Big Idea: Biographies and autobiographies

Guiding Questions: what do you learn about yourself by studying the lives of others, past and present?

Instructional Focus:

Authors Purpose (From Judy @ Brody)

Here is the resource I used with my students to discuss author's purpose. I played the speech for them two times and asked them to talk at their tables about whether the speech was to inform, entertain or persuade. They shared out and we discussed. I then asked them to write down on a sticky words from their speech that indicated their choice. I did a think aloud of the speech and its meanings and implications.
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/nativeamericans/chiefbuckongahelas.htm

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/nativeamericans/chieftecumseh.htm


Main Idea and Supporting Details (From Judy @ Brody)

I found this interview with Julia Alvarez—Name/Nombres this week—and used 17 minutes of this with my class. We focused on main ideas (big ideas) we heard her say about being a writer and then listened for supporting details. They recorded this in a 2 column paper. I had mostly thumbs-ups as a rating for the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ2xe2OFTX8

Speaking and Listening 5

Use multimedia components and visual displays to clarify claims and findings, and emphasize salient points in a presentation.

Possible Resources:
www.prezi.com
www.photopeach.com
www.glogster.com
www.animoto.com
www.Xtranormal.com