Lesson Topic: Transitions Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s

Journal
Grade level: 6th
Length of lesson: 4 weeks

Big Idea
Transition in middle school tends to destabilize many students. They often have a
difficult time making adjustments and finding their identities. The environment
often feels intimidating and demanding.
Stage 1 – Desired Results
Content Standard(s):
ELA6R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows
evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a
variety of literary texts.
For literary texts, the student identifies the characteristics of various
genres and
produces evidence of reading that:
a. Identifies and analyzes sensory details and figurative language.
b. Identifies and analyzes the author’s use of dialogue and description.
d. Applies knowledge of the concept that theme refers to the message
about life and the
world that the author wants us to understand whether implied or stated.
e. Identifies and analyzes the elements of setting, characterization, plot,
and the resolution
of the conflict of a story or play:
i. internal/external conflicts
ii. character conflicts, characters vs. nature, characters vs. society
iii. antagonist/protagonist.
f. Identifies the speaker and recognizes the difference between first- and
third-person
narration.

ELA6RC1 The student reads a minimum of 25 grade-level

appropriate books or
book equivalents (approximately 1,000,000 words) per year
from a variety of subject disciplines. The student reads both
informational and fictional texts in a
variety of genres and modes of discourse, including technical
texts related to various
subject areas.

ELA6RC2 The student participates in discussions related to

curricular learning in
all subject areas. The student
a. Identifies messages and themes from books in all subject areas.
e. Examines the author’s purpose in writing.
 ELA6LSV1 The student participates in student-to-teacher,
student-to-student,
and group verbal interactions. The student
a. Initiates new topics in addition to responding to adult-initiated topics.
b. Asks relevant questions.
c. Responds to questions with appropriate information.

ELA6LSV2 The student listens to and views various forms of text

and media
in order to gather and share information. The student will select
and critically analyze messages using rubrics as assessment
tools.

Understanding (s)/goals Essential Question(s):

Students will understand: • What skills and knowledge are
necessary for making successful
• Transitions will occur throughout grade transitions in middle school?
life.

Skills/Knowledge
Students will know:
1 Time management is important in being successful in middle school.
2 Other people experience the same issues and have the same feelings.

Students will be able to:

1 Positively adapt to changes
2 Make connections and discuss their feelings with others

Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence

Performance Task(s): TV Talk Show
In groups, students will write a script and
record a mock TV talk show. One person will
be the host and the others will play the roles of
Greg and his schoolmates. The host will ask
questions related to the trials of middle school
and advice that the characters would like to
offer student who are transitioning to middle
school.
Dialogue and Discussion:
The task is an adaptation of an activity from
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/childrens-
book/diaries/28677.html.
Other Evidence:
Informal Observations:
• Observe students reading in small
groups
• Observe student-group interactions
while writing and recording the
show.
• Student-teacher and student-student
dialogue during conference and
group planning sessions
 Constructed Responses:
Students will maintain a blog on
http://www.transitionsjournal.Tumblr.com.
The students will make an initial post and
two responses to others on two topics.
Self-Assessments:
• Self-evaluation by students based
on blog and Talk Show rubrics
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Learning Activities:

Week 1:

• The teacher will conduct a booktalk on The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s
Journal. The students will be asked to write one thing that frightens or intimidates
them about middle school. The teacher will collect the lists. The teacher will
introduce the novel, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The teacher will discuss the
following terms: transitions, connections, conflict (internal and external) and
begin reading the book to the students.
• Students will be required to read Days 30-90 of the novel.
• First blog post due (Reflect on a time that you experienced any type of conflict.
How did you deal with it? What could you have done differently?)

Week 2:

• Students will be required to read Days 91-150 of the novel.

• Second blog post due (If I was Greg, I would have…-Recall one situation from
the book that you would have handled differently if you were Greg.)
• The counselor will address some of the students’ fears provided during week one.

Week 3:
• Students will be required to read days 150-220 of the novel.
• Students will begin writing their scripts.
• The teacher will address any concerns regarding scripting and casting.

Week 4:
• Students will make final revisions to the script.
• Students will record their talk shows using FLIP cameras.
• The teacher will assist students in editing and uploading videos to a PBworks
page.
• The teacher and students will enjoy popcorn and view each group’s finished
product.