Backwards Planning with CCSS: What is the final

outcome?
In the development of this novel study, I first considered the final learning product and
outcome. What objectives do I want students to demonstrate? What final product will
allow them to demonstrate these objectives at differentiated levels, and with ample
room for student choice? How will I structure the novel study to attain these outcomes
and provide students with opportunity to practice the skills?

What objectives do I want students to demonstrate?

Reading: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well
as inferences drawn from the text.
Reading: Describe how a particular storys or dramas plot unfolds in a series of episodes
as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
Writing: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and
style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Writing: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas,
concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant
content.
Writing: Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or
other information and examples.

Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain
the topic.
Establish and maintain a formal style.

What final product will allow them to demonstrate these objectives

at differentiated levels, and with ample room for student choice?
Students have the option to choose which events/details to include to support their
ideas, and how much to elaborate. The inclusion of visuals provides student choice, and
an opportunity to visualize their ideas before writing about them, which was effective for
my students who struggle with generating ideas for writing.

How will I structure the novel study to attain these outcomes and
provide students with opportunity to practice the skills?
Connecting analysis and visual symbols/icons to our study throughout was key to
developing the skills and understanding for the final project. We used three-
column notes to show main ideas-analysis-symbol/icon in each chapter.
Providing focused opportunities for students to recognize the impact of setting on
the character (Setting postcards).
Use character analysis to discuss the development of the main character and how
he responds to his circumstances. (Character portraits)
Study plot development and chart using a plot diagram.
 Teach and practice summary skills to develop writing and use of writing process.

Illustrated Book Report: Brians Winter

NAME:_______________________
Objective: to demonstrate your comprehension of the novel, using both writing and art to
show how the main character develops during the story, the impact/effect of the setting,
how the plot is developed through a series of events, and how the events of the story
reach a resolution at the end of the book.

Written Component: Using your notes and chapter summaries, you

will write an overview of the entire story. (Think of it as a whole-
book summary.) Your writing should follow these guidelines:
Paragraph Number:
I. Introduction: Needs to include the title of the book and the name of the author.
Briefly discuss the big ideas and themes of the book.
II. Setting: where and when does the story take place? How has the main character
adapted to the setting? What do you know, or what has the character learned
about the setting? How does the setting impact the character and the events of
the plot?
III. Character: this paragraph should give a thorough description of Brian: what is he
like, what are his attitudes, what are his thoughts, skills, etc. While this paragraph
should focus on the main character, you can mention other characters that play a
part in important events of the plot.
IV. Plot: what are the main events of the plot, and how do these events help to move
the story forward? This paragraph should discuss what the main character is
attempting to do, and how the events of the plot affect his attempts: to discover,
to overcome, to understand, to solve, to learn, to adapt, etc.
V. Plot Resolution: How are the problems of the plot resolved in the story? What is
the sequence of events that leads to Brians rescue? What are the final attitudes
of the main character?
VI. Conclusion: Your evaluation of the book as a literary work, and your own review of
the novel. What makes the book interesting to readers in general? What did you
personally enjoy about the story?

Visual Component: for each section of your writing, you will create
an original illustration.
Directions:
1. After you have outlined your written component, select four scenes, quotes, or
ideas of your own, to illustrate the following (Full page illustrations):
a) Setting
b) Main Character
 c) Plot
d) Plot Resolution
2. You will need to include a quote, caption, or description for each of your
illustrations. This should appear in smaller print, on or near the actual drawing.
3. Your final task will be to create a cover page for your report. You can use themes
from the book, or any ideas of your own. Everything should be original work. (No
computer graphics, please.)

Project Timeline, Due Dates, and Grading Rubric:

Project begins: Jan. 9th (Mon.-Tue.=3 hours in class work time)
Rough Draft due: Th. Jan. 12th
Writing Workshop in-class: Thursday Jan. 12th
Visuals/Art: begins Tue. Jan. 17th (Tue.-Wed.=3 hours in class work time)
Final Project due: Monday, Jan 23rd

Grading Rubric:
Content: 20 points
Includes all components:
_ Cover page including your full name, title of your report, and the final due date. (2
points)
_ Outline (2 points)
_ Rough Draft including an introduction and conclusion, with evidence of revision and
editing throughout. (5 points)
_ Final Draft (6 points)
_ Meaningful information and original writing. (Plagiarism is defined as copying
anothers work and is not permitted in academic writing. All direct quotes, or
information copied verbatim (exactly), must be cited in the paper, and listed as a
source in a bibliography. Please see me for clarification if you are using any
directly copied information.) (1 point)
_ On time for due dates, and participation in writing workshops. (4 points)
Conventions: 10 points
_ Correct grammar, easily read and understood. (2 points)
_ Spelling is accurate. (2 points)
_ Penmanship is neat and legible, or paper is accurately typed with correct spacing:
1 space after a comma, 2 spaces after a period, exclamation, or question mark. (2
points)
 _ Paragraphs are indented. (2 points)
_ Punctuation is used correctly. (2 points)

Visuals and Creativity: 20 points

_ Cover page is interesting and engaging. (2 points)
_ Illustrations included support the writing. (2 points)
_ Art pieces are full sized, detailed, colorful, and show evidence of effort. (You do not
need to be an artist you just need to put forth your best effort.) (16 points total.
4 illustrations x 4 points each.)

Final Student Reports: each student chose their favorite illustration for display.