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Subject

English Language Arts (2005)

Assessment

project rubric will be used for assessment of PowerPoint slides
*rubric attached

• rubric and powerpoint pointers

Learning Context/ Introduction

Students will work independently to create a five line limerick based on a fairy tale of their choice.

Employing PowerPoint, each student will create a slide show of seven slides. Title Slide, one for each limerick line, and a final slide for pictures cited.

Duration

2 class days - 40 minutes each
2 class days - 40 minutes each for lab time
1 class day - 40 minute presentation

Essential Question

What would the world be like if we told every story in rhyme?
What if every conversation was in a rhyme scheme?
Why don't we always speak in rhymes?

Instructional/Environment Modifications

extended time for students who require extra writing time.
Oral read of all instructions.

Procedure

Day 1 - Oral introduction/lecture on the history of the limerick. Class discussion on rhyme, fairy tales incorporating essential questions. Students brainstorm essential question answers in small groups. Show video clip from The Princess Bride (three men in boat, speaking in rhyme).

Students and teacher will attempt a conversation speaking only in rhyme.
Students will create oral limericks as a whole class effort after being given an opening line by the teacher.
For example: There once was a young man from Potsdam... There once was a student from Brasher...There once was an old English teacher...There once was a young girl from New York...etc.
*Spoken disclaimer on inappropriateness of "dirty limericks" as well as restriction on use of "potty or snotty talk".
Homework: Read some fairy tales tonight.

Day 2 - Discuss rhyming scheme of limericks using slotted note pages. Read aloud limerick samples(either teacher or student volunteers).Student decide which character and fairy tale they will employ in their limerick and write a five line limerick based on aabba rhyme scheme and recommended syllable count of 9 -first line, 9 - second line, 5 - third line, 5-fourth line, and 9 - fifth line.
*limerick note pages attached

Day 3 - Students will spend time in the computer lab creating their PowerPoint slide show by typing in their limerick lines and finding corresponding pictures to enhance each slide. First five minutes in the lab are spent reviewing PowerPoint Pointers handout, checking for understanding concerning expected format, and addressing any technical problems.
POWERPOINT POINTERS
*document attached

Day 4 - Students spend entire class period in the computer lab completing their slide presentations, printing out the handout to be turned in, and placing an electronic copy into the teacher file.

Day 5 -Students will have the option of presenting their PowerPoint using SMART Board to the entire class for a bonus of 5 points to their project final grade.

teacher work sample

Limerick Notes.doc

Reflections and Feedback

Overall, this project met my initial expectations.
I worked through the unit with 4 classes of 20-25 students each of various learning level abilities with the exception of one class of 19 honors students. All students responded well to the idea and of the 88, only 3 received a 0 for non completion.
I would make the following modifications before attempting this learning unit again: 3 full days in computer lab, using second half of final day for optional presentations.
- Absent students needed the extra lab time for successful completion.
- Very few students were willing to present to the class.
Depending on the dynamics of the class, I would read one or two fairy tales aloud and ask the students to limit their limerick to a character from one of those stories or draw characters names out of a hat and assign students to research their character before creating their limerick.

Student Work

PowerPoint Project Samples
A: B: C

The Wicked Witches.ppt

The tortoise and the hare.ppt

Ginger bread man.ppt

Related Resource

The Princess Bride on VHS or DVD
(41 second clip is also accessible on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP5-qJSzDUg)
Fairy tale story books, Limerick samples.
computer lab with internet access, PowerPoint program, SMART Board

Related Academic Standards

New York State

9-10W5 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Apply grade 9/10 Reading standards to both literary and informational text, where applicable.

W.9-10.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

W.9-10.9.a Apply grades 9-10 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work [e.g., how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how a later author draws on a play by Shakespeare]").

WST.9-10.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology's capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

WST.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.

ELA.9.W.2.C Students use resources such as personal experience, knowledge from other content areas, and independent reading to create literary, interpretive, and responsive texts.

MST2.C.P.IS.1.2 Students prepare multimedia presentations demonstrating a clear sense of audience and purpose. (Note: Multimedia may include posters, slides, images, presentation software, etc.)