1. Exploring Fiction and Non-fiction with Diary of a Worm
Lindsay Griffin
resources/lesson-plans/blurring-genre-exploring-fiction html

2. Fiction vs. Non-fiction
Characters, setting, plot are make believe
Different kinds such as realistic, fantasy, historical, science, etc.
Author imagined the story in his/her head
“untrue”
True
Based on facts or evidence
About a real person’s life/events
Research

3. Take note of as many facts about worms as you can while I read Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
The earth needs worms to help it breathe and make good soil/dirt.
Worms dig tunnels in the ground/dirt.
Worms don’t have arms or legs.
People use worms as fishing bait.
Worms can’t live in water.
Worms eat paper and other forms of garbage.
Worms do not have teeth.

4. How did the author weave style and voice into the story?
Characters thoughts (speech bubbles)
Made lists
Retellings of events (School dance, homework, etc.)
Dreams/Reflections
Illustrations add to the story/voice
Used humor/made up other characters like mom, dad, sister, friend the spider

5. Complete a KWL chart.

6. Research your facts
Students will use the internet to research facts about their animal to include in their diary book project.
Go to one of the following websites to find information about your animal, or you can type in your animals name and do a Google search for information.
http:
rchive

7. Student Expectations
Rubric for Book: es/lesson1145/DiaryBookRubric.pdf Peer Evaluation: es/lesson1145/DiaryPeerEvaluation.pdf

8. Self-Reflection
What strategies did you use that were helpful to you in completing this writing?
How might you be able to use or adapt those strategies to other kinds of writing?
What did you learn about yourself as a writer from this experience?
What did you learn about working with others in a writing project from this experience?