Name:

Cam Bailey

Topic: Favorite Animal Creative Writing

Date:
3/1/2016
Standards of Learning Plan Format
Virginia Teachers for
Tomorrow

Title

Favorite Animal Stories

Standard(s) of
Learning

5.7 The student will write for a variety of purposes: to describe, to inform, to entertain, to explain,
and to persuade.
e) Write multiparagraph compositions.
f) Use precise and descriptive vocabulary to create tone and voice.
g) Vary sentence structure by using transition words.
h) Revise for clarity of content using specific vocabulary and information.
5.9 The student will find, evaluate, and select appropriate resources for a research product.
b) Collect information from multiple resources including online, print, and media.
c) Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate
information.
f) Give credit to sources used in research.
Creative Writing
Research
Fact
Opinion
Point of View
Laptops
Library Books
Paper
Pencils
Begin the lesson by asking the class what their favorite animal is. Call on several students and ask
why that animal is their favorite. Then introduce my favorite animal, and real aloud my creative
writing example. Then explain what the students will be doing to create the same writing.
1. Lesson on the difference between facts and opinions. Provide examples. Then have the
students work individually on worksheets, selecting if a sentence is a fact or opinion, and
then making their own fact and opinion sentences. Let a couple students share to the
class.
2. Allow the students to research facts on their favorite animal. Either library books or
laptops can be used. Stress the importance of writing down facts. Allow for time in two
different class days and suggest research at home.
3. Instruct the students to then brainstorm opinions about their favorite animal.
4. Brief lesson on point of view, explain first person point of view writing. Read a couple
short examples of first person writing.
5. Have students construct a pre-write, compiling all their facts and opinions. Also
brainstorm short story ideas for their animal. Check each students progress.
6. Begin writing in class. Assign a first draft to be due in two classes.
7. Check for the students first draft. Meet individually and read over their writing, edit and
revise with the student. Provide feedback.
8. Inform the class their final draft will be due in two classes. Make myself available for any
questions.
9. Collect the students products.
Allow for extra research time for students who process new information slowly. Accommodate

Key Vocabulary/
Concepts

Materials

Introduction (Hook)

Instructional
Activities/Strategies

Accommodations,

Name:

Cam Bailey

Topic: Favorite Animal Creative Writing

Date:
3/1/2016
Standards of Learning Plan Format
Virginia Teachers for
Tomorrow

If necessary

Closure Activity

Follow-Up/
Homework
REFLECTION
(TO BE COMPLETED AFTER
YOU TEACH)

for more individual time for students who struggle to write creatively. Allow parents to assist in
editing of grammar. If students wish to pursue further research than the allotted time, then an
extra day will be added.
Students can volunteer or be selected to read their product to the class. I will mount their writing
and attach a photo of their animal to be hung inside or outside the class. The students can vote
whose writing was the best or most creative.
Reflection Worksheet: Is that animal still your favorite animal? What is the coolest thing you
learned about your favorite animal? What is something you learned about one of your friends
animals?