ransom notes: lesson and assignment · - traditional ransom notes are disguised so the victim...
TRANSCRIPT
Ransom Notes: Lesson and Assignment Grade 6 English Language Arts Mystery Unit
Emma Gordon
Part I – Lesson
Part II – The Case of the Cookie Monster Story and Worksheet
Part III – Power Point Slides
a. Cookie Monster’s Ransom Note from the Story b. Examples of Other Ransom Notes
Part IV – Assignment Hand-out
Part V - Checklists for Assessment
Part VI – Pictures of the Final Product
Lesson - Ransom Notes
Objectives:
- Students will individually read and comprehend a mystery - Students will learn about ransom notes - Students will create their own ransom notes
Outcomes:
- 2.3.1 Recognize key characteristics of various forms and genres of oral, literary, and media texts
Assessment
- Formative: Ask the students to hand in their completed comprehension sheet on The Case of the Cookie Monster, and assess it for comprehension.
- Formative: Did students silently read when they were finished early? - Formative: Did students begin to create their ransom notes? - Summative: The completed ransom notes will be graded according to a checklist
Materials:
- The Case of the Cookie Monster from Mini Mysteries and resulting “Were You Listening?” questions on the story
- Old magazines and newspapers, scissors, and glue - Ransom note examples and assessment sheet
Activate:
- In this lesson, the students will be reading a short mystery story on their own - Pass out The Case of the Cookie Monster, and have students read their story at their own pace - When they have thoroughly read the story, have them complete the backside (try NOT to look
back at the story for the answers – rely on your memory!) - If students are finished early, they can read their own mystery novel until most of the class is
done
Acquire:
- Show the power point slide of the Cookie Monster's "ransom" note - What is this called? Why is it used? Facilitate a discussion and help out where needed. It's
usually someone asking for money or some type of valuable in exchange for something they have taken.
- Traditional ransom notes are disguised so the victim doesn't know who the ransom note came from – for example, changing your handwriting, or using letters from a newspaper.
Apply:
- Go through the handout and rubric on the power point: We're going to create our own ransom notes. First, write down a rough copy on a piece of scrap paper and get Mrs. F or myself to look at it.
- Try and make it fairly short to save time cutting and gluing it down - Use a variety of fonts, sizes, and colours if possible. - Pass out the assignment sheet, and allow the students to start working on their ransom notes.
Power Point Slides
Rough draft of your ransom note assignment:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Checked by Miss G or Mrs. F
Ransom Note Checklist
Yes
In progress No
Did you have your rough draft checked over by Miss Gordon or Mrs. Franklin Cheung?
Does your ransom note make sense?
Does your ransom note use a variety of fonts, text sizes, and colours?
Did you put time and effort into your ransom note?
Name: _____________________
Ransom Note Checklist
Yes
In progress No
Did you have your rough draft checked over by a teacher?
Does your ransom note make sense?
Does your ransom note use a variety of fonts, text sizes, and colours?
Did you put time and effort into your ransom note?
Name: _____________________
Ransom Note Checklist
Yes
In progress No
Did you have your rough draft checked over by a teacher?
Does your ransom note make sense?
Does your ransom note use a variety of fonts, text sizes, and colours?
Did you put time and effort into your ransom note?
Name: _____________________
Ransom Note Checklist
Yes
In progress No
Did you have your rough draft checked over by a teacher?
Does your ransom note make sense?
Does your ransom note use a variety of fonts, text sizes, and colours?
Did you put time and effort into your ransom note?
Examples of Finished Ransom Notes
Average example:
“Bring $5.00 to the park at 12:00 if you want to see the Mona Lisa”
Excellent example:
“If you ever want to see your kids again don’t speak of this. Come alone and leave $1000 and 3 boxes of chocolates by the park first hydrant by 11:00 sharp.”
Final Bulletin Board Display