Unit Overview
The students in this 4th grade classroom are being asked to write a children’s picture book of their choosing. I have determined that it would be best to allow the student some choice as to the topic they would in which they would like to write. This element is extremely important as it instills a sense of responsibility and ownership of their own learning. Each student group must choose two story ideas, and write a brief summary of which they will select one to write about with the guidance of the teacher.The students will engage in a writer’s workshop, and will work together through the writing process –one step at a time. My students will develop their story idea through the following steps: Prewriting, drafting, editing/revising, final drafting, and publishing. As the students work through these particular stages of writing, they will have opportunity to work in groups and partners for peer editing/revising. The students will type their book into an online publishing program called www.studentreasures.com. This website allows for the students to type their book, choose their font type and size, add images, and create their very own avatar of themselves. Once their book is typed and finished, they will submit the book to me and I will send it in for publishing. Their books will be mailed as a hard bound edition to the school in which we will share them together by taking turns reading them aloud.
This unit will integrate social studies as we will study famous authors who have come from the Northeastern states. We have been studying this region together in our social studies block, so this will integrate perfectly.
I believe that this unit will be meaningful for each child as they adventure together to learn about the writing process and publish their very own book.
