Signature Assignment

Driving Question: How can we use writing to express ourselves for a public
audience?

Lesson Objective: Students will be able to identify the main reasons they write and
the main themes they find most compelling. They will be able to
explain how these themes might be explored through creative
writing.

Standard: 11-12.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences

or events using effective technique, well‐chosen details, and well‐structured event
sequences.
a. Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation
and its significance, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing
a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression of experiences or events.
b. Use narrative techniques to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
c. Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another
to create a coherent whole and particular tone and outcome.
d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory
language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or
characters.
e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced,
observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.

“Engage”
“Entry Event” Activity
Why I Write Watch this video.

Based on your prior knowledge and on the assignments you’ve

done in this class, why do you think people write? Consider
topics people write about and the audiences they write for.

List two reasons you think people write and one reason you
write. Post your response to the Jamboard.
 “Explore”
Learn
Read your classmates’ responses on the Jamboard. In your
small groups, discuss: which responses resonate with you?
Which responses are harder to relate to?

Now, think about major themes that people often explore in

creative writing. With your group, come up with two themes
that you think are especially important or interesting. Post your
group’s response to the Jamboard.

“Explain” to Others
Choose two members of your group (one for each of your
themes). Those group members will briefly explain why you
chose each theme during whole class discussion.

All your chosen themes have been added to a poll. Think about
why you write and how your classmates justified their themes
during discussion. Choose the theme you, personally, would be
most interested in exploring through creative writing.

Elaborate
There is a breakout room for each of the top five themes;
please join the room for the theme you would most like to
write about. There should be about six students per theme.

In your new groups, discuss: why did you choose this

theme? How can people use creative writing to explore it?
Are there any pieces of writing you can think of that do a
good job of exploring this theme? Post your group’s
 responses on the Jamboard.

“Evaluate” What You Know

What is a Chapbook? Read this article.

In this project-based learning unit, each group will be working

together to make a chapbook that explores their chosen theme.
Each student will contribute pieces of writing; you may also
collaborate with your classmates to write pieces together.

For your exit ticket: think about the writing you’ve done in the
past, for this course, for other courses, or on your own. Have
you ever explored your group’s theme through creative
writing? Can you think of any past pieces you might want to
include in the chapbook? If so, briefly explain what the piece
is and why you want to use it. If not, briefly explain what kind
of piece you might write for this chapbook and why.

Extend the Learning

Instructions: Insert enrichment opportunities to extend learning, possible

connections to the next lesson or student determined next steps