories. A great video to open discussion in how literature can be viewed other than reading the book. 4. A study guide that is a brief look at the Colonial period in American literature- also known as the Age of Reason, Enlightenment and Naturalism. 5. An overview of different authors from a student's perspective. Funny but interesting. There is some mild language.//

Grade Level: 8th Unit: English Author:Laurie Mekelburg

Lesson Objectives:
 * To reflect on existing texts and analyze the content.
 * To understand how literature affects your life.
 * To appreciate the author, setting and characters presented.
 * To utilize notetaking skills and to journal from those notes later for a book review.

Time Required to complete this lesson: 3 weeks

Description of lesson: Your student will be learning about the author and their writing style along with the importance of setting and characters. We will do this through exploring and reviewing different authors.

Assignment
 * 1) Read and take notes from the study guide for two authors and chosen books.
 * 2) Use those notes to journal their review.
 * 3) Chose one for a final assessment...poster or cartoon using a [|cartoon], write letter/email to a character from one of the books, book report or newspaper article.
 * 4) Fine tune their choice by checking for spelling, grammar and content.
 * 5) Final draft for grading.

Resources/materials needed: Library, access to computer, internet and printer, study guides and books for the two chosen authors. If available, iphone app “stanza”. One notebook with pockets and a binder for organizing notes and handouts.

Technology used: Computer web pages and resources. If available, iphone app “stanza”.

The technology used in this lesson changes the teaching / learning in the way students learn, read and research the authors/books via the internet along with the choice of their final paper via a cartoon.