Brainstorm and plan an opinion letter by identifying what students believe about bullying, why it is wrong, and how they can take action to prevent it.

Materials

Taking a Stand Against Bullying Brainstorm (G3, U5, L18)
Taking a Stand Against Bullying Brainstorm Sample (G3, U5, L18)
Two Paragraph Outline
Two Paragraph Outline Sample (G3, U5, L18)

Standards

W.3.1W.3.1.aW.3.1.bW.3.1.cW.3.1.dW.3.4W.3.5

Day 2 - Drafting

Draft both paragraphs of their opinion letter, explaining their belief about bullying and describing specific actions they will take to prevent it.

Materials

Two Paragraph Outline — Completed from Day 1

Standards

W.3.1W.3.1.aW.3.1.bW.3.1.cW.3.1.dW.3.4W.3.5

Day 3 - Revision & Editing

Revise an opinion paragraph by choosing the most appropriate revision strategies to make writing more convincing.

Materials

Revision Strategy Menu 1 (G3, U5, L18)
Revision Practice Handout (G3, U5, L18)

Standards

W.3.1W.3.4W.3.5

Day 4 - Publishing

Incorporate revisions, write their final copies, and address letters.

Standards

W.3.1W.3.4W.3.5

Lesson

Language

Form and use possessive nouns to show ownership.

Materials

Tableau Planning Handout (G3, U5, L19)

Standards

L.3.2.d

Lesson

Analyze how the poems on pages 1–18 work together to build a deeper picture of the way Garvey feels about himself and the way his dad views him.

Materials

Garvey's Choice pp. 1–18

Standards

L.3.2.dRL.3.3RL.3.5

Lesson

Explain why Garvey states that he would find a patch of earth and pull it up over his head, and what details the author includes in previous poems to support this.

Materials

Garvey's Choice pp. 19–32

Standards

L.3.2.dRL.3.3RL.3.5

Lesson

Analyze how the poems help readers build a deeper understanding of how Garvey views himself and how his self-image influences his actions.

Materials

Garvey's Choice pp. 33–43

Standards

L.3.2.dRL.3.3RL.3.5

Lesson

Analyze how the poems help readers build a deeper understanding of how the idea of chorus both challenges and grows Garvey’s self-image.

Materials

Garvey's Choice pp. 44–56

Standards

L.3.2.dRL.3.3RL.3.5

Lesson

Analyze how each poem helps readers build a deeper understanding of how joining chorus and meeting Manny influences Garvey.

Materials

Garvey's Choice pp. 57–69

Standards

L.3.2.dRL.3.3RL.3.5

Lesson

Explain how each poem helps readers build a deeper understanding of how Garvey is learning and growing.

Materials

Garvey's Choice pp. 70–78

Standards

L.3.2.dRL.3.3RL.3.5

Lesson

Analyze how each poem helps readers build a deeper understanding of the ways that Garvey continues to grow and change.

Materials

Garvey's Choice pp. 79–90

Standards

L.3.2.dRL.3.3RL.3.5

Lesson

Analyze how each poem helps readers build a deeper understanding of how Garvey changes and what factors cause the change.

Materials

Garvey's Choice pp. 91–105

Standards

L.3.2.dRL.3.2RL.3.3RL.3.5

Lesson

Discussion

Identify the central message of Garvey’s Choice and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.

Materials

Garvey's Choice

Standards

RL.3.2SL.3.1SL.3.1.cSL.3.1.dW.3.1

Lesson

Assessment

Gauge student understanding of unit content and skills with one of Fishtank's unit assessments.

Lesson

Writing

Overview

Write a realistic fiction narrative in verse that shows a character's journey toward loving and accepting who they are, using a series of three to six free-verse poems.

Day 1 - Brainstorming

Brainstorm ideas for a narrative in verse by exploring characters who may struggle to love who they are, and identify possible wishes, challenges, and moments of growth that can shape their poem series.

Materials