Once Upon a Poster
                                                                    By:  Tammy Holwerda

Project at a Glance :

This project is for 7th graders who have finished a multi-part unit on the elements of short stories: character, setting, plot and theme. This is their "capstone" project, done in groups, and displayed creatively on poster board. An Escape Room element has been added to add fun and increase buy-in. Each group was given a story that was unknown to them and was different than the other groups. The entire project ran for 12  40-minute sessions.
       
Driving Question:

What visual creation can we make on poster board to display the four elements of our short story?             

Standards:
Students will work in groups to:

• Identify a theme in their short story and will support it with three pieces of textual evidence.
• Analyze the major characters of their story using the four features of characterization.
• ​Identify the parts of the plot, labeling each major part.
• Find the conflict types and give examples.
• ​​​Name the setting (when/where) of their story.

Team / Culture Building:

• Teams of 4-7 students (depending on class size) will be created by the teacher with the emphasis on equal participation.

• Values Cards will be used to build culture and recognize strengths within the group.​​

Entry Event:

• Using an online spin wheel with story numbers listed, a representative from each group will spin the wheel and find their group's story folder.

Inquiry / Need to Knows:

• Individuals will read their group's short story and highlight words or sections they don't understand. 

• The group will then read the story aloud and then make a master list of confusing words or parts of the story on their "Need to Know" sheet. They will look up words & discuss story meanings together with some teacher input as needed.​​

• Groups will be assigned a hidden lockbox with a 3-digit code to solve.
• Groups gain a number clue each time they complete a part of the story analysis: major characters (4 features of characterization), setting (when & where), conflict types (character vs ____), plot chart with labels & details (inciting action, rising action…)
• Lockbox will contain 2 cryptograms to solve → one with the driving question and one with the next instructions   (oh and a small candy prize).

Incubation:

• A set of coded instructions will tell them to watch a video regarding finding the theme & evidence in their assigned short story. 
• Students will use sticky notes to brainstorm about possible themes for the story.
• Individuals use TALKING CHIPS to share out their thoughts on strongest themes.
• Group uses DOT VOTING to settle on their final theme.
• Group works together to find textual evidence to support their theme.
• Students will use the ANTI-PROBLEM protocol on Jamboard answering the question: "How can we make the most boring & uninteresting poster to demonstrate our group's story?"
  
• Next, students will run a 3-12-3 on Jamboard to brainstorm creative ideas with interesting (possibly 3d) visuals to show what they've learned. Using an agreed upon group sticky note color, all ideas will be valid.
  
• Lastly, students will use a sorting protocol to find common ideas.

Checking in:

• Teacher will circulate the room encouraging equal participation and to ask questions about similarities and differences in their poster ideas. 
  
• Teacher will provide a ONE-POINT RUBRIC to help them identify where they're at and what they still need to accomplish.

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Solution Building:

•  Following the SORTING protocol, group members will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the various ideas. Teacher will encourage them to stay open to every idea at this point.
• Group members will DOT VOTE to narrow down their choices.

Critique and Revision: 

•  Students will look at the top 5-6 dot votes and look at ways to pair and combine many ideas into one great plan.
• A final DOT VOTE will make the choice.
• Each work day will begin with critique questions to answer: How is your design displaying a symbol or theme in your story?What specific tasks do you need to accomplish today to display the four elements of your short story? (make a task list) What will each group member do to accomplish today's goals?

Authentic Audience:

• The audience will be their classmates who read completely different short stories, but who all understand the four elements of a short story.

Final Presentation:

•  Students will give a short synopsis of their story and explain the imagery on their poster.  They will also explain their four elements in their presentation.  Their presentation will include a five minute explanation or demonstration of their work and learning.
• They will be given a clear rubric that includes all that is needed for the presentation.

Click here for teacher's full plan.

​Reflection and Feedback:

•  Group members will use the same rubric that the teacher uses.
• Students will fill out a simple analysis of their work - what they're proud of, what they found especially interesting, where their group worked well together, where they didn't function as well as a group, etc.
• Each student will receive feedback sheets from the other groups during the next class, read them, and celebrate.

Click here for the teacher's Journey through PBL on Padlet . . .

Meet the Educator:

Tammy Holwerda teaches ELA and health at Hudsonville Christian Middle School in Hudsonville, MI.

​  "PBL helps students take ownership over their own learning and motivates them to finish strong."