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Expressive Writing: Celebrating Remarkable Women with Sentence Mastery
Grade 12English2 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)Expressive WritingRemarkable WomenSentence StructuresAppositivesNarrative CompositionWomen's Contributions
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Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can recognizing the contributions of women in history and our personal lives transform our understanding of their significance, while utilizing diverse sentence structures, appositives, and transitions to enhance our written expression?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- Why is it important to recognize the contributions of women in history and our personal lives?
- How can diverse sentence structures enhance the quality of a written piece?
- What role do conjunctions and transitions play in creating coherence and flow in writing?
- How does the use of appositives refine and add detail to descriptions in writing?
- In what ways can writing about a person influence our understanding of their contributions and significance?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to write a narrative piece that effectively uses all four types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory).
- Students will demonstrate the use of conjunctions 'because', 'but', and 'so' in their writing to create complex sentences.
- Students will use subordinating conjunctions to combine clauses and add complexity to their writing.
- Students will apply appositives to provide additional information or details about a subject in their writing.
- Students will integrate transitions to ensure coherence and flow in their narrative.
- Students will understand and articulate the significance of women's contributions in history or their personal lives through reflective writing.
Common Core Standards (English Language Arts)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3
Primary
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.Reason: The project involves students writing about a woman, whether real or personal, which aligns with developing narratives.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.5
Primary
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.Reason: Students will plan, write, and revise their pieces, addressing purpose and audience, aligning with strengthening writing processes.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.6
Supporting
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.Reason: The use of technology for producing and updating writing aligns with this standard, as students may share and revise their work collaboratively.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.1
Primary
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.Reason: The project's focus on sentence types, conjunctions, appositives, and transitions aligns with demonstrating command of standard English grammar and usage.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.3
Primary
Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.Reason: Students will explore how different sentence structures and language devices affect clarity and style, aligning with this standard.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsSpotlight on Unsung Heroes
Invite students to a multimedia presentation that highlights underrepresented women and their impacts. Incorporate visuals, interviews, and short video clips. Challenge students to identify overlooked women in history or their communities and think about narrative techniques to bring their stories to life.📚
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Exploration of Influential Women
In this activity, students will research and select a famous woman or an inspiring woman from their personal life to focus their narrative project on. This forms the foundational step where students gather contextual information and understand the historical or personal significance of the subject they choose to write about.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research various influential women in history or within your personal life using online databases, interviews, and books.
2. Select one woman who has had a significant impact, either historically or personally. Consider how their contributions have shaped their field or your life.
3. Create a brief overview or profile of this woman including significant achievements, personal anecdotes, and why you chose her.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive profile of a chosen woman, outlining her background, achievements, and personal significance.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3 by developing narrative content through research and selection of a significant subject.Activity 2
Sentence Type Mastery Workshop
Building on the knowledge of the chosen woman, students will focus on crafting sentences using all four types (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory) related to their subject's life or contributions. This activity will help students refine their ability to vary sentence structures, establishing a baseline for narrative development.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Review examples of declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences and discuss their functions.
2. Write one example of each sentence type about the chosen woman, focusing on her contributions and significance.
3. Pair with a classmate to share your sentences and provide feedback on effectiveness and clarity.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of four sentences (one of each type) that describe and emphasize aspects of the chosen woman's achievements.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.1 through demonstrating command of sentence variety and grammar.Activity 3
Conjunction and Subordination Challenge
Students will practice incorporating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions into their writing about the chosen woman. They will learn how these connect ideas and enhance complexity in their narrative.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Review the conjunctions 'because', 'but', and 'so', as well as common subordinating conjunctions (although, since, unless).
2. Craft sentences using these conjunctions about different facts or stories related to the woman you're writing about.
3. Exchange drafts with a peer for feedback, focusing on sentence complexity and flow.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA paragraph employing conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions to detail an aspect of the chosen woman's life or contribution.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.3 by applying complex sentence structures for style and clarity.Activity 4
Appositives in Action
Students will explore the use of appositives to add depth and detail to descriptions of their chosen woman. This technique will improve the descriptive quality of their narrative by embedding additional information seamlessly.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Learn about appositives and analyze examples of how they add detail.
2. Find and create sentences from your narrative using appositives to add specifics to the descriptions of the chosen woman.
3. Share sentences with peers to assess how effectively the appositives enhance meaning.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activitySeveral sentences that include appositives to articulate details about the chosen woman.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.1 by incorporating appositives to demonstrate grammar usage and detail.Activity 5
Transition Treasure Hunt
In this activity, students will improve the coherence and flow of their narrative by effectively using transitions. They will practice identifying and incorporating various transitional phrases and words into their writing about the chosen woman.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Discuss the role of transitions in writing and how they guide the reader through the narrative.
2. Identify transitional phrases and words that can be used in your narrative.
3. Revise your current narrative drafts to include appropriate transitions, aiming for smoother flow and connectivity.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA revised narrative that uses transitions to enhance coherence and readability.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.1 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.3 by focusing on coherence and style through the use of transitions.Activity 6
Reflective Narrative Composition
Students will compile all their revised works into a cohesive narrative that highlights the chosen woman's life or contributions, incorporating diverse sentence structures, conjunctions, appositives, and transitions discussed in previous activities.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Compile all refined sentences and paragraphs into a coherent narrative structure that tells the story of your chosen woman.
2. Review feedback from previous activities to refine language and expression further.
3. Integrate all elements learned: diverse sentence structures, conjunction usage, appositives, and transitions to create a polished narrative.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA polished narrative piece that effectively utilizes learned grammar and stylistic devices to present a compelling story about a significant woman.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.5, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.6 through narrative development, planning, revision, and use of technology.🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioNarrative Writing on Influential Women
Category 1
Content and Ideas
Assess the depth and significance of content and how well the chosen woman's contributions are contextualized and articulated.Criterion 1
Clarity of Narrative Purpose
How clearly does the narrative convey its purpose and the significance of the chosen woman's contributions?
Exemplary
4 PointsNarrative purpose is exceptionally clear, with a profound insight into the woman's contributions and significance.
Proficient
3 PointsNarrative purpose is clear, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the woman's importance.
Developing
2 PointsNarrative purpose is somewhat clear; partial understanding of the woman's role and impact is present.
Beginning
1 PointsNarrative purpose is unclear, with minimal reference to the woman's significance.
Category 2
Sentence Structure and Grammar
Evaluate the use of all four sentence types, conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and appositives for grammatical accuracy and variety.Criterion 1
Variety of Sentence Types
Does the writing implement all four sentence types skillfully?
Exemplary
4 PointsAll sentence types are implemented expertly, contributing to a dynamic and engaging narrative.
Proficient
3 PointsAll sentence types are used effectively to enhance narrative flow.
Developing
2 PointsSome sentence types are used; the flow is occasionally disrupted.
Beginning
1 PointsLimited use of sentence types, affecting narrative clarity and engagement.
Criterion 2
Use of Conjunctions and Subordination
Assess employment of conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions to create complex sentences.
Exemplary
4 PointsConjunctions and subordinating conjunctions are used masterfully to enhance sentence complexity and nuance.
Proficient
3 PointsConjunctions are used appropriately, supporting sentence complexity.
Developing
2 PointsBasic use of conjunctions; limited contribution to sentence complexity.
Beginning
1 PointsMinimal use of conjunctions, failing to enhance sentence complexity.
Criterion 3
Integration of Appositives
How effectively are appositives incorporated to add detail and depth?
Exemplary
4 PointsAppositives are skillfully integrated, providing rich detail and depth.
Proficient
3 PointsAppositives are used effectively to add detail.
Developing
2 PointsSome appositives are used, but with limited impact on detail.
Beginning
1 PointsFew or no appositives are incorporated, limiting narrative detail.
Category 3
Coherence and Style
Evaluate the coherence and flow of the narrative through the use of transitions and stylistic devices.Criterion 1
Use of Transitions
Are transitions effectively used to guide the reader and enhance narrative flow?
Exemplary
4 PointsTransitions are expertly used, creating a seamless and coherent narrative flow.
Proficient
3 PointsTransitions are used effectively to maintain a coherent narrative.
Developing
2 PointsTransitions are occasionally used, with some disruption in narrative flow.
Beginning
1 PointsLimited or ineffective use of transitions, disrupting narrative coherence.
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
Reflect on the entire process of researching and narrating the story of a significant woman. What insights did you gain about her contributions and their impact on society or your personal life?
Text
Required
Question 2
How effective do you feel your use of diverse sentence structures (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory) was in enhancing your narrative?
Scale
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Question 3
In what ways have conjunctions and transitions helped you in creating coherence and flow in your writing? Provide specific examples from your narrative.
Text
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Question 4
How confident are you in using appositives to add detail and clarity in your writing after completing this project?
Scale
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Question 5
Overall, how much has this project improved your writing skills, especially in expressing the significance of historical or personal figures?
Multiple choice
Required
Options
Not at all
A little
Somewhat
A lot
Extremely