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New books for Newcomers by Newcomers
Description:
A middle school unit for students who are new to the U.S. and just learning English as a second language. Currently, there are very few age-appropriate books at the reading level needed by these students. Most ESL students are unwilling to checkout Level 1 books because they perceive the subject matter as too young and not of interest to them. Working in groups of 2 or 3, ESL students will select a topic that is of interest to them (e.g., a famous sports figure or musician, animal, sport) and write a book that will ultimately be desktop published, cataloged and entered into the library's collection for future circulation among ESL students.
Goals & Objectives:
Students will increase their English language vocabulary through the writing and editing process. Students will build information gathering skills through the research process. Students will achieve a sense of accomplishment by creating a work that will remain in the school library for others' use.
Materials & Sources:
Support materials include white board/markers, story web worksheets, book template (with text and image areas delineated), research materials (internet access, periodicals, books), old magazines to be cut up and used as illustration (alternatively paper and markers can be used for student-made illustrations), Lintor Publishing Package software and materials for desktop publishing of students' books.
Procedures:

Class 1 - Introduce students to new project and process of assignment (show a sample book produced by the teacher). Discuss with students the process for picking a book topic. Brainstorm possible ideas that interest the students. Hand out story web worksheets and have students develop a web of topics that interest them. Have students select a single topic and write 2 sentences about that topic. Collect story web worksheets at the end of class. Teacher work between Class 1 and 2 - Using a list of topics drawn from the students' story webs, gather research materials for students to use in writing their books. Also gather a selection of old magazines that students can use to cut and select photos/images for illustrations in their books. Working with classroom teacher, place students in project teams of 2-3.

 

Class 2 - Have students gather in assigned groups. Hand out template for book with text and image requirements. Have students begin research with selected materials or on the internet with the goal of having a rough draft of 3 paragraphs at the end of class. Collect group work. Teacher work between classes 2 and 3 - Edit writing samples. Supplement research materials and illustration materials for Class 3.

 

Class 3 - Hand out edited work and direct students to continue working as necessary. Final editing, title development and selection of illustrations for some groups; continued research and writing for others. Aim to have some completed books by the end of this class. Teacher work between classes 3 and 4 - Edit writing and picture selection.

 

Class 4 - Students with completed drafts will work on computers to design their books in the Lintor Publishing Package. Other student groups will continue work on their drafts. Teacher work between classes 4 and 5 - Review and edit books on computer; print and bind completed books.

 

Class 5 - All student groups will finalize their projects this class. Those with completed books can share their books with other groups.

Assessment:
Students efforts will be evaluated through a review of the final product and the process by which the students complete their work.
Sources:
Lintor Publishing, Inc.
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Presented By: Winnie Barnes
Website by Data Momentum, Inc.