Enrich the Study of the American Revolution with Technology Writing About Your Historical Character iLearn Social Studies Session 3 of 8

Focusing Questions What are the writing skills needed to create a first-person narrative? What tools can support me on this project?

Instruction

Framing Our Work Now that you have gathered some information on your historical character, we will discuss: >How to organize your information. >How to begin writing a first-person narrative.

Teaching Determine which of the four first-person narrative genres you will write: >an autobiographical sketch >a diary or journal entry >a speech >a letter to the editor

Directions After selecting one (the autobiographical sketch): >Look at your research, and begin to group or arrange it. >Focus on the information about your character’s name, occupation, daily life, and opinions on British rule. >Write one paragraph of four to six sentences that is the introduction to your autobiographical sketch. Remember to use first person-narration, e.g., I am.

Guided Practice My character Patrick Henry: “My name is Patrick Henry. I was born on May 29, 1736, in Hanover County, Virginia. I served in the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress, and was the three-time governor of Virginia. I protested British tyranny, and am known for my famous ‘Give me liberty or give me death!’ speech.”

Work Time

Work with your partner to organize your research and write the introduction to your character’s autobiographical sketch. When you have completed your introductory paragraph, take a few minutes to practice reading it aloud.

Resources Review the “Written Component,” “Speech Writing Organizer,” and “Letter to the Editor Organizer” (pages 7–9 in “Final Project Overview”). Discussion: >Why are there organizers for these two types of genres and not the others? >How can you use the different writing templates to meet the various needs of students in your classroom? Others: >i-Teach 6th and 7th Grade Literacy Supportsi-Teach 6th and 7th Grade Literacy Supports >NYC DOE Literacy SupportsNYC DOE Literacy Supports

Share

Today we learned how to create a first-person narrative. Explain your thoughts on the research process so far: >What worked well? >What did you find challenging? >What would you do differently? Share

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