Author as Mentor: Lesson Plan Six:James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Author as Mentor Blog Lesson Six

Focus Trait: Idea Development

Support Trait: Word Choice

Grade Level: 7-9

Mentor Text: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Ohio Department of Education Academic Content Standards for Language Arts:

11-12 Program pg. 174: Writing: Writing Processes, A. Formulate writing ideas and identify a topic appropriate to the purpose and audience.
11-12 Program pg. 174: Writing: Writing Processes, B. Select and use an appropriate organizational structure to refine and develop ideas for writing.
11-12 Program pg. 174: Writing: Writing Processes, C. Use a variety of strategies to revise content, organization and style, and to improve word choice, sentence variety, clarity and consistency of writing.
11-12 Program pg. 174: Writing: Writing Processes, D. Apply editing strategies to eliminate slang and improve conventions.
11-12 Program pg. 174: Writing: Writing Applications, B, Write responses to literature that provide an interpretation, recognize ambiguities, nuances and complexities and that understand the author’s use of stylistic devices and effects created.
11-12 Program pg. 174: Writing: Writing Conventions, A. Use correct spelling conventions.
11-12 Program pg. 174: Writing: Writing Conventions, B. Use correct punctuation and capitalization.
11-12 Program pg. 174: Writing: Writing Conventions, C. Demonstrate understanding of the grammatical conventions of the English language.

Author Bio:

A writer of both children's fiction and short stories for adults, Roald Dahl is best known as the author of the 1964 children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (he also wrote the script for the 1971 movie version). Dahl has been described as a master of story construction with a remarkable ability to weave a tale.
Read more: Roald Dahl Biography - life, childhood, children, parents, story, school, mother, young, book http://www.notablebiographies.com/Co-Da/Dahl-Roald.html#ixzz1G8SDFQjF

Book Summary:

An orphan with terrible aunts for guardians, befriends human like bugs who live inside a giant peach, who take the boy on a journey to New York City.

You’re on a Gigantic Roll

(using quality details and strong verbs like Roald Dahl)

Teacher Instructions:

Step one (sharing the published model):

After reading the story of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, reread chapter 16 in the section of the book where the peach's journey begins - once it has been freed from its stem by the centipede’s sharp jaws. As you read, emphasize the sights and sounds used. Explain to the students that they will be writing the same type of description focusing on idea development and word choice.

Step two (introducing student models of writing):

Inform students they will be writing their own large-object-rolling-through-something paragraph today. To inspire their thinking about this process, have students read and discuss the following two student examples. The students will certainly talk about the idea development in each of the examples, because of the post-it note that has been embedded on each model. You might prompt your students to talk about each model's word choice as well.

Step three (thinking and pre-writing):

You can use the graphic organizer link below to help them come up with their own sounds and visuals to promote great idea development and word choice. First you can model it and then have them use it with the reading from James and the Giant Peach or other literature samples you may find. Then they will be familiar with it once they begin using it with their own writing. Gather a list of items that could be used (they must roll) and also a list of places or settings.

Step four (editing for conventions):

After students apply their revision ideas to their drafts and re-write neatly, require them to find an editor. With yellow high-lighters in hand, each peer reads for and highlights suspected errors for just one item from the Editing Post-it.

Student Instructions:

In Roald Dahl's novel James and the Giant Peach, the character James goes on a global adventure while taking a wild ride in and on a giant peach. Along the way, he makes friends and discovers strengths within himself.

Today you will be writing a descriptive paragraph of something rolling through/over a specific setting. We know you have some great ideas. Use the gathered lists of objects that roll and setting to come up with your story. Finally, use the graphic organizer to come up with the best sights and sounds you can imagine.

Author as Mentor