A.+Overview

=Writing Under The Influence...  What exactly does that mean? = =Unit Overview = This unit was designed for two different grade levels of students: Kindergarten and 5th grade. When students "write under the influence," they emulate the work of a published author. Writing Under the Influence ephasizes & teaches the information skill of Exploration.

=Kindergarten = During this unit, Kindergarten students will...
 * participate in shared reading, listening, and viewing opportunities
 * explore a number of books by a favorite author, Mo Willems, and express opinions about them
 * contribute to the creation of a "Noticing" chart about the author
 * synthesize information about the author and be able to verbally answer the following questions:
 * What kinds of things does Mo Willems write about?
 * What do you like about Mo Willems's books?
 * What are some different things Mo Willems does in his books that you could do in your book?
 * create a book (on own topic) that emulates the work of Mo Willems
 * share books with others
 * reflect on own work

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lesson overview:
During this lesson (see Educator Teaching Materials link on left), students will...
 * Continue to research Mo Willems with guidance of the teacher
 * Contribute to the class's Mo Willems "Noticings" chart
 * Understand that Mo Willems uses speech bubbles as one way to show character talking
 * Learn how to do something that Mo Willems does, make and use speech bubbles
 * Practice making speech bubbles
 * Apply speech bubbles to their own writing

=<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿Fifth Grade = <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">During this unit, 4th & 5th grade students will...
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">select a published author of choice based on interest
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">research and compile a list of books written by that author
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">given unit requirements, prioritize and select books to read by that author
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">in small groups or independently, read multiple texts (depending on length) by the same author
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">use prior knowledge of story elements, text features, and writing techniques/ style to analyze the work of a single author
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">compile a list of noticings about the chosen author
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">after reading mutliple texts and finishing noticings, students will synthesize information to answer the following questions:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">What topics does this author write about?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">What is unique about this author's work or style?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">What holds true for most of the writer's work?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">What might you write that is similar to the work of your chosen author?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">What are some things ___(author) does in his/her writing that you could try out in your own work?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">select the best product to communicate understanding of the author's work and style
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">reflect on/ evaluate own work and the work of others
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">share work with others

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lesson overview:
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">During this lesson (see Educator Teaching Materials link on left), students will...
 * Understand that researchers organize their information
 * Learn one way to organize information
 * Collaborate with others during guided analysis & practice
 * Work with a familiar text to analyze the author's topic, themes, voice, style, and vocabulary
 * Apply strategies for organizing information