Introduction
Hello class!
Over the course of this webquest, you will be learning about the many types of figurative language. The purpose of this webquest is to allow you to demonstrate your ability to use figurative language in your writing by creating children's books. Why children's books? Good question! Children's books are great places to see figurative language in action! Creating a children's book will allow for you to get creative with the ways you incorporate figurative language. I want you to put all of your creative energy into these Children's books. Try and come up with a story that you would have enjoyed reading as a child. If you have a younger sibling then maybe you could try and create this children's book for them!
You will be working on this children's book individually.
Task
Like I explained in the introduction, this webquest will guide you through the creation of a children's book. Here's what will be required from the children's book:
- It needs to be at least ten pages long.
- Each page needs to feature a different type of figurative language. So, in total, you should use at least ten types of fingurative language.
- You are required to use metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, and onomatopoeia. The remaining five types of figurative language re up to you to decide!
- You must create drawings and illustrations to go along with your text (and bonus points for adding color.)
- On the back of the book, there needs to be a "Glossary" that tells me what types of figurative language you decided to use as well as which page each example of figurative language is found on.
- Your story must have a title.
Here's the steps that you will take for this webquest:
Step 1 - Before you begin creating these children's books, we will have a review over the different types of figurative language.
Step 2 - After we review, I will instruct you on how to brainstorm ideas for your story and give you tools to help you write a great children's book.
Step 3 - Finally, once we have reviewed figurative language, you will begin creating your children's book.
Important! - At the end of steps 1 and 2, you are required to complete a short exit ticket that will be turned in with the finished children's book.
Here's the materials you will need -
- At least five pages of construction paper.
- Colored pens, colored pencils, or crayons.
- A stapler
- Your brain!
Process
Step One: Figurative Language Review
(Don't move to step two until you have finished this portion of the webquest.)
Figurative language is using figures of speech to be more descriptive, persuasive, and impactful in our writing.
In this short video, I will review the five types of figurative language that you are required to include in your children's books:
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlNkH-GrbSs&feature=youtu.be]
Remeber, these five types of figurative language must appear in your Children's book.
Here are a few useful links to help you decide what other types of figurative language you want to include:
http://literarydevices.net/figurative-language/
http://languagearts.mrdonn.org/figurative.html
https://quizlet.com/3962217/figurative-language-definitionsexamplespictures-flash-cards/
Exit ticket for step one: Once you have reviewed the different types of figurative language, go ahead and make a list of at least ten different types with a short defintion of each. You will turn this in along with your finished Children's book.
Step 2:
Now that we have reviewed some examples of figurative language, it's time to begin planning your Children's book.
There are a lot of things you want to consider before you begin writing your children's book. One of the most important things is deciding who your main character will be. Typcially the main character of a Children's book is an animal, but if you can think of something else you would like to use then feel free to be creative.
Next, think about what you want to happen to the main character. Does he face some sort of dilimma? Do you want something funny o happen to him? Decide beforehand what you want to happen.
Here is a useful link for you to explore to help you come up with your plan for your Children's book -
Exit ticket for Step 2: Once you have completed your planning step, write a 4-5 sentence paragraph outlining what the plot of your children's book will be. This will be turned in along with the finished Children's book.
Step 3:
Now you are ready to create your children's book! To begin, take six pages of construction paper (you might want to use different colored paper to make your book more colorful). Stack the papers together and them fold them all hamburger style and then staple the crease of the folded papers at the top and bottom. Now, you should have twelve pages to write on. Remember: Your first page should include the title and the last page should include a glossary that tells me which type of figurative language you used on each page.
Have fun!
Evaluation
The following rubric is what will be used to assess your children's book -
| Grading Criteria: | Incomplete or unsatisfactory (0) |
Below expectations (1-2) |
Meets expectations (3-4) |
Exceeds Expectations (5) |
| Story | The story is incomplete | There is little to no coherence in the story. | The story is coherent and written in a way that can be understood by young children. | The story is written very well. There is a clear plot and te story would be engaging to a young child |
| Figurative Language | There are 5 or fewer correct usages of figurative language | There are at least 6 correct usages of figurative language | There are at least 8 correct usages of figurative language | There are at least 10 correct usages of figurative language |
| Illustrations | There are no illustrations | There are some illustrations or illustrations are not colorful. | Illustrations are colorful and relevant to the story | Illustrations are very well done, creative, and relevant to the story. |
| Supporting material |
The exit tasks were not completed. |
The exit tickets are partially completed. | The exit tasks are mostly completed. | The exit tasks were completed. |
Conclusion
Conclusion:
Now that you have finished your children's book, it's your job to test it out! Find someone to read the book to and see if they enjoy it! This part of the assignment will not be graded, but I highly encourage you to see if children enjoy your book!
Teacher Page
This webquest is created with the intention to be used in a 8th grade ELA classroom, though this could be implemented in any 6th-8th grade ELA classroom. The standards that I cover within this webquest are as follows:
- ELAGSE8W4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- ELAGSE8W5: With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (
- ELAGSE8L5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
The reason I chose a children's book for this project is it can be a fun way to engage the students in using figurative language. A children's book is an easy, low-stress was to allow the students to demonstrate their knowledge of figurative language. This webquest can either be used as an introduction to figurative language or as a review. If this is being used as an introduction to figurative language, I would recommend having the students spend a little more time on Step 1 in order to better grasp the way that each type of figurative language is used.