Month 3: Craft and Structure
Day 1: Introduction to Dialogue and Word Choice
- Define dialogue and its role in storytelling.
- Explore how word choice impacts the tone and meaning in conversations within a text.
Day 2: Analyzing Dialogue in Texts
- Read a short story or excerpt and identify the dialogue.
- Discuss how the character's choice of words affects the story's mood and tone.
Day 3: Analyzing Word Choice and Tone
- Examine an excerpt of text focusing on the author’s word choice.
- Identify words that create a specific tone and discuss the impact on the reader's perception.
Day 4: Understanding Tone through Dialogue
- Practice identifying tone shifts in dialogues through guided reading.
- Discuss how dialogue contributes to the development of tone and mood in the narrative.
Day 5: Applying Dialogue Analysis
- Write a short scene using specific word choices to create a clear tone.
- Peer review: Assess each other’s work based on tone and word choice in dialogue.
Day 1:Introduction to Cohesion in Argumentative Writing
- Define cohesion and its importance in argumentative writing.
- Introduce methods to ensure ideas flow logically and smoothly in paragraphs.
Day 2: Writing with a Formal Style
- Discuss the differences between formal and informal writing styles.
- Analyze examples of argumentative writing to identify formal tone and vocabulary.
Day 3:
- Start writing argumentative paragraphs on a selected topic.
- Focus on using formal language and cohesive devices (e.g., transitions, conjunctions).
Day 4: Peer Review of Argumentative Paragraphs
- Share written paragraphs in pairs and provide feedback on style and cohesion.
- Revise paragraphs based on peer feedback, focusing on improving formal style.
Day 5: Reflecting on Cohesion and Formal Style
- Final revisions on argumentative paragraphs with a focus on cohesive structure.
- Submit a final draft and discuss improvements made during the week.
Day 1: Introduction to Effective Speaking and Listening
- Discuss the importance of connecting ideas and responding thoughtfully in conversation.
- Introduce techniques for active listening and how to build on others’ ideas.
Day 2: Practicing Structured Responses
- Engage in structured individual responses to questions, using evidence to support answers.
- Focus on clarity, coherence, and staying on topic during responses.
Day 3: Discussion Skills - Connecting Ideas
- Hold a class discussion on a selected topic where each student must connect their ideas to previous ones.
- Practice paraphrasing others’ points and adding personal insights.
Day 4: Building on Others’ Ideas in Dialogue
- Pair up with a partner and engage in dialogues where both participants must build on each other’s responses.
- Focus on asking follow-up questions and elaborating on ideas presented.
Day 5: Class Discussion and Feedback
- Organize a class discussion on a current event or literary theme.
- Peer feedback on how well participants connected ideas and responded during the discussion.
Day 1: Introduction to Verbs and Their Moods
- Define different verb moods: indicative, imperative, and subjunctive.
- Discuss how verb moods influence the meaning and tone of a sentence.
Day 2: Identifying Verb Moods in Sentences
- Provide examples of sentences with different verb moods and analyze their effect.
- Practice identifying and labeling the verb moods in sample sentences.
Day 3: Using Verbs and Moods in Writing
- Write sentences using a variety of verb moods.
- Emphasize using the correct mood based on the context of the sentence.
Day 4: Revising Sentences with Verb Moods
- Revise a set of given sentences to use appropriate verb moods.
- Peer review: Exchange papers and give feedback on verb usage and mood accuracy.
Day 5: Final Exercise on Verb Moods
- Complete an exercise worksheet that tests knowledge of verb moods.
- Discuss and correct any errors as a class, focusing on when and how each mood should be used.
Resources & Extension Activities
- Refugee Communities in the US - Article A Day set available online at Readworks
- Notebooks and writing materials
- Grammar worksheets and exercises
- Poster paper and markers for visual aids
- Feedback forms for peer review sessions