LS 521- Spring ‘02
4/22/02
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS GEARED TOWARDS 4TH GRADE,
BUT MAY BE MODIFIED FOR OTHER STUDENTS
Introduction:
Every
day in our lives we must make choices.
Sometimes the choices are simple; such as whether to have pizza or a
burrito for lunch. Other times we must
make choices between right and wrong.
As we grow older and wiser, we learn many lessons. These lessons are learned by sharing
experiences with each other. We have
been learning and discussing fables.
The unique aspect (part) of fables that we have been concentrating on is
that of morals.
Information:
From your
parents to MTV (site not age appropriate), people will try to tell you what is
right, and what is wrong. Many times it
is clear, but other times it is not.
What if everyone else is doing it?
What if you have never tried something before? These are all questions that everyone must face, almost every
day. According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (http://www.m-w.com/home.htm),
a moral is “relating to the principles of right and wrong in behavior.” As we have seen in our classroom discussions
about fables, morals are often learned.
Today you will be examining the storys of children from under-privileged
backgrounds who learn about morals through their own experiences.
Activity:
You
will be using the Ghetto Kids Educational
Site website (http://www.ghettokidshood.com/educational.html). Once on that site, you may choose one of the
fictional characters from the bottom menu.
You will have an opportunity to learn about all of them, so do not worry
about picking the “perfect” one. You
may browse (search) through the offerings, because each child will tell you
what their story is about.
Pick a
character by clicking on the child’s face.
You will be presented with a brief description of each, and some
options. YOU ARE TO CLICK WHERE IT SAYS
“Choose a Level” AND YOU WILL CHOOSE “Level 4”. Read through the entire story.
Each contains a comic strip, as well as text below, so read both. Be sure to look at the characters, their
actions, and their words. Once you have
completed the reading, continue on to the assignment.
Assignment:
Take
out your Writing Journals and write the date on the top. Then write at least three sentences about
the story. What was the moral? If you need to,
you can check back for the definition, or ask for help. Remember to use smart responses! (According to the text..”, “An example was ..”) Then write down at least three (3) things from the story that reminded you of some of the fables we have looked at. Is it easy to see in the pictures who is bad or good? Do the pictures go along with the story? Once you are finished, please write a personal reaction to this story that you will have the opportunity to share (if you want to). Have you ever had that happen to you? How did you feel? How would you have felt if you had been the one in the story?
We
will see who in the class choose which character, and then will have a brief discussion
about each one.
Rubric:
|
|
Outstanding |
Satisfactory |
Needs work |
|
Summary |
Student included all important
aspects of the story in an organized manner. |
Student followed directions
and provided a summary. |
Student left out important
parts and/or had incomplete work. |
|
List |
Accurately describes more than
three story aspects that were “fable”-like |
Three points presented in a
straight forward manner. |
Missing points and details.
Not organized. |
|
Reflection |
Insightful conclusions and
connections made. |
Accurate comparison and
conclusions. |
Poor or no comparison made
with little or no support for ideas. |