Teacher: Meg Strauss Date: January 30th, 2016

School: Holyoke Junior High School Grade Level: 8th

Content Area: English
Title: Introduction to Personal Memoirs Lesson #:_1_ of _16_

Colorado State Standards Addressed:

Standard 1.2.e: Ask questions to clarify inferences
Standard 2.1.b.ii: Analyze how the differing structure of texts contributes to its meaning and style.
Standard 3.1.a.v: Establish and maintain a controlling idea appropriate to audience and purpose

Understandings:
Students will understand the purpose and structure of a personal memoir.

Inquiry Questions:
In what ways does the personal memoir differ from the other writing styles we have learned? What makes a
compelling story?

Evidence Outcomes: (Learning Targets)

I can: understand the purpose and parts of a personal memoir.
This means: I can reflect on ways that make a personal story compelling.
List of Assessments:
- Free Write: Students will analyze a personal story that intrigued them and reflect on the aspects that made
that story so memorable.

Planned Lesson Activities

Name and Purpose of Lesson Name: Introduction to Personal Memoirs

Purpose: Students will learn the structure and purpose of a personal

memoir. Students will reflect on a compelling story in which they
remember and collaboratively and individually reflect on what makes a
story compelling.

Approx. Time and Materials

Duration of Unit: 50 minutes

Materials: Computer to play commercial, sheet explaining parts of

personal memoir (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPKgC8KPBMg)

Anticipatory Set
I will play the commercial Lost Dog.

I will ask the students how this commercial made them feel.

What emotions does this story portray?

Why is this story important?

Why is telling any story important?

Procedures Teacher Actions Student Actions

1. 5 minutes- 1. 5 minutes-
Announcements Actively listen to
Question attendance: announcements.
 Whats your favorite
animal?
2. 7 minutes- anticipatory set
Play commercial
Ask questions relating to
the story portrayed in the
commercial
Pass our personal memoir
sheet
3. 10 minutes
Explain that personal
memoir writing is our next
unit
Explain how it contributes
to overarching concept
Explain how the story fits
into the commercial
Go over sheet with
students
Answer questions about
personal memoir writing
4. 10 minutes
Start a think, pair, share
in which students will
discuss with a partner a
story that they remember
and what made that story
so intriguing
Walk around the classroom
and listen to students
conversations
5. 13 minutes
Walk around the classroom
as students write about the
story they discussed with
Answer attendance
question
2. 7 minutes-
Students watch commercial
Answer questions about the
story within the commercial
Receive personal memoir
sheet
3. 10 minutes
Look over sheet on
personal memoir writing
Analyze the story displayed
in the commercial
(beginning, middle, and
end)
Ask questions about
personal memoir writing
4. 10 minutes
Think about one of your
favorite stories that
someone has told you
Discuss with a partner a
story in which you
remember and analyze the
aspects of that story that
made the story so
memorable
5. 13 minutes
Write about the story you
discussed with your partner
Write down why you think
 their partner, as well as this story is so memorable
why they feel that story is to you.
so compelling.
6. 5 minutes
6. 5 minutes Yell out the words you feel
Have students yell out make a story compelling
words that they feel make a Turn in free write
personal story intriguing Pack up to go to next class.
Write down these words
Have students turn in their
free write reflection

Closure
Assessment
How will you know if students met the
learning targets? Write a description of
what you were looking for in each
assessment.
Students will be asked to do a free write in which they analyze what
makes a story intriguing or compelling. After the free write, I will have
students yell out words that they have written on their paper that
incorporate the effectiveness of a story. These words could be:
funny, sad, wise. Tell students that for the rest of the week, we
will be analyzing personal memoirs, and we will decide if these words
truly make a story memorable.
I will be walking around the classroom during the think, pair, share in
order to get a grasp if students understand the story structure and the
ways that stories can be effective. I will also analyze students'
responses on their free write page.

Notes to Self - Maybe the commercial isnt the best way to first introduce the
story-concept
- Perhaps it would be better to play an actual example of a
personal story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzgzckawtuo
 Introduction to Personal Narratives

Narrative is a fancy word for story.

Personal means something that has to do with YOU

Personal Narratives= A story about yourself

Like a fictional story, personal narratives have a beginning, middle, and an end.

Introduction:

The Hook
o Catch the readers attention with this
o This statement should make them want to read more
Set the Scene
o Who are the characters the reader should know about?
o Where and when did this story take place?
Thesis Statement
o What is the moral of this story?
o Why is it important that you write this story?

Middle

Description of Time
o Tell your story in a chronological order
o This is a great time to incorporate transition words
Show, Dont Tell
o Make the reader feel like they were with you during this story
o Use great descriptive words
Evidence
o Support your thesis
o Provide evidence that makes the understand why this story is important

End

Reflect
o Why is this story meaningful to you?
Make a Circle
o Tie the ending back to the beginning
o Restate the moral of the story
o Leave the reader feeling satisfied with the ending