Slam Dunk Storytelling Showdown

4th Grade

Project
4 weeks

Slam Dunk Storytelling Showdown

Rachel Morrison

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.1

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.10

Purpose

This project immerses fourth-grade students in the world of sports literature and opinion writing, encouraging them to explore the timeless stories of iconic athletes. Through diverse activities such as analyzing Kobe Bryant's poem, engaging in revision stations, and debating the merits of Michael Jordan versus LeBron James, students develop critical thinking and writing skills. The project fosters a deeper understanding of literary devices and argumentation, culminating in dynamic experiences that showcase their learning and analytical abilities.

Learning goals

Students will analyze Kobe Bryant's poem "Dear Basketball" to identify literary devices and apply these techniques to create their own sports-themed poem. They will develop opinion writing skills by constructing arguments on the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate, supported by evidence and reasoning. Through varied critique and revision activities, students will strengthen their writing by focusing on thesis strength, evidence integration, and conclusion effectiveness. The project will enhance students' abilities to read and comprehend literature and articulate well-supported arguments, aligning with the specified literacy standards.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.1 - Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.10 - By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, in the grades 4—5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

Products

Students will craft their own sports-themed poem inspired by Kobe Bryant's "Dear Basketball," incorporating literary devices they have analyzed. They will also write an opinion piece arguing who was better in their prime, Michael Jordan or LeBron James, supported by researched evidence. The project will culminate in a live debate where students present their arguments, showcasing their ability to use valid reasoning and evidence. As students rotate through revision stations, they will refine their drafts, culminating in polished final pieces that demonstrate their growth in literary analysis and argument writing.

Launch

Kick off the project with an interactive March Madness introduction where students explore the history and cultural impact of the tournament. Facilitate a group activity where students collaboratively fill out tournament brackets, predicting outcomes and discussing their choices. This shared experience will ignite enthusiasm and create a foundation for the project's exploration of sports figures and their timeless stories.

Exhibition

At the culmination of the project, host a "March Madness Literary Showcase" where students present their original poems inspired by Kobe Bryant's "Dear Basketball" and participate in a live debate on the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James topic. Invite families and school community members to attend, allowing students to share their work and engage in discussions about their analyses and arguments. Organize a gallery walk featuring students' poems and opinion pieces, where attendees can provide feedback and celebrate the students' achievements.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	March Madness Introduction - Introduce March Madness, discuss its history and cultural impact, and have students select teams for bracket predictions (20 min) Essential Question Exploration - Present the essential question, 'What makes a sports figure's story timeless?' and discuss initial thoughts (25 min)	Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball' Reading - Read and listen to Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball' as a class, discussing initial impressions (20 min) Literary Devices Identification - Identify literary devices used in 'Dear Basketball,' such as imagery and metaphor, and discuss their impact on storytelling (25 min)	Sports-Themed Poem Brainstorming - Brainstorm ideas for original sports-themed poems using literary devices discussed, emphasizing personal connections to sports (15 min) Drafting Personal Poem - Begin drafting personal sports-themed poems, focusing on incorporating identified literary devices (30 min)	Opinion Writing Introduction - Introduce the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate, and discuss what makes a strong opinion argument (20 min) Research and Evidence Gathering - Conduct research on Michael Jordan and LeBron James, gathering evidence to support their opinion writing (25 min)	Opinion Writing Draft - Begin drafting the opinion piece, using evidence gathered to support claims about who was better in their prime (30 min) Peer Sharing and Feedback - Share drafts with peers for initial feedback, focusing on clarity of argument and strength of evidence (15 min)
Deliverables
Preparation

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Poem Draft Sharing and Feedback - Share personal sports-themed poem drafts in small groups, providing feedback on the use of literary devices and emotional impact (25 min) Poem Revision Workshop - Revise sports-themed poems based on peer feedback, focusing on enhancing literary devices and personal expression (20 min)	Opinion Writing Structuring - Outline the structure of the opinion piece on Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James, emphasizing thesis and evidence organization (20 min) Evidence Integration Practice - Practice integrating researched evidence into opinion writing, ensuring clarity and relevance to arguments (25 min)	Revision Station Rotation - Participate in revision stations to focus on thesis strength, evidence integration, and conclusion effectiveness in opinion writing (30 min) Reflective Journaling - Reflect on personal progress in writing skills and set goals for improvement using a rubric (15 min)	Debate Preparation - Prepare for the upcoming debate by refining arguments, anticipating counterarguments, and practicing effective presentation skills (25 min) Opinion Piece Refinement - Continue refining opinion pieces, incorporating feedback from revision stations and strengthening arguments (20 min)	Mock Debate - Engage in a mock debate to practice presenting arguments and receive feedback on delivery and evidence usage (25 min) Final Opinion Writing Touch-Ups - Make final revisions to opinion pieces, ensuring coherence and alignment with the debate preparation (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Each student will submit a revised draft of their sports-themed poem, incorporating feedback from the revision stations and peer review.
Preparation	1. Print copies of Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball' for each student. 2. Create anchor charts highlighting key literary devices and examples. 3. Set up revision stations with prompts and resources at each station. 4. Prepare self-assessment rubrics for students to use in evaluating their work. 5. Organize materials for peer review, including feedback forms and reflective journals.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Revision Station Rotation - Rotate through stations focused on thesis strength, evidence integration, and conclusion effectiveness, receiving targeted feedback (45 min)	Self-Assessment with Rubric - Evaluate personal work against a rubric, reflecting on strengths and areas for improvement in literary analysis and argument writing (25 min) Peer Review and Feedback - Pair up to provide constructive feedback on each other's work, focusing on clarity and argument effectiveness (20 min)	Poem Refinement - Refine sports-themed poems by revisiting literary devices and ensuring emotional impact (25 min) Opinion Piece Enhancement - Enhance opinion writing by incorporating peer feedback and strengthening evidence (20 min)	Debate Preparation - Prepare arguments for the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate, organizing notes and evidence (20 min) Debate Rehearsal - Practice presenting arguments in small groups, focusing on clarity and persuasion (25 min)	Debate Day - Conduct a class debate on who was better in their prime, Michael Jordan or LeBron James, showcasing evidence and reasoning (30 min) Reflection and Goal Setting - Reflect on debate performance and set goals for the final week of the project (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Revised draft of sports-themed poem incorporating literary devices. 2. Completed self-assessment rubric with reflections on areas for improvement. 3. Participation in the mock debate preparation session with refined arguments. 4. Engagement in the live debate with evidence-backed arguments.
Preparation	1. Print copies of sports literature or articles for Monday's activity. 2. Set up 'Revision Stations' with necessary materials: feedback forms, mini-lesson guides, and exemplars. 3. Prepare self-assessment rubrics and reflection prompts for Wednesday's workshop. 4. Organize debate format and guidelines for Thursday's and Friday's sessions. 5. Ensure technology setup (microphones, cameras) for recording the debate if needed.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Poem Draft Sharing - Partner up to share the final drafts of sports-themed poems, providing feedback on literary devices and emotional impact (25 min) Poem Reflection and Revision - Reflect on feedback received and make final revisions to enhance literary quality and personal expression in poems (20 min)	Opinion Piece Finalization - Review and make final adjustments to opinion pieces, ensuring coherence and alignment with debate arguments (20 min) Peer Review for Clarity - Exchange opinion pieces with peers for a final round of feedback focusing on clarity and persuasiveness (25 min)	Debate Rehearsal - Conduct small group rehearsals of debate arguments, practicing delivery and refining evidence presentation (25 min) Debate Strategy Session - Develop strategies for counterarguments and effective rebuttals in preparation for the final debate (20 min)	Final Debate Presentation - Present polished arguments in a class debate on Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James, showcasing evidence and reasoning (30 min) Debate Reflections - Reflect on the debate experience, discussing what was learned and how arguments could be improved (15 min)	Project Showcase Preparation - Prepare for the 'March Madness Literary Showcase,' organizing poems and opinion pieces for presentation (25 min) Reflection and Celebration - Reflect on project achievements and celebrate successes with peers and invited guests during the showcase (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Revised opinion piece on Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James. 2. Finalized sports-themed poem inspired by Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball'. 3. Participation in live debate during March Madness Literary Showcase.
Preparation	1. Set up revision stations with materials for feedback on thesis strength, evidence integration, and conclusion effectiveness. 2. Provide rubrics for self-assessment and reflection activities. 3. Prepare debate guidelines and structure, including timing and rules for presentations. 4. Organize the March Madness Literary Showcase, including invitations for families and school community members. 5. Arrange a gallery walk for displaying poems and opinion pieces with space for feedback.