One dominant need that all adolescents have is to figure out a unique place in this world. I believe that no student can determine where he wants to go until they understand where they have been. This unit satisfies two main goals: creating a baseline for writing to advance a teacher's effort for implementing differentiated instruction and providing the students with a fun, creative way to introduce who they are and the accomplishments of which they are proud.

Students will:

1. be able to recall the names of all his/her fellow classmates.
2. begin building a nurturing learning community.
3. chronicle the main events from his/her life so far.
4. draft, revise, and publish an anecdote.

Lesson 1: Getting to Know You

Lesson 2: Creating a Life Map

Culminating Activity

Publishing a Personal Narrative
After chronicling major events in his/her life, each student will choose an episode to elaborate upon in a personal narrative. Students will complete the writing process making time for peer conferencing to encourage the inclusion of details in the writing piece.

Supporting Books

Teacher Resource Books for Starting the School Year