Project Web Lesson Plan

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of the assigned texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence
  • Analyze and interpret various texts to make logical inferences from them
  • Write routinely over extended frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences
  • Introduce precise knowledgeable claims
  • Establish the significance of the claims
  • Distinguish the claims from opposing claims
  • Create an organization that logically sequences claims
  • Use varied syntax to link major sections of the text
  • Present a concluding statement that follows and supports the argument presented
  • Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking
  • Use technology, including the Internet to produce, publish, and update individual writing products

WRITING EXERCISE ONE

INSTRUCTIONS: Using the handout provided in Project Media lesson one, complete the Bildungsroman (coming of age) writing exercise. Students must write a minimum of 300 words and integrate a minimum of two relevant quotes from the primary text to receive credit for this writing exercise. In-text citations are required. 

Assignment Value: 50 Points

WRITING EXERCISE TWO

INSTRUCTIONS: Using your detailed notes from the Ghosts of Football Past podcast, write a 250-word summary of the events that are outlined in the podcast. Then write a 100-word personal assessment of the treatment of the boys at the Carlisle Indian School.

Assignment Value: 50 Points.

WRITING EXERCISE THREE

INSTRUCTIONS: Write a 250-word book review for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Once done, create a voice recording of your book review and email the link of voice recording/podcast to your teacher. The purpose of this lesson is for you to practice using the audio recording features on your computer, as these will be necessary for your upcoming video essay project.

Assignment Value: 50 Points

PROJECT MEDIA – CULMINATING ESSAY PROJECT

PART ONE: THE VIDEO ESSAY

Requirements for your Video Essay

Using the instructions provided in Project Media lesson four, create your video essay using iMovie. You will need your images, voice recordings, music, and script to create your movie. Be sure to refer to the assignment requirements listed below to ensure successful completion of this project.

  1. Your video essay must be at least 4.5 minutes long and no more than six minutes in duration
  2. The essay must present an argumentative thesis statement
  3. The essay must incorporate at least three quotations from the primary text
  4. Your video essay must contain the elements from your argumentative essay outline
  5. You must use iMovie or a similar software to create your video essay
  6. Once complete, you must upload your video essay to your YouTube account
  7. Once your video essay is uploaded to YouTube, you must send your active link to your teacher
  8. Be prepared to present your video essay in class

PART TWO: THE VIDEO ESSAY SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT

Requirements for your Video Essay Supplementary Report

  • Write a four-page video essay report that includes pertinent evidence/information, images, dialogue that the video may have omitted because of the time constraint (e.g., why the author selected certain clips/images and ignored others, why s/he took on the argument s/he did, and what others might say in response). The author might also consider the project’s aesthetics: the ordering, shot/scene transitions used, background music and narration style chosen, etc. and how these decisions support the thesis and the overall scope of the video essay.
  • The report should restate the thesis.
  • Topic sentences and transition words should function as guideposts, leading the reader from one point to another.
  • The conclusion of the report should sum up the project and ask the viewer to think further about the film, messages, etc.
  • Responses should be free of mechanical, syntactical, grammatical, and function errors.
  • Adhere to the standard MLA 8 requirements for academic essays.

Assignment Value: 300 Points

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY PROMPT SELECTIONS:

Prompt Choice One:

Many readers would call The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian a story about a Native American teen.  Persuade your reader that the novel’s themes are more universal.  What ideas about identity, expectations, humanity could apply to any American, any teen, or anyone?  

Prompt Choice Two:

Do Americans truly value and respect diversity, or are there specific or narrow expectations of what it means to be American that exclude or marginalize some citizens of our nation?