Objectives:
DPI Standard Course of Study http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/curriculum
Technology Competency Goal 2
English Competency Goals 1, 5, 6

Focus and Review:
Explain to students that while they will be learning about grammar, literature, and writing, they will more importantly be learning about themselves.  I think it is imperative that students know up front where the class is going.  So many students ask, "What is the point?  How  is what I am learning important to my future."  I think students need to understand that we read and tell stories because we are human beings.  We learn about humanity, human nature, and ourselves from the literature we read, the stories we hear and tell, and the narratives we create in writing.  Therefore, students will immediately begin by learning the theme of the semester and the writing portfolio requirements.  It will be explained to students that they will work this semester not to write for me for a grade, but they will write for themselves with me as their cheerleader and guide.  Every piece of writing they create will serve a purpose, and will center around the theme of self discovery and discovering their family heritage.  (Although lessons for every writing assignment and class period are not included in this unit plan, I think it is clear the direction and the purpose for our class this semester.)

Teacher Input:
Two assignments for the student writing portfolio are completed on the first day of school.  These two assignments serve two purposes.  The first purpose is to focus students on what their goals, dreams and aspirations are, and to celebrate who they are at this point in their development.  The second purpose is to create a positive classroom climate.  Students should feel important from the first day of class, and they should feel as if they have a stake in our classroom.  These two assignments help to fulfill these two purposes.

• Students will write a rough draft of a mission statement.  As an introduction to writing their mission statement, I will read an essay entitled "The Mirror," which is included in the first Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul.  This essay is about a student who asks his professor, "What is the meaning of life?"  The professor explains that life is taking the opportunity to reflect light into the dark places of this world and into the lives of others.  After I read this essay, I ask students the question "Why are you here?"  I always get the typical response, "Because my mom says I have to be here," or "What are you talking about?  Why am I here in this room, or what?"  I then ask students to think about the both the big picture and the smaller picture.  Why are you here on Earth?  What is your purpose in life?  What do you think your purpose is right now?  Why are you in Hayesville?  Why are you attending school...etc.  Students begin thinking.  Then I direct them to the Stephen Covey section in their daily planners about the 7 habits of highly effective teens.  In this section students have listed for them a series of questions to think about when writing their mission statements, such as "What are your dreams, goals, aspirations...?"  Then students begin to write.
• Students will listen to Margaret Wise Brown's The Important Book.  This is a little book that WCU's Mary Warner shares with her classes. I read this book to students.  It is very simple, and each page has a very simple little poem about something seemingly non significant.  However, the poems all begin and end with the line, "The important thing about a _________ is that it is _________."  The reader begins to see the miracle and importance of average, everyday things such as a daisy, an apple, snow, etc.  After I finish reading, I instruct students to write an important poem about themselves.  They must follow the same format as the book.  It is amazing what wonderful poetry comes out of this simple assignment.  Students always surprise themselves, and it is a very positive focus on the first day of school.

Independent Practice:
Students will be required to word process both their mission statements and their important poems.  They must put a picture of themselves with their poem and mission statement.  The important poems hang around our classroom and their mission statements go in the hall.  This assignment is a wonderful way for students to take ownership of the classroom from day one.  Students not only get practice at writing and editing, but also at word-processing.  Students are encouraged to use clip art, graphics, artistic fonts, and to scan photographs or use digital photographs when possible.

Closure:
Students will be reminded that both their mission statement and their important poem reflect who they are and where they have come from.  Both assignments must be part of their finished portfolio, so they will be reminded the importance of saving their work on the computer and printing a hard copy for their portfolio.