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  • 1 | P a g e

    Cursive Writing

    Grade 6

  • 2 | P a g e

    Course Description

    In grade 6, Cursive Writing will continue to be nurtured for our students throughout the district. Cursive Writing has been

    shown to be instrumental in developing motor skills, reinforcing learning, working with legal documents, and assisting students

    with dyslexia. Throughout the year students will learn the Zaner-Bloser Method of “Cursive Simple”. Cursive Simple is

    characterized by using slanted writing and continuous strokes. This type of cursive writing derived from Spencerian Script. This

    course will provide students instruction in cursive writing and its application when analyzing text.

  • 3 | P a g e

    Pacing Chart

    Unit 1

    Getting Started: Pretest

    Writing Positions and Basic Strokes

    Cursive Letters and Numerals

    Review of Cursive Writing with Grip and Posture

    (Upper Case Letters/Lower Case Letters from A-M)

    Zaner-Bloser Unit 1 (Pages1-7)

    9 Weeks

    Unit 2

    Writing Lowercase Cursive Letters

    Undercurve, Downcurve, and Overcurve Letters

    Vocabulary Entry/Personal Narrative/Notes

    Cursive Writing

    (Upper Case Letters/Lower Case Letters from N-Z)

    Zaner-Bloser Unit 2 (Pages 8-31)

    9 Weeks

    Unit 3

    Writing Uppercase Cursive Letters

    Downcurve, Curve Forward, Overcurve, Doublecurve, Undercruve-Loop, and Undercurve-Slant Letters

    Short Story/Journal Entry/Report/Literacy Analysis Task

    Cursive Writing Application

    Zaner-Bloser Unit 3 (Pages 32-53)

    9 Weeks

    Unit 4

    Using What You Have Learned

    Cursive in the Real World/Reading Historical Documents/Informative/Explanatory/Editorial/.Science

    Essay/Argument/Narrative/Short Story

    Cursive Writing Application

    Zaner-Bloser Unit 4 (Pages 54-67)

    9 Weeks

    It is recommended that 40 minutes a week be allocated for cursive instruction in grade 6.

  • 4 | P a g e

    Effective Pedagogical Routines/Instructional Strategies Pencil/Pen Grip Posture Writing/Paper Positioning

    The Dynamic Tripod Grip

    The Dynamic Quadrupod

    The Lateral Tripod

    The Lateral Quadrupod

    Sitting Posture such as:

    Feet: Flat

    Knees: 90 Degree

    Back: Up straight, body slightly forward

    Forearms: On the desk

    Elbows: 90 Degree

    Non-Dominant Hand: Anchoring paper

    Shoulders and Neck: Relaxed

  • 5 | P a g e

    Career Readiness, Life Literacies and Key Skills

    8.1.8.AP.6, 8.2.8.ITH.1, 8.2.8.NT.4, 8.2.8.ETW.1

    Algorithms & Programming: Individuals design and test solutions to identify problems taking into consideration the diverse needs of the users and the community. 8.1.8.AP.6: Refine a solution that meets users’ needs by incorporating feedback from team members and users.

    Example: Identify two problems in the community in which you live and write an essay with possible solutions to the problems your community faces. Write in cursive and evaluate your cursive handwriting essay by using the four Keys to Legibility. Interaction of Technology and Humans: Economic, political, social and cultural aspects of society drive development of new technological products, processes, and systems. 8.2.8.ITH.1: Explain how the development and use of technology influences economic, political, social, and cultural issues. Example: Choose one issue/topic that is of concern to our society today. Write an essay explaining how the development and use of technology influences economic, political, social, and cultural issues. Write in cursive and evaluate your cursive handwriting essay by using the four Keys to Legibility. Nature of Technology: Engineers use a systematic process of creating or modifying technologies that is fueled and constrained by physical laws, cultural norms, and economic resources. Scientists use systematic investigation to understand the natural world. 8.2.8.NT.4: Explain how a product designed for a specific demand was modified to meet a new demand and led to a new product. Example: Research companies such as Ford, General Motors and any others that have designed a new product for a specific demand in our world today. What products did they design and why? Create a pamphlet showcasing the new product these companies have created to meet a new demand in our world today. Effects of Technology on the Natural World: Resources need to be utilized wisely to have positive effects on the environment and society. 8.2.8.ETW.1: Illustrate how a product is upcycled into a new product and analyze the short and long term benefits and costs. Example: Create a PowerPoint presentation illustrating how products are upcycled (reused in such a way as to create a product of higher quality of value than the original) and analyze the short and long term benefits and costs.

  • 6 | P a g e

    Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key Skills 9.1.8.CR.1, 9.1.8.FP.6, 9.1.8. FP.7, 9.2.8.CAP.1, 9.2.8.CAP.17

    Civic Financial Responsibility: Philanthropic and charitable organizations play important roles in supporting the interests of individuals and local

    and global communities and the issues that affect them.

    9.1.8.CR.1: Compare and contrast the role of philanthropy, volunteer service, and charities in community development and the quality of life in a

    variety of cultures.

    Example: Create an oral presentation comparing and contrasting the role of philanthropy, volunteer service, and charities in community development

    and the quality of life in a variety of cultures. Identify the volunteer services and charities in your own community and how these charities are

    helping those in need.

    Financial Psychology: Marketing techniques are designed to encourage individuals to purchase items they may not need or want.

    9.1.8.FP.6: Compare and contrast advertising messages to understand what they are trying to accomplish.

    9.1.8.FP.7: Identify the techniques and effects of deceptive advertising.

    Example: Create a pamphlet/poster/Tri-fold board or Power Point presentation on marketing techniques that encourage individuals to purchase items

    they may not need or want. Compare and contrast advertising messages to understand what they are trying to accomplish.

    Career Awareness and Planning: An individual’s strengths, lifestyle goals, choices, and interests affect employment and income.

    9.2.8.CAP.1: Identify offerings such as high school and county career and technical school courses, apprenticeships, military programs, and dual

    enrollment courses that support career or occupational areas of interest.

    Example: Thinking back of all of the choices that Anita had to make in the novel, “Before We Were Free.,” you also have choices to make about

    your future. It is never too early to begin to plan your future. Identify offerings in the local high school and county career and technical school

    courses, apprenticeships, military programs and dual enrollment courses that support career and occupational areas of interest. Create a chart of the

    pros and cons of each offering and write an essay discussing which of these choices may be best for you at this time.

  • 7 | P a g e

    Career Awareness and Planning: Communication skills and responsible behavior in addition to education, experience, certifications, and skills are

    all factors that affect employment and income.

    9.2.8.CAP.17: Prepare a sample resume and cover letter as part of an application process.

    Example: Prepare a sample resume and cover letter for a job opportunity of your choice. With a partner, you will create interview questions for your

    choice of job opportunity. Partners will take turns interviewing one another for the job you applied for with your sample resume and cover letter.

    https://www.nj.gov/education/cccs/2020/2020%20NJSLS-CLKS.pdf

    https://www.nj.gov/education/cccs/2020/2020%20NJSLS-CLKS.pdf

  • 8 | P a g e

    WIDA Proficiency Levels: At the given level of English language proficiency, English language learners will process, understand, produce or use:

    6- Reaching

    • Specialized or technical language reflective of the content areas at grade level

    • A variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in extended oral or written discourse as required by the specified grade level

    • Oral or written communication in English comparable to proficient English peers

    5- Bridging

    • Specialized or technical language of the content areas

    • A variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in extended oral or written discourse, including stories, essays or reports

    • Oral or written language approaching comparability to that of proficient English peers when presented with grade level material.

    4- Expanding

    • Specific and some technical language of the content areas

    • A variety of sentence lengths of varying linguistic complexity in oral discourse or multiple, related sentences or paragraphs

    • Oral or written language with minimal phonological, syntactic or semantic errors that may impede the communication, but retain much of its meaning, when presented with oral or written connected discourse, with sensory, graphic or

    interactive support

    3- Developing

    • General and some specific language of the content areas

    • Expanded sentences in oral interaction or written paragraphs

    • Oral or written language with phonological, syntactic or semantic errors that may impede the communication, but retain much of its meaning, when presented with oral or written, narrative or expository descriptions with sensory, graphic or

    interactive support

    2- Beginning

    • General language related to the content area

    • Phrases or short sentences

    • Oral or written language with phonological, syntactic, or semantic errors that often impede of the communication when presented with one to multiple-step commands, directions, or a series of statements with sensory, graphic or interactive

    support

    1- Entering

    • Pictorial or graphic representation of the language of the content areas

    • Words, phrases or chunks of language when presented with one-step commands directions, WH-, choice or yes/no questions, or statements with sensory, graphic or interactive support

  • 9 | P a g e

    Differentiated Instruction

    Accommodate Based on Students Individual Needs: Strategies

    Time/General

    • Extra time for assigned tasks

    • Adjust length of assignment

    • Timeline with due dates for reports and projects

    • Communication system between home and school

    • Provide lecture notes/outline

    Processing

    • Extra Response time

    • Have students verbalize steps

    • Repeat, clarify or reword

    directions

    • Mini-breaks between tasks

    • Provide a warning for

    transitions

    • Reading partners

    Comprehension

    • Precise step-by-step directions

    • Short manageable tasks

    • Brief and concrete directions

    • Provide immediate feedback

    • Small group instruction

    • Emphasize multi-sensory

    learning

    Recall

    • Teacher-made checklist

    • Use visual graphic organizers

    • Reference resources to

    promote independence

    • Visual and verbal reminders

    • Graphic organizers

    Assistive Technology

    • Computer/whiteboard

    • Tape recorder

    • Spell-checker

    • Audio-taped books

    Tests/Quizzes/Grading

    • Extended time

    • Study guides

    • Shortened tests

    • Read directions aloud

    Behavior/Attention

    • Consistent daily structured

    routine

    • Simple and clear classroom

    rules

    • Frequent feedback

    Organization

    • Individual daily planner

    • Display a written agenda

    • Note-taking assistance

    • Color code materials

  • 10 | P a g e

    Differentiated Instruction

    Accommodate Based on Students’ Individual Needs:

    • Wider lined paper

    • Choice of writing utensils

    • Choice white board vs. paper

    • Tiered Instruction

    • Small group instruction

    • Sentence starters/frames

    • Writing scaffolds

    • Tiered learning centers

    • Handwriting paper

    • Tracing tools

    • Letter Tracing in the Air

  • 11 | P a g e

    Interdisciplinary Connections

    Social Studies: NJSLS: 6.1 .12.B.5.a and 6.1.12.B.5.b

    Students will research the setting of The Dominican Republic in the 1960's and write a brief description of the area, its climate,

    the primary means of livelihood, and its location within the world.

    Students will also respond in cursive writing to the following questions:

    Do you think The Dominican Republic is a good choice for the setting of this novel? Why or why not?

    How different do you think the Dominican Republic in the 1960's is from The Dominican Republic of today? Explain some

    differences and similarities.

    Examine three scenes in the novel and explain how the setting influences what happens in the action of those scenes.

    English Language Arts: NJSLS: W.5.10

    • Students will analyze two literary texts and complete a literary analysis task.

  • 12 | P a g e

    Enrichment

    Accommodate Based on Students Individual Needs: Strategies

    The goal of Enrichment is to provide learners the opportunity to participate in extension activities that are differentiated and augment the

    district’s curriculum. Teachers are to accommodate based on student individual needs.

    • Prepare a writing piece in advanced cursive writing

    • Instruct students on the different types of print or cursive

    • Complete assessments in cursive

    • Assist the teacher in the modeling of block and cursive writing.

    • Inquiry based assignments featuring different types of writing

    • Independent student options

    • Reading in script and different types of print

    • Purposeful Learning Center

    • Open-ended activities and projects

    • Providing pupils with experiences outside the ‘regular’ curriculum

    • Altering the pace the student uses to cover regular curriculum in order to explore topics of interest in greater depth/breadth within their own

    grade level.

    • Using supplementary materials in addition to the normal range of resources.

  • 13 | P a g e

    Assessments

    Suggested Formative/Summative Classroom Assessments

    • Quizzes

    • Journals

    • Cursive Task

    • Quick writes

    • Portfolio

    • Exit Slips

    • Graphic Organizers

    • Homework

    • Anecdotal Notes

    • Student Conferencing

  • 14 | P a g e

    Grade: 6 Unit: 1

    Topic: Getting Started: Pretest

    Handwriting basics

    Writing Positions and Basic Strokes

    Cursive Letters and Numerals

    Review of Cursive Writing with Grip and

    Posture

    (Upper Case Letters/Lower Case Letters from

    A-M)

    Please Note: When conducting handwriting instruction teachers should model the letter creation, followed by student describing the process

    of forming the letter. Students will practice and evaluate their cursive handwriting.

    Student Learning

    Objective Essential Question Activities and Task Resources

    Evaluate cursive

    handwriting.

    Why is it important to

    learn how to write in

    cursive?

    Teacher reads poem by Eve

    Merriam to students. Students

    practice writing the poem in

    their best cursive handwriting.

    Students evaluate their writing

    by circling their three best

    letters and underline three

    letters that need improvement.

    Students evaluate their writing

    by the following criteria:

    Question: Is my slant correct?

    Do my letters rest on the

    baseline?

    Compare: Students compare

    their handwriting to correct

    http://www.MyZBPortal.com

    http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/

    http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/16/improve-your-cursive-

    handwriting/

    https://www.peterson-

    handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLesson

    s.pdf

    http://writeanalog.com/learning-cursive-handwriting/

    http://www.k12reader.com/handwriting/cursive_practice_a_z.pdf

    http://www.tvdsb.ca/webpages/craigg/language.cfm?subpage=157023

    http://www.myzbportal.com/http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/16/improve-your-cursive-handwriting/http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/16/improve-your-cursive-handwriting/https://www.peterson-handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLessons.pdfhttps://www.peterson-handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLessons.pdfhttps://www.peterson-handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLessons.pdfhttp://writeanalog.com/learning-cursive-handwriting/http://www.k12reader.com/handwriting/cursive_practice_a_z.pdfhttp://www.tvdsb.ca/webpages/craigg/language.cfm?subpage=157023

  • 15 | P a g e

    Review correct positions

    for writing cursive; review

    the basic strokes.

    Why is it important to

    use the proper basic

    stroke model and

    formation?

    models.

    Evaluate: Students determine

    strengths and weaknesses in

    their handwriting based on the

    Keys to Legibility.

    Diagnose: Students diagnose

    the cause of any difficulties.

    Possible causes include

    incorrect paper or pencil

    position inconsistent pressure

    on the pencil, and incorrect

    strokes.

    Improve: Self-evaluation

    should include a means of

    improvement through

    additional instruction and

    continued practice.

    Practice the Writing Positions

    and Basic Strokes:

    Undercurve, Downcurve,

    Overcurve, and Diagonal on

    the student page.

    Model, Practice and Evaluate

    student writing (Teacher and

    students evaluate writing)

  • 16 | P a g e

    Review cursive letters and

    numerals.

    Practice the Shape and

    Size Keys to Legibility.

    Practice the Spacing and

    Slant Keys to legibility

    Analyze the type of grip

    used to assist in proper

    Why is it important to

    review and practice

    writing uppercase and

    lowercase cursive letters

    and numerals?

    How can we evaluate our

    letters by their shape and

    size?

    How can we evaluate our

    writing based on the

    spacing and slant of our

    letters?

    Why is it important to

    Review uppercase and

    lowercase cursive letters and

    numerals 1-10 on the student

    page.

    Model, Practice and Evaluate.

    Model, Practice and Evaluate

    how to use the Keys to

    Legibility using Shape and

    Size of letters.

    Students will complete the

    activity on Keys to Legibility

    on page 6.

    Model, Practice and Evaluate

    students writing based on the

    spacing and slant of their

    letters.

    Students will complete page 7

    and evaluate their writing

    based on the spacing and slant

    of their letters.

    Write all lower case and upper

    case letters from memory in

  • 17 | P a g e

    handwriting. The

    following techniques are

    most commonly used:

    The Dynamic Tripod Grip

    The Dynamic Quadrupod

    The Lateral Tripod

    The Lateral Quadrupod

    Identify proper posture

    when engaged in the

    writing process.

    Develop letters A-M

    upper case and lower case

    letters in cursive.

    have proper grip and

    posture when

    handwriting?

    Why is a precise

    approach to cursive

    important in

    communication?

    What are some common

    inaccuracies when

    writing in cursive?

    cursive

    Write a story using cursive

    Keep a journal using print and

    follow proper form

    Reader’s Response Notebook

    Blogging

    Quick Writes

    Interactive Writing

  • 18 | P a g e

    Grade: 6 Unit: 2

    Topic: Writing Lowercase Cursive Letters

    Undercurve, Downcurve, and Overcurve Letters

    Vocabulary Entry/Personal Narrative/Notes

    Cursive Writing

    (Upper Case Letters/Lower Case Letters from

    N-Z)

    Please Note: When conducting handwriting instruction teachers should model the letter creation, followed by student describing the process

    of forming the letter. Students will practice and evaluate their cursive handwriting.

    Student Learning

    Objective Essential Question Activities and Task Resources

    Practice and master

    lowercase cursive i

    and t.

    Why is it important to

    practice writing

    lowercase cursive

    letters?

    Students will practice Letter

    Models and Formations:

    Undercurve.

    Model, Practice, and Evaluate

    student practice, page 8. Students

    will evaluate the Shape of their

    letters.

    Students will ask the following

    questions to evaluate their work:

    Did you pull your diagonal strokes

    to the baseline?

    Is your t crossed correctly?

    Does your i rest on the baseline/?

    http://www.MyZBPortal.com

    http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/ ·

    http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/16/improve-your-cursive-

    handwriting/ · https://www.peterson-

    handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLessons.pdf

    http://writeanalog.com/learning-cursive-handwriting/ ·

    http://www.k12reader.com/handwriting/cursive_practice_a_z.pdf ·

    http://www.tvdsb.ca/webpages/craigg/language.cfm?subpage=15702

    http://www.myzbportal.com/

  • 19 | P a g e

    Practice and master

    lowercase cursive u

    and w.

    Practice and master

    lowercase cursive e

    and l.

    Why is it important to

    master the

    Undercurve?

    How can evaluating

    the size of letters help

    to become better at

    cursive handwriting?

    Letter models and Formations:

    Students will practice Undercurve

    on page 9.

    Model, Practice, and Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their work by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Did you pull your diagonal strokes

    to the baseline?

    Are the diagonal strokes in your u

    and w parallel?

    Do your letters rest on the baseline?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice Undercurve

    on page 10.

    Model, Practice, and Evaluate

    Students will evaluate their work by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Did you pull your diagonal strokes

    to the baseline?

    Do your letters rest on the baseline?

    Are your strokes smooth and even?

  • 20 | P a g e

    Practice and master

    writing lowercase

    cursive b, h, and f.

    Practice and master

    writing lowercase

    cursive k, r, and s.

    In what ways are the

    letters alike? How

    does b end? Where

    does the lower loop in

    f close?

    How are k, r, and s

    alike? How are r and

    s different?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice writing

    lowercase cursive b, h, and f on

    page 11.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their work by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Did you pull your diagonal strokes

    to the baseline?

    Are your strokes smooth and even?

    Are all your letters the correct size?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice writing

    lowercase cursive k, r, and s on

    page 12.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their work by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Is the forward curve of your k

    closed?

    Does your r have correct slant?

  • 21 | P a g e

    Practice and master

    writing lowercase

    cursive j and p.

    Review lowercase

    cursive i, t, u, w, e,

    l, b, h, f, k, r, s, j,

    and p.

    Which letter begins

    and ends with an

    undercurve?

    Which letter ends

    with a dot?

    Why might one letter

    students wrote be

    better than another?

    Is your s about the same width as

    the model?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice writing

    lowercase cursive j and p on page

    13.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their work by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Do the loops of your j and p close

    near the baseline?

    Are your strokes smooth and even?

    Review: Students will complete a

    review of their lowercase cursive

    letters i, t, u, w, e, l, b, h, f, k, r, s, j,

    and p on page 14.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their work by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Did you write with correct strokes

  • 22 | P a g e

    Write a vocabulary

    entry using legible

    handwriting.

    Practice and master

    lowercase cursive a

    and d.

    What is the

    importance of legible

    writing in all areas of

    the school

    curriculum?

    How are a and d

    alike?

    How are they

    different?

    so your letters have good shape?

    Did you write letters with good size

    to fit the writing space?

    Did you follow the models for

    correct spacing?

    Does your writing have uniform

    slant?

    Students will apply what they have

    learned on page 15.

    Students will think about the most

    amazing sight they have seen and

    write a narrative paragraph to

    describe the experience.

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice writing

    lowercase cursive a and d on page

    16.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their writing

    by asking the following questions:

    Do your letters have correct slant?

    Did you pull the diagonal strokes in

    your a and d to the baseline?

  • 23 | P a g e

    Practice and master

    writing lowercase

    cursive g and o.

    Practice and master

    lowercase cursive c

    and q.

    Where does the loop

    in g close? How does

    o end?

    How does c end?

    Where does the loop

    in q close?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice writing

    lowercase cursive g and o on page

    17.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their writing

    by asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Are your letters closed at the top?

    Does the loop in your g end near

    the baseline?

    Do your letters have correct slant?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice writing

    lowercase c and q on page 18.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their writing

    by asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Do your letters have smooth lines?

    Does the loop of your q close near

    the baseline?

  • 24 | P a g e

    Practice writing

    words using legible

    manuscript

    handwriting.

    Review lowercase

    cursive a, d, g, o, c,

    and q.

    What are the Keys to

    Legibility for

    manuscript writing?

    What is a

    homophone?

    Practice: Manuscript Maintenance.

    Students will practice writing

    words using legible manuscript

    handwriting on page 19.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will keep track of foods

    they eat during one day. Students

    will research the foods to determine

    which ones were the healthiest and

    why. Students will write an

    informative/ explanatory journal

    entry about which foods were

    healthiest and which foods they

    might replace with healthier

    choices.

    Students will evaluate their

    manuscript handwriting by focusing

    on the basic strokes and the shape

    and size of their letters to determine

    whether their manuscript letters are

    legible.

    Review: Students will complete the

    lowercase cursive review for the

    letters a, d, g, o, c, and q on page

    20.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

  • 25 | P a g e

    Write a personal

    narrative using

    legible handwriting.

    What is the

    importance of legible

    writing in all areas of

    the school

    curriculum? Talk

    about how illegible

    words might be

    mistaken for

    misspellings and the

    kinds of problems this

    can pose for students.

    Students will evaluate their writing

    by asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Did you write with correct strokes

    so your letters have good shape?

    Did you write letters with good size

    to fit the writing space?

    Did you follow the models for

    correct spacing?

    Does your writing have uniform

    slant?

    Apply: Students will write a

    personal narrative using legible

    handwriting on page 21.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Create an anchor chart in the

    classroom focusing on featured tips

    for legible writing.

  • 26 | P a g e

    Practice and master

    lowercase cursive n

    and m.

    Practice and master

    lowercase cursive y

    and x.

    How do the letters

    begin? How many

    overcurves are in n?

    Which letter has a

    lift? How many

    overcurves are there

    in y? How does y

    end?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice and master

    writing the lowercase cursive n and

    m on page 22.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their own

    writing by asking themselves the

    following questions:

    Are your short letters about half the

    height of your tall letters?

    Is each letter about the same width

    as the model?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice and master

    lowercase cursive y and x on page

    23.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their own

    lowercase cursive y and x by asking

    themselves the following questions:

    Is your x crossed near the middle of

    the diagonal stroke?

    Does the loop in your y close near

    the baseline?

  • 27 | P a g e

    Practice and master

    lowercase cursive v

    and z.

    Practice writing

    manuscript letters.

    How does v end?

    How is the beginning

    stroke in z like the

    ending stroke?

    What are ways that

    we can improve

    legibility?

    Write: Students will practice and

    master lowercase cursive v and z on

    page 24.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their own

    lowercase cursive v and z by asking

    themselves the following questions:

    Is each letter about the same width

    as the model?

    Does your v end with a

    checkstroke?

    Does the loop in your z close near

    the baseline?

    Manuscript Maintenance: Students

    will practice writing manuscript

    letters on page 25.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will use the information

    they wrote in the chart on page 25

    to write complete sentences about

    each constellation. Provide more

    information on the constellations

    and ask them to write sentences

    about two more constellations.

  • 28 | P a g e

    Practice the

    different types of

    joinings.

    Review lowercase

    cursive: n, m, y, x,

    v, and z.

    What are joining

    letters and why are

    they important?

    What is an adverb?

    Give an example of

    Write: Students will practice in

    joining letters smoothly so their

    cursive handwriting flows easily on

    pages 26 and 27.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Write: Students will evaluate their

    different types of joining by asking

    themselves the following questions:

    Does your undercurve swing wide

    to form the next letter?

    Does your checkstroke deepen a

    little before swinging into the

    undercurve of the next letter?

    Does your checkstroke swing right

    to form the top of a downcurve?

    Does your overcurve turn at the

    baseline to form an undercurve?

    Does your overcurve continue up to

    form the top of a downcurve?

    Does your overcurve turn quickly

    into the overcurve of the next

    letter?

    Review: Students will review

    lowercase cursive letters n, m, y, x,

    v, and z on page 28.

  • 29 | P a g e

    Write notes using

    legible handwriting.

    Practice writing

    using the four Keys

    to Legibility.

    an adverb.

    What featured tips for

    legible writing will

    help you in writing

    notes using legible

    handwriting?

    What are the four

    Keys to Legibility:

    Shape, Size, Spacing,

    and Slant.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    lowercase cursive letters by asking

    themselves the following questions:

    Did you write letters with good size

    to fit the writing space?

    Did you follow the models for

    correct spacing?

    Does your writing have uniform

    slant?

    Apply: Students will write notes

    using legible handwriting on pages

    29.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    handwriting by using the anchor

    chart on featured tips for legible

    writing.

    Evaluate: Students will read and

    write a paragraph about typewriters

    on pages 30 and 31.

    Teachers will observe as students

    complete student pages. Informally

  • 30 | P a g e

    Identify the impact

    of proper cursive

    writing.

    Examine common

    errors that occur

    during cursive

    writing.

    Develop N-Z upper

    case and lower case

    letters using down-

    curve, over-curve,

    slant and straight.

    Analyze the

    creation of letters in

    cursive writing to

    create multiple

    sentences.

    What are some of the

    common errors with

    cursive writing?

    How are cursive

    letters connected to

    create words?

    How is my cursive

    writing different from

    when I initially

    learned it?

    assess students’ speed and

    automaticity.

    Students will look over their

    paragraph, identifying their best

    letter and word. Students will use

    the Key prompts at the bottom of

    page 31.

    Write lower case and upper case

    letters in cursive by memory

    Write and create words using letters

    N-Z and connect them in cursive

    Keep a journal using print and

    follow proper form

    Make a list of letters that follow the

    same type of writing angles

    Create a poster that is labeled using

    lines in cursive

    Reader’s Response Notebook

    Journals

    Blogging

    Quick Writes

    Interactive Writing

  • 31 | P a g e

    Grade: 6 Unit: 3

    Topic: Writing Uppercase Cursive Letters

    Downcurve, Curve Forward, Overcurve,

    Doublecurve, Undercurve-Loop, and

    Undercurve-Slant Letters

    Short Story/Journal Entry/Report/Literacy

    Analysis Task

    Cursive Writing Application

    Please Note: When conducting handwriting instruction teachers should model the letter creation, followed by student describing the process

    of forming the letter. Students will practice and evaluate their cursive handwriting.

    Student Learning

    Objective Essential Question Activities and Task Resources

    Practice and master

    uppercase cursive A

    and O.

    In what ways are the

    letters alike? How

    many pauses are in

    O?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice and master

    uppercase cursive A and O on page

    32.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive A and O by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Did you pull your downstrokes in

    the proper direction?

    Does your writing have uniform

    forward slant?

    http://www.MyZBPortal.com

    http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/

    http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/16/improve-your-cursive-

    handwriting/

    https://www.peterson-

    handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLessons.pdf

    http://writeanalog.com/learning-cursive-handwriting/

    http://www.k12reader.com/handwriting/cursive_practice_a_z.pdf

    http://www.tvdsb.ca/webpages/craigg/language.cfm?subpage=157023

    https://student.unsw.edu.au/note-taking-skills

    https://student.unsw.edu.au/note-taking-skills

    http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/16/improve-your-cursive-handwriting/http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/16/improve-your-cursive-handwriting/https://www.peterson-handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLessons.pdfhttps://www.peterson-handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLessons.pdfhttp://writeanalog.com/learning-cursive-handwriting/http://www.k12reader.com/handwriting/cursive_practice_a_z.pdfhttp://www.tvdsb.ca/webpages/craigg/language.cfm?subpage=157023https://student.unsw.edu.au/note-taking-skillshttps://student.unsw.edu.au/note-taking-skills

  • 32 | P a g e

    Practice and master

    uppercase cursive

    D, C, and E.

    Review uppercase

    cursive A, O, D, C,

    and E.

    How many times does

    D touch the baseline?

    How does C begin?

    How many loops are

    in E?

    What are present and

    past tense verbs?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice and master

    uppercase cursive D, C, and E on

    page 33.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive letters D, C, and

    E by asking themselves the

    following questions:

    Are your letters the correct size?

    Does your D touch the baseline

    twice?

    Do your C and E have correct

    slant?

    Review: Students will complete the

    review on page 34.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    sentences using the past tense of the

    verb by asking themselves the

    following questions:

    Did you write with correct strokes

    so your letters have good shape?

    Did you write letters with good size

  • 33 | P a g e

    Write a short story

    using legible

    handwriting.

    Practice and master

    uppercase cursive N

    and M.

    What are the elements

    of a good short story?

    W does N differ from

    M? How many

    diagonal strokes does

    each letter have?

    to fit the writing space?

    Did you follow the models for

    correct spacing?

    Does your writing have uniform

    slant?

    Apply: Students will complete

    writing a short story on page 35.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their short

    story handwriting by focusing on

    the featured tips for legible writing.

    Students may add more featured

    tips to their anchor chart.

    Students will write their own

    original short story.

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice and master

    uppercase cursive N and M on page

    36.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive N and M by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

  • 34 | P a g e

    Practice and master

    uppercase cursive H

    and K.

    Practice and master

    uppercase cursive

    U, Y, and Z.

    How are H and K

    alike?

    How many loops are

    in H?

    How do both U and Y

    begin? Which letters

    end with an

    overcurve?

    Is each letter about the same width

    as the model?

    Are your diagonal strokes parallel?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice and master

    uppercase cursive H and K on page

    37.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive H and K by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Do your letters rest on the baseline?

    Are your strokes smooth and even?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice uppercase

    cursive U, Y, Z on page 38.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive U, Y, and Z

    letters by asking themselves the

  • 35 | P a g e

    Practice and master

    uppercase cursive

    V, W, and X.

    Review uppercase

    cursive N, M, H, K,

    U, Y, Z, V, W, and

    X.

    How does each letter

    begin? How many

    undercurves are in

    W? Where is the lift

    in X?

    What is a semicolon

    and when do we use

    it?

    following questions:

    Are your short letters about half the

    height of your tall letters?

    Is each letter about the same width

    as the model?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice uppercase

    cursive letters V, W, and X on page

    39.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive V, W, and X

    letters by asking themselves the

    following questions:

    Do your letters rest on the baseline?

    Are your strokes smooth and even?

    Review: Students will complete

    uppercase cursive letters N, M, H,

    K, U, Y, Z, V, W, and X on page

    40.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their cursive

  • 36 | P a g e

    Write a journal

    entry using legible

    handwriting.

    Practice and master

    When did the Civil

    War happen? Why

    did it happen? Who

    was the president of

    the United States

    when the war started?

    What was his role in

    the beginning and end

    of the war? Who were

    the leaders of each

    side?

    How des Q begin?

    Where do I and J

    review of letters N, M, H, K, U, Y,

    Z, V, W, and X by asking

    themselves the following questions:

    Did you write with correct strokes

    so your letters have proper shape?

    Did you write letters with good size

    to fit the writing space?

    Did you follow the models for

    correct spacing?

    Does your writing have uniform

    slant?

    Apply: Students will write a brief

    summary of the Civil War based on

    the discussion questions.

    Students will complete a journal

    entry on page 41.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their journal

    entry based on the featured tip for

    legible writing anchor chart.

    Students may add to the featured tip

    anchor chart posted in the

    classroom.

    Letter Models and Formations:

  • 37 | P a g e

    uppercase cursive I,

    J, and Q.

    Practice and master

    uppercase cursive T

    and F.

    begin? How does J

    end?

    How do the letters

    begin? How are T and

    F alike? How are they

    different?

    Students will practice uppercase

    cursive I, J, and Q on page 42.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive letters I, J, and Q

    by asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Did you use consistent spacing

    between your letters and words?

    Is your writing easy to read?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice uppercase

    cursive T and F on page 43.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive T and F by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Does the last stroke in your T curve

    right?

    Does your F have a slide right

    stroke?

    Display a few photos for several of

    the locations listed on pages 42-43.

    Have students select one of the

  • 38 | P a g e

    Review uppercase

    cursive, I, J, Q, T,

    and F.

    Why are the four

    Keys to Legibility so

    important?

    Why is it important to

    write legibly?

    locations and write an argument

    paragraph about why it would be

    the best place to do something they

    enjoy. For example, if students

    enjoy going to a beach, they might

    write about Jamaica and why it is

    the best place for beachgoers.

    Review: Students will review

    uppercase cursive letters I, J, Q, T,

    and F on page 44.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive letters I, J, Q, T,

    and F by asking themselves the

    following questions: Did you write

    with correct strokes so your letters

    have good shape?

    Did you write letters with good size

    to fit the writing space?

    Did you follow the models for

    correct spacing?

    Does your writing have uniform

    slant?

  • 39 | P a g e

    Write a report using

    legible handwriting.

    Practice and master

    uppercase cursive

    G, S, and L.

    Practice and master

    uppercase cursive P,

    R, and B.

    Which letters curve

    forward and back

    from the diagonal

    stroke? Which letter

    curves forward and

    loops?

    Apply: Students will write a report

    using legible handwriting on page

    45.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their report

    by focusing on the featured tips for

    legible writing anchor chart.

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice uppercase

    cursive letters G, S, and L on page

    46.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive G, S, and L by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Does your writing have uniform

    forward slant?

    Did you position your paper

    correctly to help you achieve good

    slant?

    Letter Models and Formations:

    Students will practice uppercase

    cursive P, R, and B on page 47.

  • 40 | P a g e

    Practice and master

    the different types

    of joinings.

    What is the

    importance of

    practicing joining

    letters?

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive letters P, R, and

    B by asking themselves the

    following questions: Do your letters

    have correct slant?

    Is each letter about the same width

    as the model?

    Are the forward curves of your B

    parallel with the diagonal stroke?

    Joinings: Students will practice the

    different types of joinings on pages

    48 and 49.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their work on

    the different types of joinings by

    asking themselves the following

    questions:

    Do your undercurves swing to form

    the fist curve of the next letter?

    Do your letters and joinings look

    like the models?

    Are your undercurves wide enough

    to allow room for joining the next

    letter?

  • 41 | P a g e

    Review uppercase

    cursive G, S, L, P,

    R, and B.

    Write a report using

    legible handwriting.

    Why might one letter

    be better than

    another?

    What types of

    problems can arise

    Do your loops swing across and

    slightly down to allow room for

    joining the next letter?

    Do your overcurves continue up to

    form the next downcurve letter?

    Review: Students will review

    uppercase cursive letters G, S, L, P,

    R, and B on page 50.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    uppercase cursive letters G, S, L, P,

    R and B by asking themselves the

    following questions:

    Did you write with correct strokes

    so your letters have proper shape?

    Did you write letters with good size

    to fit the writing space?

    Did you follow the models for

    correct spacing?

    Does your writing have uniform

    slant?

    Apply: Students will write a report

    using legible handwriting on page

  • 42 | P a g e

    Practice writing

    using the four Keys

    to Legibility

    Evaluate text in

    preparation for a

    literary analysis

    essay.

    Examine the use of

    script writing when

    completing quick

    writes and note-

    taking in

    preparation for a

    writing piece.

    Determine the

    impact cursive

    from illegible

    handwriting?

    How are the Keys to

    Legibility used to

    evaluate cursive

    handwriting

    How does cursive

    writing improve your

    essay outline?

    How do you identify

    the claims you will

    use in your essay to

    support your

    analysis?

    Do you prefer to

    write in print or

    cursive when creating

    a rough draft?

    51.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their report

    using the featured tips for legible

    writing anchor chart.

    Evaluate: Students will practice

    writing a paragraph on pages 52

    and 53.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their cursive

    handwriting paragraph by using the

    four Keys to Legibility.

    Use cursive writing to complete the

    following reading analysis and

    writing task:

    Reading Paired Texts for LAT

    Creating an Outline for LAT

    The Introductory Paragraph for

    LAT

    First Body Paragraph for LAT

    The Second Body Paragraph for

    LAT

    Using Transitions

    Concluding Paragraph for LAT

  • 43 | P a g e

    writing has on your

    essay.

    Reader’s Response Notebook

    Journals

    Blogging

    Quick Writes

    Interactive Writing

  • 44 | P a g e

    Grade: 6 Unit: 4

    Topic: Using What You Have Learned

    Cursive in the Real World/Reading Historical

    Documents/Informative/Explanatory/Editorial/.Science

    Essay/Argument/Narrative/Short Story

    Cursive Writing Application

    Please Note: When conducting handwriting instruction teachers should model the letter creation, followed by student describing the process

    of forming the letter. Students will practice and evaluate their cursive handwriting.

    Student Learning

    Objective

    Essential

    Question Activities and Task Resources

    Identify one’s personal

    handwriting style.

    Practice writing legibly in

    other languages.

    What is the

    difference

    between legibility

    and personal

    style?

    Is your

    handwriting

    legible, why or

    why not?

    Apply: Cursive in the Real

    World. Students will practice

    their handwriting by rewriting

    riddles and answers in cursive

    on pages 54.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    own personal handwriting

    style by the shape of their

    writing.

    Apply: Cursive in the Real

    World. Students will practice

    their handwriting by writing

    legibly in other languages on

    http://www.MyZBPortal.com

    http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/

    http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/16/improve-your-cursive-handwriting/

    https://www.peterson-

    handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLessons.pdf

    http://writeanalog.com/learning-cursive-handwriting/

    http://www.k12reader.com/handwriting/cursive_practice_a_z.pdf

    http://www.tvdsb.ca/webpages/craigg/language.cfm?subpage=157023

    http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/16/improve-your-cursive-handwriting/https://www.peterson-handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLessons.pdfhttps://www.peterson-handwriting.com/Publications/PDF_versions/ReviewAdvancedLessons.pdfhttp://writeanalog.com/learning-cursive-handwriting/http://www.k12reader.com/handwriting/cursive_practice_a_z.pdfhttp://www.tvdsb.ca/webpages/craigg/language.cfm?subpage=157023

  • 45 | P a g e

    Read a historical

    document and transcribe

    the hand-written text

    using legible cursive

    handwriting.

    What is the shape,

    size, spacing, and

    slant of the

    document’s

    handwritten

    words on pages

    56 and 57?

    page 55.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    own personal handwriting by

    using the four Keys to

    Legibility checklist on the

    bottom of page 55.

    Apply: Reading Historical

    Documents. Students will

    transcribe the handwritten text

    using legible cursive

    handwriting on pages 56 and

    57.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    own cursive handwriting by

    asking themselves the

    following questions:

    Did you write with correct

    strokes so your letters have

    good shape?

    Are your letters the correct

    size?

    Did you use proper spacing?

    Did you write with correct

  • 46 | P a g e

    Complete an outline in

    preparation for writing a

    science essay.

    What are some of

    the most familiar

    science topics?

    slant?

    Did you write with correct

    strokes so your letters have

    good shape?

    Are your letters the correct

    size?

    Did you use proper spacing?

    Did you write with correct

    slant?

    Apply:

    Informative/Explanatory.

    Students will complete an

    outline based on a familiar

    science topic on page 60.

    Model, Practice, Evaluation.

    Students will complete an

    outline based on a familiar

    science topic in preparation for

    writing a science essay.

    Students will use the

    information from their outline

    to write an

    informative/explanatory essay

    about a familiar science topic.

    Students will evaluate their

  • 47 | P a g e

    Write a science essay that

    includes domain-specific

    vocabulary and that

    maintains a formal style.

    What are some of

    the domain-

    specific

    vocabulary words

    specific to your

    science topic?

    science essay by asking

    themselves the following

    questions:

    Did you from your letters

    carefully so they are easy to

    read?

    Are your letters the correct

    size?

    Is there proper space between

    each letter and word?

    Did you use proper slant?

    Apply:

    Informative/Explanatory.

    Students will use information

    from their outline to write an

    informative/explanatory essay

    about a familiar science topic

    on page 61.

    Students will evaluate their

    science essay that includes

    domain-specific vocabulary

    that maintains a formal style

    by asking themselves the

    following questions:

    Does your writing have

  • 48 | P a g e

    Complete a graphic

    organizer in preparation

    for writing an argument

    essay.

    Which is more

    important: Talent

    or hard work?

    uniform forward slant?

    Did you pull your downstrokes

    in the proper direction?

    Apply: Argument. Students

    will complete a graphic

    organizer in preparation for

    writing an argument essay

    with a claim, supporting

    reasons, and evidence (facts or

    examples) on page 62.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    graphic organizer with a

    claim, supporting reasons, and

    evidence (facts or examples),

    by asking themselves the

    following questions:

    Did you from your letters

    carefully so they are easy to

    read?

    Are your letters the correct

    size?

    Is there proper space between

    each letter and word?

    Did you use proper slant?

  • 49 | P a g e

    Write an essay arguing

    whether talent or hard

    work is more important,

    supporting the claim with

    reasons and evidence

    (facts or examples).

    Write a short story that

    includes real or imagined

    experiences or events,

    making sure to include

    dialogue and a

    conclusion.

    What is an

    argument essay?

    What is a

    transition? When

    do we use

    transitions?

    Apply: Students will use the

    information from their graphic

    organizer to write an argument

    essay. Students will introduce

    their claim and organize their

    reasons and evidence clearly

    on page 63.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate their

    argument essay and the shape

    of their letters by asking

    themselves the following

    questions:

    Does each letter have its own

    clear shape?

    Did you form your letters

    using correct strokes?

    Apply: Students will write a

    narrative short story that

    includes real or imagined

    experiences or events.

    Students will include dialogue

    to develop characters on pages

    64 and 65.

    Model, Practice, Evaluate.

    Students will evaluate the size

    of their letters in their

  • 50 | P a g e

    Complete a posttest and

    assess year-long

    improvement.

    Have you

    compared your

    writing from the

    beginning of the

    year to now?

    narrative by asking themselves

    the following questions:

    Do your tall letters not quite

    reach the headline?

    Are our short letters half as tall

    as your tall letters?

    Do your letters with

    descenders go below the

    baseline?

    Evaluate: Posttest. Students

    will read the poem,

    “Metaphor.” Students will

    then take part in a discussion

    about the poem on page 66.

    The following are questions

    based on the poem: What is

    the main metaphor, or

    comparison, in the poem? Do

    you think it is a good

    description of life? Why or

    why not? Do the lines rhyme?

    Students will then write an

    argument paragraph in which

    they give a short description of

    the poem’s message and tell

    whether or not they liked the

    poem and why on pages 66

    and 67.

  • 51 | P a g e

    Using Cursive writing

    develop and organize

    your writing in a way that

    makes sense for the

    audience and purpose by

    using a triple column

    graphic organizerin

    preparation for an

    explanatory/informational

    essay.

    Know how to write in

    cursive to produce a

    Are you writing

    to prove

    something?

    How will cursive

    writing enhance

    the reader’s

    experience?

    How will you

    organize your

    writing?

    Is there a graphic

    organizer that can

    assist you in your

    writing?

    Is there

    information you

    need to include?

    Students will evaluate their

    cursive handwriting by using

    the four Keys to Legibility.

    Students will discuss how their

    writing has changed.

    Teachers will meet

    individually with students to

    help them asses their progress.

    Writing claims in cursive

    using researched based articles

    Prepare a speech in cursive

    Note take in cursive in

    preparation for your writing

    Use of graphic organizers

    cursive to complete your

    writing

    Reader’s Response Notebook

    Journals

    Blogging

    Quick Writes

    Interactive Writing

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    logical, sequential

    manner using proper

    writing conventions.

    Using cursive, develop

    claims that are supported

    by textual evidence.

    Where will you

    add that

    information?

    Culminating Assignment

    Note: This culminating assignment should be completed in conjunction with the English Language Arts teacher.

    In Language Arts class, we read the novel Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez.

    The setting for this novel is The Dominican Republic in the 1960's. Discuss the following before responding to each question in

    essay form. The essay will be written in your best cursive handwriting. Remember all that you learned throughout this year

    while practicing cursive writing.

    1. Research the setting of The Dominican Republic in the 1960's and write a brief description of the area, its climate, the

    primary means of livelihood, and its location within the world.

    2. Do you think The Dominican Republic is a good choice for the setting of this novel? Why or why not?

    3. How different do you think the Dominican Republic in the 1960's is from The Dominican Republic of today? Explain some

    differences and similarities.

    4. Examine three scenes in the novel and explain how the setting influences what happens in the action of those scenes.

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    Zaner-Bloser Cursive Keys to Legibility

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