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All grades  Project 3 weeks

"Tales of Twelfth Grade Triumphs"

Maria P
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.2
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.3
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.4
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.5
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Purpose

The purpose of this learning experience is to engage 12th-grade students in an immersive exploration of classic short stories through a project-based approach that emphasizes critical analysis and creative expression. By participating in activities such as a Literary Escape Room and a Literary Devices Workshop, students will deepen their understanding of literary techniques and their impact on storytelling. This experience aims to foster students' analytical skills, enhance their ability to convey complex ideas through writing, and encourage them to draw connections between historical and contemporary literature. Through reflection and peer critique, students will refine their interpretive skills and develop a nuanced appreciation for the power of language in literature.

Learning goals

Students will analyze and interpret complex themes and emotions in literature through the exploration of literary devices such as similes, personification, and imagery. They will develop skills in writing informative texts and citing textual evidence to support their analyses, focusing on the author's choices in developing story elements. By engaging in creative projects and comparative essays, students will deepen their understanding of narrative structures and language choices, fostering their ability to critique and revise their work effectively.
Standards
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.2 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.1 - Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.3 - Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed).
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.5 - Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text (e.g., the choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic or tragic resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.9 - Demonstrate knowledge of eighteenth-, nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century foundational works of American literature, including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics.
Competencies
  • Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.

Products

Throughout this learning experience, students will create a series of multimedia projects that visually or audibly represent key scenes from selected short stories, demonstrating their understanding of literary devices. They will also develop comparative essays analyzing thematic and structural elements across different periods of literature, culminating in a peer-reviewed publication of their work. Additionally, students will design interactive activities for the 'Literary Devices Workshop,' showcasing their mastery of similes, personification, and imagery through creative writing exercises.

Launch

Organize a 'Literary Escape Room' where students solve puzzles based on themes, characters, and settings from classic short stories, encouraging them to apply their analytical skills in a fun and engaging environment. This immersive experience will spark curiosity and set the stage for deeper exploration of literary elements and devices throughout the project. It will also foster collaboration and critical thinking as students work together to unlock the mysteries of the stories.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Literary Devices Workshop' where they lead interactive sessions showcasing their mastery of similes, personification, and imagery through selected short stories. Participants will engage in hands-on activities to experiment with these techniques in their own creative writing. The exhibition will include student-created visual displays and live readings, inviting attendees to explore the impact of literary devices on storytelling and emotional expression.