Writing Activity Plan

Mentor Text:

Osornio, C. L. (2010). The Declaration of Independence from A to Z. Gretna, LA: Pelican Pub.

Lexile Level: Unavailable ATOS Reading Level: 4.9

Summary: The Declaration of Independence from A to Z by Catherine Osornio is a picture book

that gives a chronological and alphabetical account of the events and people before, during, and
after the writing of the Declaration of Independence. This book explains the historical context
behind the major events that occurred between the years of 1773, when the Boston Tea Party
took place, and 1776, when the Continental Congress declared independence from Great Britain.
It also discusses important historical figures like Thomas Jefferson, the process of composing the
document, and its implications for the future.

Grade level: 8th

Writing TEKS:
110.20. English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 8, Beginning with School Year 2009-2010.

(18) Writing/Persuasive Texts. Students write persuasive texts to influence the attitudes or
actions of a specific audience on specific issues. Students are expected to write a persuasive
essay to the appropriate audience that:

(A) establishes a clear thesis or position;

Writing Activity Plan

(C) includes evidence that is logically organized to support the author's viewpoint and that
differentiates between fact and opinion.

Vertical Alignment:

Grades 26: Students write persuasive texts to influence the attitudes or actions of a specific
audience on specific issues.
Grades 78: Students write persuasive texts to influence the attitudes or actions of a specific
audience on specific issues. Students are expected to write persuasive essays to the appropriate
audience.
Courses Eng. III: Students write persuasive texts to influence the attitudes or actions of a
specific audience on specific issues. Students are expected to write an argumentative essay to the
appropriate audience.
Courses Eng. IIIIV: Students write persuasive texts to influence the attitudes or actions of a
specific audience on specific issues. Students are expected to write an argumentative essay (e.g.,
evaluative essays, proposals) to the appropriate audience.

Objective: The learner will compose a persuasive text in the form of a Declaration of
Independence.

Explanation:

Students will be put into collaborative groups of 4 to compose their own version of the
Declaration of Independence. Each student will turn in his or her own handwritten copy of the
groups Declaration. Students need to write this as a declarative letter with the goal of
persuading/convincing other colonists to unify as a new country independent from Great Britain.
Students must use at least five terms from the book the Declaration of Independence from A to Z
and underline the words in context, as evidence to support their claims. Appropriately colored
construction paper (tan, yellow, cream, etc.) will be provided for the appearance of authenticity.
Remind students that they need to write it as a letter expressing why they feel its the time to
sever ties with England. Students will be graded on the clarity of thesis, the logical organization
of their evidence, whether or not they differentiated between fact and opinion and how
persuasive they were.

This task addresses the TEKS and the objective because students will write a persuasive
text that lists the colonial grievances in their Declaration to both the King and the colonists. Their
essays need to have a clear thesis, be logically organized and persuasive, and include both facts
and opinions.