• To choose a topic that is meaningful.
• To express their innermost thoughts and feelings in their writing.
• To share their experiences with other students.
• To have their writing published.

Assessment of Possible Projects and Class Interest:

Class motivation:

• Discuss what iearn is and what is involved.
• Make students aware of the Lewin Project.
• Share pieces of writing from the Lewin Project.
• Students discuss writing and their feelings toward each piece.
• Discuss how their work can be published.

Background Knowledge:

Writers Workshop:

• Students observe and write about the world around them.
• Students write meaningful entries which will become pieces of writing.
• Students are familiar with different writing strategies.
• Students have learned about and utilized memorable language, voice, mood, and point of view in their writing.

Database of resources (books, Internet sites, videos, resources, student input):

• Around the World in Eighty Poems selected by James Berry, Owl Moon by Jane Yolen,
• My Mama Had a Dancing Heart by Libba Moore Gray, A WriterÃs Notebook by Ralph
• Fletcher, Little by Little, by Jean Little, The Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume,
• Through GrandpaÃs Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan, Night in the Country by Cynthia Rylant,
• The Storm Book by Charlotte Zolotow.

Specific pre-instruction and preparation:

• Read several books and discuss voice and strong feelings.
• Choose a topic that is important to you, one that you feel strongly about and know about.
• Use words from your natural speaking vocabulary in your writing.

Essential questions to investigate:

• How do you know the writer cares about the topic?
• Is the writing consistent?
• Are there any contradictions?
• Does each statement make sense in light of all the others?
• Is the writer being honest?
• Does the writing sound real?
• Do you get a strong sense of who the writer is?

Timetable of Lessons:
Oct. 14 - 9:40 - 10:25 AM
            Lesson: A Writers Notebook by Ralph Fletcher Brainstorm how to choose ideas to write about.
Oct. 16 10:25 11:10 AM
            Lesson: Students make their own list of ideas. Students choose a few ideas from their list.
Oct. 21 9:40 10:25 AM
            Lesson: Around the World in Eighty Poems selected by James Berry Read aloud various poems. Discuss the elements of poems.
Oct. 22 9:40 10:25 AM
            Lesson: Students decide on topic. Introduce the Craft Element: Voice
Oct. 23 10:25 11:10 AM
            Lesson: Read Night in the Country by Cynthia Rylant Focus questions: Does the piece sound like a person wrote it? Do you think the piece has voice? Which phrases connect you to the author?
Oct. 27 1:10 1:55 PM
            Lesson: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen Discuss what memorable language is and how Jane Yolen uses language in her writing. Focus on specific ways students can use memorable language in their writing. Students start working on first draft.
Oct. 30 10:25 11:10 AM
           Lesson: Read sample phrases that create voice and other samples that help create an honest voice to describe a feeling. Students decide which writing has the most voice.
Nov. 6 9:40 10:25 AM
            Lesson: Student continue to work on their drafts: revising, editing.
Nov. 12 8:55 9:40 AM
            Lesson: Students work with partners to share their writing. Ask questions: Can you hear me in this piece of writing? Does my piece sound personal?
Nov. 18 1:55 2:40 PM
            Lesson: Students share their writing with the entire class. Students react to each others writing.

How will you present this project to your students?

• Allow students to participate in an open discussion about varied topics that are personally meaningful.
• Share pieces of writing from the Lewin Project.
• Students discuss writing and their feelings toward each piece.

How will you introduce iEARN?

• Tell students that iEARN is an organization made up of over 15,000 schools in more than 100 countries that encourages teachers children in grades K-12 to work together online through a global telecommunications network. iEARN engages students in meaningful educational projects with peers throughout the world. Teachers and students enter online forums to meet and chat with other participants and get involved in projects.
• Show students a video clip from iEARN's Canada website. As a class, discuss video clip.

How will you tie it into curriculum standards?

• Currently use WriterÃs Workshop.
• Read alouds read on a daily basis.

How will you get them interested in the topic?

• Read Around the World in Eighty Poems. As a class, discuss certain poems.
• Talk about how some poems are lighthearted while others are serious.
• Discuss how we can learn about the author by his/her writing.
• Share pieces of writing from the Lewin Project.
• Students discuss writing and their feelings toward each piece.

What background knowledge do your students bring to the project?

• Students bring knowledge of Writers Workshop.
• Have learned about using visual details, and strong verbs in their writing.

Do your students need to learn some basic skills before starting the project?

• Students have learned about different writing techniques.

Will your students need to do research for their project?

• No, students do not need to do research for this project.

How will they be organized to gather information and produce their work?

• We will brainstorm as a class.
• Students will work independently to gather their own ideas.
• Students will produce their work.
• Students will work with their partner in editing their work.

How will your students draw their project to a conclusion?

• Students will share their writing.
• Students will review and comment on each piece of writing.
• Students will share their writing in the Lewin Project.
• Students will read and respond to previously published writing.

What assessment tools will be used?

• Assessment of writing using a Creative Writing Rubric will be made by students.
• Students will comment and review each otherÃs work.

What publications or exhibitions will be created?

• A Class Anthology will be published.
• The Lewin publication.

What web site will created?

• The Class Anthology will become part of our class website.
• Students work will appear on the Lewin website.

Students speaking to other students:

• Other students will read and review writing.
• Students from other participating countries will read and review students work.
• Reviews will be published.