Ashley K and Robyn's plan

We are going to start this Grade Four Language Arts by re-reading the story of Little Red Riding Hood. This will make sure that every student is familiarized with the story. The second lesson will be used to introduce the idea of persuasive writing. We will model examples to help illustrate what the expectations are of the assignment. We will use a triangle outline (See example) to organize the main focus to which the students have to convince another party. This should take one class period. Our main example will be to convince one’s caregiver why they should buy them an iPod for Christmas. The third lesson will entail dividing the class into groups of four where they will brainstorm and write descriptions of the characters in the story. This will be useful with the exploratory and expressive language they will want to use in their Reader’s Theatre scripts (This concept they are already familiar with). This will take approximately a period and a half. Hopefully, by the fourth day the groups will be starting to write their rough draft. We will be giving the students a second class; however they will be working in a computer lab to finalize their script and to make any necessary corrections with spelling and grammar. This will be handed in at the end of the performance. The sixth day will be rehearsal where the students are allowed to bring in props and possible costume pieces that are appropriate for their characters. In the next physical education class the students will work with their scripts and be given the opportunity to physically and vocally create their characters. This will benefit the type of tone and dynamics they will use in their voice on the final presentation. The final lesson will allow the students to rehearse and make final touches to their play. Therefore, the last half of the class will be used to perform their Reader’s Theatre and for the teacher to videotape it. Overall this should take approximately nine days.

Bibliography
Bearne, E., & Wolstencroft, H. (2007). Visual Approaches to Teaching Writing. London: Paul Chapman Publishing.

Improvisation with Favorite Tales. Integrating Drama into the Reading/Writing Classroom. Heinemann Educational Books, Portsmouth, NH. 1992.

This book offers several ideas for drama games and activities revolving around the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Most of the games are improvisational and use Transformation and Narrative Pantomime acting games to develop the characters in the story. There are small group, partner, and solo activities that could be used in a gym or larger playing space.

Janeczko, P. (2003). Scholastic Guides: Writing Winning Reports and
Essays . New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

This book offers students/teachers a chance to see qualities of good Persuasive Writing. It also included information on how to improve essays and reports. It was well-organized and each type of writing had enough information about for one to grasp an understanding of what it should look like.

Little Red Riding Hood. Retold and Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman.
Holiday, 1983.Ruth Beall Heinig.

This is a book based on the original story by the Grimms brothers. The illustrations are very detailed and enhance the text in several ways. The age group specified for this particular book is 8-12 years of age.

Nelson, (1999). Language Arts 3: Hand in Hand. Scarborough, Ontario:
Mark Cobham.

This book offered very little to no information on persuasive writing or Reader’s Theatre. It was more effective as a step by step book to help develop the stages of learning for an elementary classroom.