The Road to Success
An Example of a Student-Created Life Map
One dominant need that all adolescents have is to figure out a unique place in this world. I believe that no student can determine where he wants to go until they understand where they have been. This unit satisfies two main goals: creating a baseline for writing to advance a teacher's effort for implementing differentiated instruction and providing the students with a fun, creative way to introduce who they are and the accomplishments of which they are proud.
OBJECTIVE
Students will:
- be able to recall the names of all his/her fellow classmates.
- begin building a nurturing learning community.
- chronicle the main events from his/her life so far.
- draft, revise, and publish an anecdote.
LESSONS FOR THIS UNIT
Lesson 1: Getting to Know You
Lesson 2: Creating a Life Map
REPRODUCIBLES
Interest Inventory (PDF)
Letter to Parents (PDF)
Rubric for Life Map (PDF)
CULMINATING ACTIVITY
Publishing a Personal Narrative
After chronicling major events in his/her life, each student will choose an episode to elaborate upon in a personal narrative. Students will complete the writing process making time for peer conferencing to encourage the inclusion of details in the writing piece.
SUPPORTING BOOKS
Teacher Resource Books for Starting the School Year
- Teacher Store
-
Arthur's Tooth
The Teacher Store 
Arthur's Tooth
Everyone in Arthur's class has lost a tooth except Arthur. When he finally has a loose tooth, he tries everything to get it out, but it won't budge. Will Arthur have to go through life with a mouthful of baby teeth?
$9.95
Based on the book series by Marc Brown.
VHS | Grades Pre-K-2
Grades Pre-K-2 $9.95
- Teacher Store
-
Lizzie at Last
The Teacher Store 
Lizzie at Last
Lizzie, who has always been considered a nerd by the other kids, begins the seventh grade determined to change her image so that she can blend in better with the popular crowd.
$4.95
Paperback Book | Grades 6-9
Grades 6-9 $4.95
ARTICLE
LESSON PLAN
