Thunder Rose: The Good, The Bad,

and the UglyMS. CHRISTINA SMITH

EDUC 6731

What is an assessment album? Like a picture album, the assessment photo album highlights great moments. It showcases the tests you will be taking from the upcoming unit. We will be reading Thunder Rose, which is about a young girl who saves her town from being destroyed by twin tornadoes. We will also discuss weather, weather tools, natural disasters, theme, figurative language, and learning about how government officials respond to natural disasters.

Common Core State Standards5th Grade ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS

R.L.5.2 - Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

L.5.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

5th Grade SCIENCE - EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE 4c Summarize how weather changes. 1. Weather changes from day to day and over the seasons. 2. Tools by which weather is observed, recorded, and predicted.

SOCIAL STUDIES 5. Assess and describe how governments and people prepare for natural disasters.

(DOK 2)

Enduring Understandings Themes are present in every piece of literature Themes can often be applies to every day life Figurative language comes in many forms Figurative language is used to enhance presentations, both written

and oral There are several types of natural disasters with distinct

characteristics Government officials help prepare citizens for natural disasters Changes in weather contribute to the formation of some natural

disasters There are a variety of weather tools; each tool serves a specific

purpose

Essential Questions

EnglishWhat are the advantages of using figurative language?What are the different types of figurative language?Why is being able to determine a story’s theme important?How are themes and main ideas similar? Different?

ScienceWhat weather changes can cause natural disasters?What are some of the most common weather tools?What are the functions of those weather tools?Which tools could be used to measure wind speed?

Social StudiesWhat are natural disasters?What are the names of characteristics of natural disasters?What types of natural disasters are prone to my area?Who is responsible to preparing citizens for natural disasters?Why is important to have a plan in place for natural disasters?

Diagnostic Assessments

Interest Inventory Survey – You will be given a questionnaire containing 15 items. This will be used to determine your students learning preferences, learning styles, what conditions you learn best in, your community knowledge, and your views on allowing your parent to help with one of our projcts!

Diagnostic Assessments

Barely Sometimes

Most Times

Almost Always

1. I read for enjoyment at home.

1 2 3 4

1. I learn better when I listen to the teach talk.

1 2 3 4

1. I learn better by watching the teacher demonstrate the lesson.

1 2 3 4

1. I prefer to work alone in the classroom.

1 2 3 4

1. I prefer to work in learning groups.

1 2 3 4

1. I talk to my parents or guardian every day about school.

1 2 3 4

1. My parent would agree to help me with a school project.

1 2 3 4

1. I often see or talk to community leaders around town.

1 2 3 4

1. I know where the city library is located, and can give others directions on how to get there.

1 2 3 4

1. I enjoy drawing. 1 2 3 4

Diagnostic Assessments1. I feel confident about

how well I’m learning in English/Language Arts

1 2 3 4

1. I understand that Reading will be found in all subjects?

1 2 3 4

1. I work best in total silence.

1 2 3 4

1. I don’t mind having some noise in the background when I study.

1 2 3 4

1. I work best with hands-on projects.

1 2 3 4

Diagnostic AssessmentsThe K-W-L will be used in the beginning to show what we know and want

to know about our unit. You will use it in the middle and end to record what you’ve learned about figurative language, theme, natural disasters,

weather tools, and government plan of actions.

Diagnostic AssessmentsYou will be taking a pretest that has 20 questions on it. You may not know all of the answers, but that’s okay! After we learn all about our unit, this test will seem like a piece of

cake!

Pretest 1. In your own words, explain what a literary theme is.

2. Which of the following choices is an example of a common theme? Jack and Jill went up the hill. Treat others the way you want to be treated. The author’s purpose is sometimes to inform. Include a clear beginning, middle, and end when you write.

Pretest 3. Read the following short story and determine the theme of the text.

The blaring alarm clock went off, and Derrick jumped out of his bed. Normally, Derrick would have turned off the alarm and gone back to sleep, but today was a special day. Derrick found his favorite old sneakers, searched for his "good luck" shirt, and packed the items in his overnight bag. Derrick was finally going fishing with his dad and older brother. Every year his dad and older brother went for a weekend fishing trip, but they always told him that he was too young. Now, one year later, he would be given the chance to show that he could fish with the big guys. Not only did he have his gear ready, he practiced the fishing techniques that he had learned in his fishing magazines. Since they didn't live near any water, he pretended his backyard was a lake filled with fish. He didn't need water to learn how to cast his rod. Even in his mind, he visualized how he would catch the biggest fish. In fact, in his dream last night, he snagged a big bass on his hook. Fighting to release itself from the deadly hook, the bass pulled their boat a few yards. What a dream! Now, he was determined to make his dream into reality, so he carefully picked up his fishing pole and gear. At 5:15 a.m. he was in the car and ready to go. There was only one problem. Where were his fellow fishing buddies? Slowly his fishing buddies dragged themselves to the car. How could they be asleep at such an exciting time like this? His big brother questioned, "Derrick, where are all your fishing magazines? You know it won't do you any good." "We will see who catches the most fish," Derrick confidently replied. Derrick knew in is heart that his dream would come true.

The theme of the passage is ____________. a. Never give up on your dreams. b. You should have a close relationship with your sibling. c. You need to learn about your hobby. d. It is important to start everyday early in the morning.  4. Cite evidence from the text, or use details from the story, to justify your answer to #3 5. _______ The summary of a text and the theme are the same thing. (True or False)

Pretest

6. Each of the following items is an example of figurative language except _______________. Simile Personification Argumentative Metaphor  7. In your opinion, why do some author’s choose to use figurative language in their writing?  8. Which of the following is an example of hyperbole? The sun was smiling all day after it rained. The cluttered, messy room looks like a tsunami hit it. I have watched this movie a million times. Peter Piper picked a patch of pickled peppers.  9. A _______________ is used to compare two unlike things using the words ________ or __________.   10. Create 4 different examples of figurative language using the following topic. The glass of water was freezing cold.

Pretest 11. A mudslide is an example of a natural disaster. (True or False) 12. Hurricanes and tornadoes have similar effects on the areas in which they strike. (True or False)13. Each of the following weather changes can cause a tornado, except ___________.

InstabilityWind shear Cold FrontsFreezing Fronts

14. Which of the following scales is used to measure tornadoes? Richter Fujita Mohr’s Perpendicular15. Which of the following scales is used to measure earthquakes? Richter Fujita Mohr’s Perpendicular

Pretest 16. Which of the following assists in preparing people for natural disasters? Architects Mayors Investigators News Producers 17. How do residents in our city prepare for natural disasters? 18. Write an informative paragraph explaining why natural disasters plans are beneficial. 19. Create a 6- step natural disaster plan for a level 1 hurricane. 20. Which of the following weather tools is used to measure wind speed? Wind gauge Anemometer Barometer Weather satellites

Formative AssessmentsYou will be able to use these techniques to quietly let me know

how well you understand each day.

Performance Task At the end of the lesson, you and

your group members will act as meteorologists. You will deliver a weather report, which discusses one particular natural disaster. You will include the type of disaster, its characteristics, weather changes that caused it, the type of weather tools used to gauge the disaster, several examples of figurative language to capture your audience, one theme about safety, and the particular government plan of action your audience should follow.

Performance Task (Details)

Goal: Identify and characteristics of natural disasters, figurative language, themes, weather tools, and government plans of action

Role: Meteorologists Audience: Classmates Situation: Reporting a live natural disaster Product: accurate weather report that includes,

characteristics of the disaster, names of specific weather tools, figurative language, safety themes, and an appropriate government plan to follow.

Performance Task Rubric1. Unsatisfactory 2 - Emerging 3 - Effective

Tangible Script Script is incomplete and has major flaws. It is not always clear what the group members are to say and do. Script shows an attempt at planning, but is incomplete. 

Script is mostly complete. It is clear what each member will say and do. The script depicts planning.

Script is complete and it is clear what each group member will say and do. Script is complete, and demonstrates proper planning with input from all members.

Duration of Weather Segment

The newscast was between 1.5 and 2 minutes. It was hurried and did not meet the 3 minute length requirement.

The newscast was between 2 minutes and 2 minutes 59 seconds long, but seemed hurried.

The newscast was 3 minutes long, and it was not hurried.

Research Group researched the subject and integrated 1-2 findings from their research into their newscast.

Group researched the subject and integrated 3-4 findings from their research into their newscast.

Group researched the subject and integrated 5 or more findings from their research into their newscast.

Use of Figurative Language and

Sensory Details

Used no examples of figurative language and sensory details in presentation. Does not demonstrate the use of vivid language.

Used 1-2 examples of figurative language and sensory details in presentation. Partially demonstrates the use of vivid language.

Used 4 or more examples of figurative language and sensory details in presentation. Fully demonstrates the use of vivid language.

Explanation of

Government Plans

The group failed to mention the appropriate plan of action to the audience.

The group vaguely described an appropriate plan of action.

The group described an appropriate plan of action in great detail.

Description of Weather Tools

The group failed to mention the weather tools that were used to gauge the weather conditions leading to the natural disaster.

The group mentioned a few weather tools that were used to gauge the weather conditions leading to the natural disaster.

The group mentioned and described all of the weather tools that were used to gauge the weather conditions leading to the natural disaster with accuracy, in great detail.

Description of Natural Disaster

Displayed

The student accurately identified the natural disaster and reported 1-2 of its characteristics.

The student accurately identified the natural disaster and reported 3-4 of its characteristics.

The student accurately identified the natural disasters and reported 5 or more of its characteristics.

Additional Figurative Language Assessments

Examine authentic writing samples from newspapers in order to determine whether informal or formal language is being used. After selecting the formal writing sample, you will edit and revise the sample in order to include vivid figurative language.

Additional Figurative Language Assessments

A Parent, guardian, or adult of your choice will help you create an informational pamphlet about the different types of figurative language, 3 examples of each, and graphics to accompany the

information within the brochure. CATEGORY 4 3 2 1 Content - Accuracy All facts about figurative

language in the brochure are accurate.

Nearly all of the facts about figurative language

in the brochure are accurate.

Some of the facts about figurative in the

brochure are accurate.

None of the facts about figurative language in the

brochure are accurate.

Attractiveness & Organization

The brochure has exceptionally attractive

formatting and well-organized information.

The brochure has attractive formatting and

well-organized information.

The brochure has well-organized information.

The brochure\'s formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader.

Writing - Organization Each section in the brochure has a clear

beginning, middle, and end.

Almost all sections of the brochure have a clear

beginning, middle and end.

Most sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and

end.

Less than half of the sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end.

Graphics/Pictures Graphics go well with the text and there is a good

mix of text and graphics.

Graphics go well with the text, but there are so many that they distract from the

text.

Graphics go well with the text, but there are

too few and the brochure seems \"text-heavy\".

Graphics do not go with the accompanying text or appear

to be randomly chosen.

Additional Theme Assessments

The story that our unit is based off of is entitled Thunder Rose. It’s about a young girl who saves her town from twin tornadoes. Using a skeleton outline, you will determine parts of the text: the spine is the theme and the limbs are the details such as how characters respond to challenges. Under the skeleton you will write a brief summary of the story.

Additional Theme Assessments This is a paper and pencil quiz regarding determining the

theme in literary text. You will be given 5, short Aesop’s Fables. You will determine the theme of each one after you read them. View the example below:

. Fable Theme(s) Events, details, and

Character Actions That Helped Me Determine the

ThemeThe Wolf in Sheep's Clothing  A Wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing to the vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs. But one day it found the skin of a sheep that had been flayed and thrown aside, so it put it on over its own pelt and strolled down among the sheep. The Lamb that belonged to the sheep, whose skin the Wolf was wearing, began to follow the Wolf in the Sheep's clothing; so, leading the Lamb a little apart, he soon made a meal off her, and for some time he succeeded in deceiving the sheep, and enjoying hearty meals.

   

Additional Weather Tools and Government Plans Assessments

Disaster Dilemmas: You will act as government officials and design a 6- step plan for a natural disaster of your choice.

Plan Persuasion: The class will assess one official government plan for natural disasters. Next, you all will form two groups to discuss whether the plan is sufficient as it is, or whether it should be revised.

NOW THAT WE’VE COVERED THE BASICS, LET’S DIVE IN!!!!