Lesson Units and Plans

Time:

One to two 50-minute class periods, or to be completed as homework.

Materials:

• Students' writing, materials for selected publication.

Learning Goals:

• Students will learn to create a publication with an intended audience and outcomes.

• Students will use images and written word to communicate effectively.

Standards:

NCTE Language Arts Standard #4

Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.

NCTE Language Arts Standard #5

Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.

Activities:

Students will complete their publication of primate material. Identify methods of distribution. (Web site, print publication, etc.)

Procedures:

1. Remind students what the goal of the published piece is. Publish the stories after choosing a means: literary magazine, Web site, book, newsletter, articles in the local paper.

2. If this period will be used by students to polish their writing, make sure students allow any people who are the objects of the stories to read and review it first.

Key Concepts and Vocabulary:

Profiles of people (what is a profile?) Publishing for an audience, "intentional publication. Discussion of use of imagery.

Assessment Suggestions for rubric:

Writing assessment using the 6+1 writing trait rubric. Develop a rubric with the students about their definition of success for the publication. How many viewers do they want to read their work? How will they get feedback? What strategies have they employed for telling others about their new publication?

Resources/Examples:

Suggest using a search engine and type in "Student Publications" to review examples for high schools and colleges.

Action Project:

Students might create a Web site or start a newsletter or blog that is ongoing, continuing to publish stories of impact worldwide. Students could offer ideas to the publishing "team" from the readership, and stories could continue to highlight career choices and organizations for volunteering in the community.

Copyright © New England Primate Sanctuary, Inc. 2010

You may freely use, copy and share this Lesson Plan for educational purposes.