Lesson 1

Plotting your mystery

In this lesson, students are introduced to the features of mysteries and discuss character traits of typical mystery characters. To help plan their program, students will complete a plot map from a story starter. They will examine the importance of sequencing in storytelling and take their completed plot map to start planning their program. By the end of the lesson, students will have started their screenplay that will be used throughout the unit to inform the design of their program.

school
Grade 5
local_library
Subject Language Arts
schedule
Length of lesson 50 minutes

Learning objective

Students will plan a program.

Standards

CSTA Standards

  • 1B-AP-11: Decompose (break down) problems into smaller, manageable subproblems to facilitate the program development process.
  • 1B-AP-16: Take on varying roles, with teacher guidance, when collaborating with peers during the design, implementation, and review stages of program development

Common Core Standards

  • CCSS.ELA.W.5.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
  • CCSS.ELA.W.5.3.a: Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.
  • CCSS.ELA.W.5.3.b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.
  • CCSS.ELA.W.5.5: With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 5 here.)