Literary Essay Unit: Grade 4: Unit Length 5 Weeks

Week 3: Writing Independently

Text:​ A Peacock Among Pigeons by Tyler Curry

IN Standards:

- 4.RL.2.1 Build comprehension and appreciation of literature by identifying, describing,

and making inferences about literary elements and themes.
- 4.W.4 Apply the writing process to generate a draft, revise to improve writing, edit
writing for format and conventions.
- 4.SL.1 Develop and apply effective communication skills through speaking and active
listening.

Goal for lesson:​ Students will collaborate with their partner in order to peer edit their literary
essay. Students will also have time to conference with the teacher.

Background:​ Students have previously had practice writing literary essays. As a class we have
written one. They then wrote one with their table group. Additionally they have had two days
previously to write their own literary essay. It is this that they will be working together to edit.

Connections to ILEARN Writing:​ Find evidence to support an answer using the given text.
Use an editing checklist.

Materials Needed:

- Student writing notebooks and colored pencil

- Screen Projector

Lesson:

- Instruct students that they will be working together to peer edit their literary essays.
- Use myself and Mrs. Perdue as an example. Mrs. Perdue would read me her essay out
loud. I then have to comment 2 things she did well. I have to answer two questions: Is the
 big idea evident? Did they support their big idea with details? Then I give Mrs. Perdue
one area she could improve.
- Switch partners. I would then read my essay out loud and Mrs. Perdue would do the same
steps.
- Then instruct partners to find either myself or Mrs. Perdue. They will spend a few
minutes conferencing with us.
- After conferencing they can continue to work on the fixes for their essay.
- If both teachers are full, students can start to work on their fixes for the essay until one of
us opens up.
- Show the partners on the screen. Instruct students to find a place in the classroom to
work.
- Project the steps they will be taking on the screen the whole time.