Everybody has unique and interesting stories to tell. For this project, students wrote a chapter in their memoirs about something that was important in their lives. We explored the essential questions by doing various personal writings to help them connect to past experiences. Their personal writings included spontaneous monologues, narratives about saying good-bye, a significant influence, a guided writing story, a sensory story and a sensory poem. All students have moments that stick out in their minds, moments that will create wonderful chapters for their memoirs. Students wrote about one of those moments and learned how to make their writing more powerful.

The students then created a digital book that included their memoir as well as their personal philosophy that they wrote in World History. Ultimately, the project culminated in an exhibition where the students presented their digital books to an audience of family, friends, peers and community members. Each student individually presented his or her book and read an excerpt of the memoir. For many students it was the first time they had such "high stakes" in a project and they simultaneously had to work on elements of public speaking along with the project development.

The book contained several "book like" components that allowed the students to experience the real world relevance of creating a book and working towards a finite deadline that held them accountable for their work. Additionally, students experienced true interdisciplinary work by working on this project in English Language Arts, World History and Digital Media. The students undertook a rigorous schedule of preparing and practicing their presentations in multiple classes as well as Advisory.

 

Subject Area(s): Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts

 

Teaching Days to Complete: 6 weeks

 

Keywords  What's this?

Language Arts, English, book, memoir, sensory details

 

Outcomes  What's this?

Students will be able to use prewriting exercises to generate ideas and then synthesize their ideas into a polished memoir.
Students will be able to write multiple drafts and revise based on feedback, ultimately creating a polished memoir.
Students will be able to create a digital book and present their writing to an audience.
Students will be able to reflect on their process and articulate what they would improve the next time.

 

21st Century Leadership Skills  What's this?

Communicate Effectively and Persuasively, Manage Projects Effectively, Think Critically, Express Creatively

 

Graduation Portfolio Tasks  What's this?

Creative Expression, Multimedia Project, Public Speaking

 

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