Grade: 5 /6

Subject: Writing

Length of Lesson: 60+ minutes

Topic/Theme: Remembrance Day

Purpose:

Due to the closeness of Remembrance Day, the class will focus on stories and books which involve war such as The Diary of Anne Frank and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. The purpose of using this literature is to help the students gain an understanding of the setting in those harsh times. This lesson will focus on writing as though the student were living in those times surrounded by war and destruction.

Materials:

• Plain white paper
• Black construction paper
• Tea
• Lighter (under close supervision)

Background Knowledge:

The students will need to have small amount of prior knowledge about the harshness of war and exactly how lucky we are to live in a free country. We will cover literature on these topics in prior classes. Ie- Anne Frank, Number the Stars

Body of Lesson:

Each student will be given a piece of plain white paper. They will immerse the paper into a dish of tea until the paper begins to change color. The paper will then be placed on a "clothesline" in the classroom to dry. While the paper is drying, the class will work on a rough copy of their assignment.

The students will be assigned to write a letter as though they are in a situation of war. They can be a historical or fictional character, male or female, a leader or a prisoner of war. they will use their imagination to set the scene and the conditions of their war time lives.

After the paper has dried, the students will transfer their letters onto the stained paper. Next, very carefully, we will set fire to each letter (only to burn the edges of the paper.) this will be done over the sink to prevent sparks from falling. The purpose of the staining and burning of the letter is not to destroy the student’s work, but to make it look as though it has been through the war as well.

Closure of Lesson:

The letters will then be glued to black construction paper and displayed in the classroom. we will then have a writer’s gallery. The students will be able to walk around the classroom to read the letters. If time should allow, we will have a class discussion about the letters and how they make us feel.

Assessment:

The class will be evaluated by their finished letters. The main points that will be evaluated are the understanding of the topic and their ability to take on the role of a fictional character.

This assignment will not be assessed (for marks) but rather placed in a portfolio of individual or class work. it is for the students to gain a better understanding of themselves and their pasts.

*This lesson would be a small part on literature concerning war and peace. It could also be incorporated into a history or art lesson. It may also be broken apart into two smaller classes.