Declaring Identity: Being Jazz (2020)

Lesson 26
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ELA

Unit 11

6th Grade

Lesson 26 of 28

Objective


Organize narratives in a logical structure and add specific details and dialogue to develop meaning.

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

For as long as there have been human beings, we have been telling the stories of our lives to one another. Jazz Jennings has made such an impact because of her willingness to share her unique story with the world. When we share the story of our own unique lives, we have the opportunity to connect with those around us and discover that we may not be as strange or different as we once thought.

In this task, you will write about an important experience in your life—one that shows something unique or special about you. It can be a time when you felt different from others in a way that was uncomfortable or difficult, or a time when you felt different from other people and it made you feel proud and special. These will be stories that we will share with one another, so be sure it is something you feel comfortable sharing.

Your short memoir must:

  • Be written in the first person
  • Give the reader a clear sense of who you are (establish a narrative voice)
  • Clearly describe the setting and context for your story
  • Include dialogue
  • Include precise language
  • Include a strong conclusion

Lesson Guidance


  • Have students share the outline of their stories with a partner. Partners should give feedback on whether the story feels natural and logical.
  • Have students begin to draft their narratives based on the structures they have developed. You may wish to stop halfway through class and have students go back and add more sensory details or at least one example of dialogue.
  • Students should complete a rough draft of their narratives for homework.

Common Core Standards


  • W.6.3 — Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
  • W.6.3.a — Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
  • W.6.3.b — Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
  • W.6.5 — With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

Next

Craft a strong concluding paragraph and share stories with classmates.

Lesson 27
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Lesson Map

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