Lesson

6

Topic: Make Your Own Tall Tale Character


Direct Lesson

Duration: 1 Hour

Materials:

ELMO
Whiteboard/Erasable Markers
Modern Day Tall Tale Character Stories graphic organizer for each student

Standards/Benchmarks:

W.GN.05.01 write a cohesive narrative piece such as a mystery, tall tale, or
historical fiction using time period and setting to enhance the plot;
demonstrating roles and functions of heroes, anti-heroes, and narrator; and
depicting conflicts and resolutions.
W.PR.05.02 apply a variety of pre-writing strategies for both narrative and
informational writing (e.g., graphic organizers such as maps, webs, Venn
diagrams) in order to generate, sequence, and structure ideas (e.g., role and
relationships of characters, settings, ideas, relationship of theory/evidence, or
compare/contrast).

Objectives:

Students will be able to state exaggerations of physical and personality traits of
larger-than-life characters.
Students will be able to identify parts of their own tall tale based on what they
know about tall tale story elements.

Purpose:




The purpose of this lesson if for students to brainstorm and organize their thoughts
We will review important parts and elements of a tall tale and then students will fill out the
Modern Day Tall Tale Character Stories graphic organizer to make writing easier the
following day. The next day, students will begin writing their rough draft of a modern day
tall tale.


Anticipatory Set:


I will begin this lesson by reading students the story Paul Bunyan by Stephen
Kellogg. As a whole group, we will discuss the story and the story elements we see. We will
also take a deeper look at the character of Paul Bunyan and the traits that he possesses.

Input:


I will project Paul Bunyan on the board using the ELMO so that students can follow
along and see the corresponding pictures. I will read the book out loud. I will also display
the graphic organizer on the board when I review the directions. Students will use a pencil
to fill in the graphic organizer independently.

Modeling:


I will then tell the students that over the next week, we will be writing our own tall
tale story. I will explain to them that they will first need to identify who your larger than life
tall tale character will be. I will give them examples that will include a firefighter, teacher,
astronaut, etc. Students will also share some ideas, which I will write on the board. Next, I
will show them the Modern Day Tall Tale Character Stories graphic organizer. Through this
we will discuss the elements that must be in their story and I will show them how to fill in
each section in the graphic organizer.

Checking for Understanding:


To check for understanding, I will ask students to raise their hand if they have any
questions. Once they begin working, I will continually monitor them to make sure they are
filling out the graphic organizer correctly.

Guided Practice:



As students are working independently, I will walk around the room and help
students as needed. This will include helping the students brainstorm ideas for their tall tale
story. Also, I will help them with the format of writing exaggerations and similes so that
they can include those in their story, as well.

Independent Practice:


Students will complete the Modern Day Tall Tale Character Stories graphic organizer
independently. They will decide who their character will be and personality or physical
traits that may be exaggerated. They will also decide independently, with help if needed, the
series of events that will take place in their story. Last, they will brainstorm a few similes
and metaphors that will be used in the story.

Closure:


Ask students if using a graphic organizer was helpful today and have them explain
why. Discuss reasons why using a graphic organizer is helpful. Tell students that tomorrow,
they will finish filling in their graphic organizer. Then once they complete these, they will
begin their writing.

Assessment:



I will assess students understanding of tall tale story elements by reviewing their
completed Modern Day Tall Tale Character Stories graphic organizer. Through this I will be
able to tell that students understand what elements are used in a tall tale and that they can
compose their own exaggerations.

Adaptation/Diversification for Students:


All students should complete this, but adaptations may be done as necessary. The
graphic organizer is somewhat complex; therefore, an additional organizer has been
attached. If a student is unable to write they may draw a picture of their character and
dictate what they want to say. They may also write less, such as only write 2 exaggerations
instead of 3 5.