Tag Archives: Writing

2023 Vol 3: All Roads of Through Run Through Oz

Overcoming Challenges: A Collaborative Project Exploring Climate Migration 

Lynne Wiesecke, Learning and Language Acquisition, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

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 Synopsis: Across the globe immigration is a reality for many students. The movement of families worldwide has uniquely affected all of us and how we teach. Many students have directly overcome difficult migration journeys and others have close family members who have overcome such experiences. A variety of complex push factors have led families to take dangerous and long journeys through the unknown, in a way not dissimilar to the journey of Dorothy and her friends in L. Frank Baum’s book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz1 The characters in this book, like families seeking a better future, have many distinctive characteristics. This curriculum unit helps students understand and embrace positive character habits. Students learn how these strategies and behaviors can help them overcome future challenges. 

This unit begins with an amplified version of, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz for Multilingual Learners, by Lynne Wiesecke. This picture based digital graphic novel allows novice English speakers to gain a basic grasp of this classic story. A shared reading experience is followed by writing and speaking activities that prompt students to discuss and define distinctive personal characteristics. Students use Book Creator® to create their own personal e-book titled, My Journey to Oz. Students are encouraged to explore, illustrate and write about their own family’s migration and how challenges were overcome. Validation of each student’s unique history boosts self-esteem, creativity, pride and provides a sense of welcome and inclusion. 

2020 Curriculum Units Vol 7: Mindfulness & Education: Transforming Learning Through Awareness

Meditation, Station, Celebration

Jacquelyn Fizet, Kindergarten, Highland Renaissance Academy

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2020 Curriculum Units Vol 3: Narratives of Muslim Life in America

“But I’m Not…” Combating Stereotypes in the ESL Classroom

Rebecca Lintz, English, East Mecklenburg High

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2020 Curriculum Units Vol 3: Narratives of Muslim Life in America

An Exploration of Self, a Look into Muslim American Stories

Melissa Pratt, English, North Mecklenburg High

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2020 Curriculum Units Vol 1: African American Poetry and the Idea of Citizenship

This is Me

Rhonda Doe, Kindergarten, Barringer Academic Center

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2019 Curriculum Units Vol 7: Writing in Mathematics

Using Shapes as a Tool to Develop Kindergarten Writing Skills

Pilar Cuervo Cerezo, Kindergarten, Charlotte East Language Academy

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2019 Curriculum Units Vol 7: Writing in Mathematics

Computer Science Students CAN write: A year-long writing project

Melody Lam, Computer Science, W.A. Hough High

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2019 Curriculum Units Vol 7: Writing in Mathematics

The Write Time in Math

Karyn Hays, 3rd Grade, Davidson Elementary

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2019 Curriculum Units Vol 7: Writing in Mathematics

Chemical Stoichiometry: from Memorization to Rationale

Josh Trujillo, Chemistry, W.A. Hough High

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2019 Curriculum Units Vol 7: Writing in Mathematics

Writing in the Real World

Emily Burrell, Math, Piedmont Open IB Middle

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2019 Curriculum Units Vol 3: Childhood and the City Space in Literature

It’s Not Just Black and White, a Literacy Celebration

Jacci Fizet, Kindergarten, Renaissance West STEAM Academy

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2018 Curriculum Units Vol 4: Writing about Our Lives

La niñez: A Digital Story About my Childhood

By Christy Calloway, Spanish, North Mecklenburg High School

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2018 Curriculum Units Vol 4: Writing about Our Lives

Memoir Writing with a Growth Mindset

Mindy Passe, Fifth Grade, Barringer Academic Center

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2018 Curriculum Units Vol 4: Writing about Our Lives

Bypassing and Negating the ‘Single Story’ to Create True Community Through Memoir

Muriel (Meg) Shuman, Fifth Grade, Barringer Academic Center

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2018 Curriculum Units Vol 4: Writing about Our Lives

The Five Love Languages of Memoirs

Meagan Boozer, Third Grade, River Gate Elementary

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