Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a compelling story that showcases a character's unexpected journey, highlighting their development, choices, and transformations through conflicts and the influence of supporting characters?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What is a character journey, and how does it affect the character's development throughout the story?
- How do unexpected events impact a character's choices and growth?
- In what ways can conflicts in a story lead to a character's transformation?
- How can we effectively use descriptive language to convey a character's emotions during their journey?
- What role do supporting characters play in shaping the protagonist's journey?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will understand the components of a character journey and their significance in storytelling.
- Students will analyze how unexpected events affect a character's choices and development throughout a narrative.
- Students will effectively utilize descriptive language to convey emotions and actions in their character's journey.
- Students will explore the role of supporting characters in a narrative, examining their influence on the protagonist's growth.
Common Core Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsLetters from the Future
Students receive letters from fictional characters describing pivotal moments in their journeys at different ages or stages. This stimulates a discussion about perspective in storytelling, while students explore their own character journeys.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Plot Map: Mapping the Journey
Students will create a plot map that visually represents the key events in their character's journey, helping them structure their story effectively. This activity emphasizes sequencing and understanding narrative structure.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA colorful and labeled plot map that outlines the character’s journey, including major events and their significance.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports standard 3.R.3.3 by requiring students to analyze how specific events shape the plot and to articulate their character's journey.Drafting the Journey: Creating the Story
Students will take the information from their character capsule and plot map to draft their story. This activity focuses on using descriptive language and narrative techniques to engage readers.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA rough draft of their character’s story, showcasing the journey and character development through narration.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 3.R.3.3 by enabling students to write a narrative focusing on how characters develop through their journeys.Character Journey Presentation: Share Your Story
Students will create a final presentation that allows them to share their character’s story with classmates. This activity fosters public speaking skills and allows for creative expression through multimedia.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA final presentation on their character’s journey that includes visuals and engages the audience in understanding the character’s development.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses 3.R.3.3 by requiring students to present their character’s journey effectively, highlighting key aspects of character development.Character Capsule: The Journey Begins
Students will create a character capsule that includes key elements of a character’s background and the beginning of their journey. This activity will set the foundation for their stories by helping them visualize who their character is and why their journey is significant.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA decorated character capsule containing an illustrated character, a profile, and symbolic items related to their background.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 3.R.3.3 by allowing students to analyze and describe a character's journey based on their previous experiences.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioCharacter Journey Storytelling Rubric
Character Development
Assessment of how well students describe and develop their character throughout the narrative, including the influence of supporting characters.Character Description
Evaluates the depth and clarity of character descriptions, including physical appearance, background, and motivations.
Exemplary
4 PointsCharacter descriptions are vivid and detailed, offering clear insights into their motivations and background.
Proficient
3 PointsCharacter descriptions are clear and descriptive, effectively conveying motivations and background.
Developing
2 PointsCharacter descriptions are present but lack depth, providing limited insight into motivations and background.
Beginning
1 PointsCharacter descriptions are vague or missing, with little insight into motivations and background.
Character Growth and Change
Examines how well the student portrays the character's growth and change throughout the story.
Exemplary
4 PointsCharacter growth is transformative and believably linked to events, showing significant change and development.
Proficient
3 PointsCharacter growth is evident and reasonably linked to events, showing clear development.
Developing
2 PointsCharacter change is minimal or inconsistently linked to events, showing some developmental evidence.
Beginning
1 PointsCharacter change is unclear or absent, lacking connection to the plot events.
Plot Structure and Event Sequencing
Focuses on students' ability to structure a story and sequence events meaningfully to create an engaging narrative.Plot Organization
Assesses clarity and coherence in the organization and presentation of plot elements (beginning, middle, end).
Exemplary
4 PointsPlot is exceptionally well-organized, with a clear and coherent sequence of events that enhance the story.
Proficient
3 PointsPlot is well-organized, with a clear and logical sequence of events.
Developing
2 PointsPlot organization is present but some events may be out of order or unclear.
Beginning
1 PointsPlot lacks organization with events that are unclear or disconnected.
Impactful Events
Evaluates the significance and impact of events on the story and character development.
Exemplary
4 PointsEvents are pivotal, significantly impacting the narrative and catalyzing character development.
Proficient
3 PointsEvents clearly impact the narrative and contribute to character development.
Developing
2 PointsSome events impact the narrative but others are unclear or insignificant.
Beginning
1 PointsEvents have minimal or unclear impact, failing to shape the narrative meaningfully.
Descriptive Language and Writing Style
Evaluates the use of descriptive language and narrative technique to convey emotion and immersion.Use of Descriptive Language
Assesses the effectiveness of descriptive language in developing characters, setting, and emotions.
Exemplary
4 PointsLanguage is richly descriptive, vividly illustrating characters, settings, and emotions, enriching the story.
Proficient
3 PointsLanguage is descriptive and effectively conveys characters, settings, and emotions.
Developing
2 PointsSome descriptive language is used, though it may not fully capture characters, settings, or emotions.
Beginning
1 PointsMinimal descriptive language results in vague or unclear depictions.
Narrative Engagement
Focuses on the overall engagement and interest generated by the writing style and narrative technique.
Exemplary
4 PointsNarrative style is captivating, maintaining high reader interest and seamlessly integrating dialogue.
Proficient
3 PointsNarrative style is engaging and maintains reader interest effectively.
Developing
2 PointsNarrative has engaging moments but lacks consistency, occasionally losing reader interest.
Beginning
1 PointsNarrative style is flat, with frequent breaks in engagement and interest.
Presentation Skills
Evaluates the effectiveness of students' presentations, focusing on clarity, engagement, and use of multimedia.Clarity of Presentation
Assesses the ability to clearly communicate story elements and character journeys during presentations.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresentation is exceptionally clear and articulate, effectively conveying story elements and character journeys.
Proficient
3 PointsPresentation is clear and effectively conveys story elements and character journeys.
Developing
2 PointsPresentation conveys some story elements, but clarity and articulation vary.
Beginning
1 PointsPresentation lacks clarity, often obscuring story elements and character journeys.
Engagement and Interaction
Evaluates the presenter's ability to engage the audience and respond to questions effectively.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresenter engages audience fluently, encourages questions, and responds insightfully.
Proficient
3 PointsPresenter engages the audience well and responds competently to questions.
Developing
2 PointsPresenter attempts engagement but may miss opportunities for interactive dialogue.
Beginning
1 PointsPresenter struggles with engagement and interaction, offering minimal audience involvement.