Novel Unit - Johnny Tremain Six Weeks in a classroom Power Point Presentation Phase III Ann Alexander Fall, 2001

Lesson Planning Teacher’s role is that of presenter. Students were given their task and had to discover a method of approach. Students had to assume the responsibility of discerning the best method of production.

Lesson Planning Student roles were varied at different points in the project. Students were given time daily after reading portions of novel to work on activities. Students were paired for some activities and had to designate jobs and duties. Students were instructed at completion of project to list their roles during project. Students divided responsibilities fairly without prompting.

Activity One Map of Boston s Students display their finished products! Students paired in mapping activity

Activity One Boston Maps Students had the task of first visiting the Boston virtual website and reading the information there as well as studying the photos. Then, they studied a modern map of the Boston area making note of the historical landmarks. Next, they looked at a map of Boston from Finally, paired students created a map of Boston at the time of Johnny Tremain.

Activity Two Paul Revere the Silversmith Pamphlet Design Students are intense in their research on Paul Revere, the silver- smith, a character from their current Literature novel, Johnny Tremain.

Johnny Tremain Activity II Create a Pamphlet The Student’s task - –Read Paul Revere’s biography –Read about silversmithing –Tour Paul Revere’s house, the oldest structure in Boston. –Find other interests of Paul Revere –Student and their partner will design and create a pamphlet advertising products created in Paul Revere’s workshop.

Students display their finished pamphlets!

Activity Three Add a stanza - continue the story “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” Student Task –Read a factual account of Paul Revere’s ride. –Read the history of the Old North Church. –Read a poem about William Dawes. –Read Henry Wadsworth Longfellows famous poem –Final product will be to write a new stanza to add to Longfellow’s poem. Students at work in instructor’s mini lab classroom.

Click here for copies of student stanzas

Activity Four Displaying Contrasting versions of an event Students had to choose one of many listed people or events and read information online at each site. They then had to review the actions of that person or event in the novel, Johnny Tremain. Their task was to prepare an oral presentation, a poster with contrasting pictures, or an essay comparing the historical person or event to the fictional way it was presented in the book. Rubrics were given for each activity.

Student displaying contrasts of a character drawn in pencil on a poster

Activity Five Writing a Persuasive Essay Students task was to first read the essay “Sons of Liberty - Patriots or Terrorists?” Students then had to write a persuasive essay agreeing or disagreeing with the essay. Bonus from this activity - practice writing for 8th grade writing TAAS! Students researching for essay

Click for student essay example of Activity Five