Thanksgiving: Family History

Grade Level: 9-11 grades

Subject/Content: English/Writing Family History

Summary of Lesson: Students read one author's account of her family's Thanksgiving and write their own

Focus Questions: Why is keeping a record of your family traditions important?

Resource(s): Student Resource Center-Gold

Procedures:

1. Instruct students to search "Feasting on Family" in Student Resource Center-Gold
2. Read the article by Jamie Odeneal with the students. Point out the author's style and specific choices she makes to recreate her family's Thanksgiving for the reader
3. Ask students to briefly share some of their thanksgiving traditions with the person sitting next to them
4. Have students brainstorm their family's Thanksgiving traditions
5. Instruct students to use their brainstorms to write their own "Feasting on Family" article

Steps/Activities by Student(s):

1. Search "Feasting on Family" in Student Resource Center-Gold
2. Read the article by Jamie Odeneal. Identify and discuss the author's style and specific choices she makes to recreate her family's Thanksgiving for the reader.
3. Share some of your Thanksgiving traditions with the person sitting next to you
4. Brainstorm your family's Thanksgiving traditions
5. Use your brainstorms to write your own "Feasting on Family" article

Outcome: Students will identify that their family has their own unique traditions and they will keep record of those traditions

Related Activities: Students share their writings with their families on Thanksgiving

Standard Date: Approved 1998

Content Standard(s):

• NL-ENG.K-12.1: Reading for Perspective
• NL-ENG.K-12.2: Understanding the Human Experience
• NL-ENG.K-12.3: Evaluation Strategies
• NL-ENG.K-12.4: Communication Skills
• NL-ENG.K-12.5: Communication Strategies
• NL-ENG.K-12.6: Applying Knowledge
• NL-ENG.K-12.11: Participating in Society
• NL-ENG.K-12.12: Applying Language Skills

Performance Indicators:

• At Level 1, the student is able to:
• Identify key style analysis terms and concepts
• At Level 2, the student is able to:
• Evaluate an author's style
• At Level 3, the student is able to:
• Emulate the author's style using their own personal knowledge and experience

Computer Literacy and Usage Standards 9-12:

• The student will demonstrate proficiency in the care and use of computer based technology
• The student will develop skills using a variety of computer resources to increase productivity, support creativity, conduct and evaluate research and improve communications

ISTE NETS for Students

• Creativity and Innovation
• Communication and Collaboration
• Research and Information Fluency
• Technology Operations and Concepts

Information Power; Information Literacy Standards 1-4:

• The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively
• The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently
• The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively
• The student who is an independent learner is information literate and appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information
• The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society
• The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information