"A Diagnostic Introduction to Writers Inc" as a Sample Mini-Lesson
by Joseph M. Shosh
Objectives:
1. to become familiar with the handbook which will serve as the starting point for Ed. 360
mini-lessons
2. to diagnose individual areas which are in need of mini-lesson instruction
3. to experience cooperative learning as an instructional strategy
4. to discuss effective mini-lesson planning strategies
Rationale:
Ed. 360 participants will use Writers Inc as the basic handbook for mini-lessons in the course and
hopefully will use the text to guide the creation of lessons in the field. Research suggests that
students learn most when they are actively engaged in their own learning. Ideally, we will
actively assess our own genuine need for meaningful mini-lesson instruction and design lessons
to meet those needs.
Procedure:
1. Introduce Writers Inc as a handbook.
2. Explore the need for familiarity with any hand/text book before it can be of genuine use.
3. Count off by fours to create four groups of three. (If there are absentees, 1 or more groups will
simply be partners.)
„Answers require group consensus.
„Each member must report at least two answers back to the class when we reconvene.
4. Allow approximately 15 minutes for each group to complete "Meet the Handbook" activity.
5. Discuss the answers to questions 1-6, allowing each group to present its findings.
„Encourage everyone to create a list of areas in need of further instruction/exploration.
6. Review roster of concepts in need of mini-lesson instruction.
7. Go over lesson planning format as explained in syllabus.
8. Sign up future mini-lesson facilitators.
Materials:
1. Writers Inc handbook
2. "Meet the Handbook" group answer sheets
3. Syllabus
4. Copies of this lesson plan
Evaluation:
Each participant will actively present at least two answers.
Each participant will facilitate his or her own mini-lesson.
Writers Inc: Meet the Handbook Group 1 Activity Sheet
Use the Writers Inc handbook to answer each question below. If members of your group disagree, try to come to a consensus. Jot down the page number in the handbook which is most helpful for answering each question. Remember that each group member must present at least two of your answers to the class when we reconvene.
Basic Elements of Writing
1. What is a dangling modifier? Share two original examples.
Searching and Researching
2. Use a student model of a research paper to offer two tips for writing a research report.
Forms of Writing
3. What tips can you offer for journal writing?
Writing About Literature
4. Define two literary terms. Expand those definitions with examples from your own reading.
Reading and Study Skills
5. What strategies are available when reading to learn?
Proofreader's Guide
6. What is a semi-colon and when should it be used?
Writers Inc: Meet the Handbook Group 2 Activity Sheet
Use the Writers Inc handbook to answer each question below. If members of your group disagree, try to come to a consensus. Jot down the page number in the handbook which is most helpful for answering each question. Remember that each group member must present at least two of your answers to the class when we reconvene.
Basic Elements of Writing
1. What are relative pronouns and how are they used to combine sentences? Share two examples.
Searching and Researching
2. What is plagiarism, and how do you avoid it?
Forms of Writing
3. What is subject writing? Share examples.
Writing About Literature
4. Explain three ways that a student might personally respond to a piece of literature.
Reading and Study Skills
5. Offer tips for reading a poem.
Proofreader's Guide
6. What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?
Writers Inc: Meet the Handbook Group 3 Activity Sheet
Use the Writers Inc handbook to answer each question below. If members of your group disagree, try to come to a consensus. Jot down the page number in the handbook which is most helpful for answering each question. Remember that each group member must present at least two of your answers to the class when we reconvene.
Basic Elements of Writing
1. What is a comma splice? Share two examples.
Searching and Researching
2. How does using a computer assist in revising a draft? Are there any potential disadvantages?
Forms of Writing
3. What types of fiction writing might a student pursue?
Writing About Literature
4. What topics might help a writer focus when drafting a literary analysis?
Reading and Study Skills
5. What strategies may be used to become actively involved in a cooperative learning group?
Proofreader's Guide
6. When should italics be used in writing?
Writers Inc: Meet the Handbook Group 4 Activity Sheet
Use the Writers Inc handbook to answer each question below. If members of your group disagree, try to come to a consensus. Jot down the page number in the handbook which is most helpful for answering each question. Remember that each group member must present at least two of your answers to the class when we reconvene.
Basic Elements of Writing
1. When should transitions and linking words be used in writing?
Searching and Researching
2. Where might a student go to surf for information?
Forms of Writing
3. What clichés should be avoided in business writing?
Writing About Literature
4. What is the difference between a Shakespearean and a Petrarchan sonnet?
Reading and Study Skills
5. What activities might be used when writing to learn?
Proofreader's Guide
6. What tips can you offer to avoid sexist use of language?
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