Informational Text Unit

Class Wikibooks
http://mseap.wikispaces.com/Grade7

What I Learned (L of K-W-L chart):
In EAP class, we've been studying informational texts (non-fiction) and learning how to write our own informational text in the form of a Wikibook.

Some things I learned while teaching this unit:
I have never been a big fan of reading non-fiction but I have to say that I have a new appreciation for both reading and writing non-fiction. The reason we (Woo Hee, Dana and I) chose to teach this unit on non-fiction texts came from the students' needs to access and comprehend the content in their core classes and instructional materials, whether a text book, non-fiction informational text, web sites, and more.

I tried to teach the content as explicitly as possible and learned that good writing takes time, lots and lots of time. Not only does it take lots of time but it takes a ton of drafts and mini-lessons and an environment where we, as writers, can take lots of risks even if it means making mistakes. I also learned that the mini-lessons (transitions, lead sentences, word choice, ideas, organization, etc.) were most effective when we were able to apply the learning and practice to our own writing. Mentor texts are good models but without the comparison of and to our writing, they wouldn't be as meaningful.I used the teaching model of the gradual release of responsibility--first developed by Pearson & Gallagher (1993)--with the goal of supporting and empowering the grade 7 writers.

The end result? The students were able to produce authentic texts that were just as good if not better than the mentor texts here.

Basketball

10/8: Okay, I know, there is a real need to get on with the writing process here! I have brainstormed my topic (basketball) and I have done a timed free-write for 20 minutes.

I am missing a lot.

Can you help me with this piece of work--specifically with the writing trait of organization? Look at the rubric for our informational text so to remind you of what we are looking for in our writing.



Brainstorming:

Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891.
5 players on the court at one time.
Fun. Competitive. Exciting.
Offense, defense.
Mascots are funny.
Cheerleaders are silly.
4 quarters, 2 halves, halftime.
Coach, assistant coach.
Pro teams
College teams
School team: JIS Dragons

Basketball is a sport that has been around a long time. Long enough that way back in the "good ol' days, girls weren't even allowed to play. When they were finally given permission, they played on one half only and wore the strangest uniforms! Girls basketball is still different from boy's basketball but only in one small way. The size of the basketball is the only difference.

There are professional basketball leagues in almost every country in the world. Something new, only created less than ten years ago, is the women's professional league. I have to admit that I have never seen a game live and, when there is a game on TV, I'll watch for only a few minutes. Growing up watching men's basketball. . .

Growing up, I remember watching the LA Lakers with my dad. I loved watching the players these years: Kareem Abdul Jabar, Magic Johnson, Bill Lambeer, etc. They were great. Then came along Michael Jordan and professional basketball hasn't been the same since.

When I moved to Oregon from California, my 10th grade year of high school, I started playing basketball because there wasn't a lot to do. It's funny that I hadn't played before since my dad was always a basketball coach. I remember my first game. I hoped that my team mates wouldn't pass me the ball. There were so many rules to remember and they all went out of my head when it was game time. I'll just put it this way: I didn't play a lot those first weeks of games and when I did play, the ref's whistle called out lots of traveling calls of me.

I put in hours and hours of practice to get better. I went into school a few hours before it started several times a week. Every weekend was spent practicing my shots. Over and over and over until I had the technique to actually get the ball near the goal. I bent the basketball rim on the hoop in our barn. I improved enough to be selected for a team that traveled to Eastern Europe and played all summer long. I was the only high school student amongst the college players. All summer long I played basketball, practiced and steadily got better and better and made varsity the next year.

I also played in college.

I still play today. I also coach basketball. I have coached a variety of teams from grade 8 boys to varsity girls.

Kitten Calisthenics

This represents a part of me. Why do you think I chose this video?

What Book is This?

Entry Point 2

A few things that make me angry:
Prejudice
Bad drivers
Onions

Things that make me happy:
Spending time with friends and family
Playing basketball
Hiking and camping
Eating ice cream

My favorite activities:
Basketball
Reading
Hanging out with friends and family

The people I think about the most:
My daughter and husband
My mom and dad
My students

What I'm thinking about when I look out the window during class:
How much I have on my "to do" list!
Making plans for the weekend

What my friends and I like to talk about:
Relationships
History (our history)
Catching up when we haven't seen each other for a while

Entry Point 1

Blog entry 1: writing workshop

Five things I know a lot about:

1. basketball
2. reading
3. traveling

4. peanut butter and chocolate ice cream

5. grade 7 students

Five things I'm really interested in:


1. traveling to new places
2. finding new authors/books
3. writing
4. gardening
5. hiking and camping


Five things I don't know anything about but I still think are cool:

1. sharks
2. skydiving
3. bugs
4. film making (on a large scale)
5. web page design