Heath Sorey

October 12, 2014

English 9 Unit
-Writing
Grade Level
-9th
Time Duration
-90 minutes (one class period)
Materials Needed
-Computers
-Internet Access for Mindmap (www.bubbl.us/mindmap)
-Word/Pages to write Essay
Standard(s) Taught
-9.6a: Generate, gather, and organize ideas for writing.
-9.6b: Plan and organize writing to address a specific audience and purpose.
Lesson Purpose
-The student will develop brainstorming strategies for writing that will aid in future
essays. Students will also learn how to respond to a prompt as well as write in the first-person
narrative structure. Using Mindmap will allow students to visualize and organize their thoughts
before writing. Ultimately, the goal of this lesson is to assuage fears of originating thought when
writing.
Activity
-Lesson will begin with 10-15 minutes of discussion about brainstorming. An improv
warm-up game, such as Zip Zap Zop, may be played in conjunction.
-Students will spend the next 30-45 minutes responding to an Virginia SOL EOC Writing
Prompt using Mindmap. They will be asked for one main topic, and then three (3) supporting
positions and (3) negative positions. Negative and Positive positions must be different colors.
-Each Mindmap will be sent to or presented to the instructor for verification and
consultation
-Students will then spend the rest of class developing short essays using their Mindmaps.
Assessment
-Class discussion/improv game will be graded within participation grades
-Instructor will count Mindmaps as a class activity. Students will be graded out of 10
points.
-2 points for main idea
-1 point for each positive or negative support (6 points)
-1 point for bubble colors for negative and positive (2 points)

-After completion of Mindmaps, students will work towards writing their essays on the prompt.
The essays will carry over to the unit on 9.6e-i. Students will continue to work on the essay,
going through a number of revisions before a final grade.
Commentary/Adaptability
-Most of the assignment should be able to be completed within class time. Mindmaps
should not be a difficult endeavor. Problems may arise with using the online program, which
will require the help of the instructor or peers. Improv games, while not technological, are used
to energize students minds when class begins. Overall, it is meant as a class activity and not an
end-of-unit project. Mindmaps are meant as a skill building tool, thus the extensive use in class.
Price should not be a concern. Students will only be sharing one (1) Mindmap and cost does not
accrue until a user shares three (3) Mindmaps.
Exemplar
-An instructor exemplar can be found here:
https://bubbl.us/?h=240499/48d4f7/23nYICtYqoUCw&r=376784565