Section 5: Overview

Culminating Task

We will prepare to write, develop, and publish an original narrative as a Culminating Task for the unit. We will reflect on the understanding we’ve built through our study of the unit texts by incorporating elements of storytelling into our own narratives. We will prepare for the Application Unit by previewing possible questions and tasks that relate to this unit.

• Lesson 1:

  We will watch several Pixar videos to help us think about how we are storytellers and how we can conceive a story we want to tell. We will review the requirements and options for the final narrative writing task to determine which option we will pursue. Then we will identify the organization for our narrative and build a general storyboard. In writing pairs, we will present and discuss our initial ideas for our narrative and receive constructive feedback from our partners.

• Lesson 2:

  We will continue to plan our narratives by thinking about the sequence of events that will make up its plot. We will develop a storyboard to represent our story plan and discuss ideas with a writing partner.

• Lesson 3:

  We will draft the opening scenes of our narrative. We will view a Pixar video called “Act 1” that is focused on how to set the scene of a story, and we will discuss ideas with a writing partner.

• Lesson 4:

  We will draft the middle scenes of our narrative. In preparation, we will view a Pixar video, “Act 2,” which focuses on how to develop conflicts and complications in the middle parts of a story, and we will discuss ideas with writing partners.

• Lesson 5:

  We will draft the closing scenes of our narrative. We will view the “Act 3” Pixar video, which focuses on how to build to a climax and resolve a storyline in a narrative.

• Lesson 6:

  We will review the coherence of our narratives and work to improve the vividness of our stories by considering the imagery we have used and the language and syntax of our sentences. We will review models from some of the stories we have read and from the Claims Reference Guide, which lists vigorous, active verbs. Following a peer review, we will use constructive feedback to revise and improve our narratives.

• Lesson 7:

  We will do the final editing of our narratives, including reviews to ensure that we have consistently used verb tenses, correctly punctuated dialogue, and used other conventions appropriately. We will publish our narratives in a final form.

• Lesson 8:

  We will share and submit our final narratives and reflect on what we have learned about storytelling and the elements of narration. We will complete a self-assessment of our work and learning in the unit and will prepare for the end-of-year Application Unit by previewing possible questions and tasks that relate to this unit.

• Lesson 9:

  In a culminating activity, we share the knowledge we have gained and the connections we have made by reading our independent reading texts.