Grade 7
Language Arts
Writing
Standard 2

WRITING APPLICATIONS.
(GENRES AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS)


 
Resources
Lesson Plans
Assessments
A Proud Taste for 
Scarlet and Miniver,
by E.L. Konigsburg.
1.) After reading A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver, have students do a Character Sketch: Instruct students to reflect on a particular character, such as a knight in shining armor, about whom they learned in social studies. Have students characterize a knight by creating a folder that has a picture, either drawn or cut-out from a magazine or other source, and a completed character sketch form which provides believable, detailed, written information Students should first create a rough draft of the written part and share it with peers, before creating a final folder. Historical Fiction Story: Have students listen to tales or children's books to distinguish cultural or historical facts from fiction. Using facts from the stories, information learned in social studies, and the character sketches they have already created, have students write a short story that can be considered historical fiction. Their character sketch "character" should be the main character of the story. Students should take their short story through the writing process.
1.) Character Sketch: The assessment is based on the completeness and accuracy of the student's character sketch. Character Sketch Criteria:
  • appropriate wording and speech for the character are used
  • character is believable
  • details are historically accurate
  • historical facts that teach about the time period are included
  • neatness, completeness, and creativity are demonstrated.

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    2.) Historical Fiction Story: Students can assess their own stories based on the following elements which can be used in a rubric. Students can assign themselves a score of 5-1, with 5 being the highest, in each of the following areas:

  • I used details to help create a believable world. 
  • I used dialogue, actions, emotions, and others' thoughts to develop the character 
  • I firmly established setting/ background information and conflict or tension.
  • I hold the reader's interest through a series of events 
  • My story has a definite, satisfying ending. 
  • I edited for convention errors.

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    My favorite line in my story is _______, because__________.

    If I had more time the one thing I would change about my story is ___________________.

    Overall, I would give myself a score of ______, because____.

    Teacher Comments: ________.