Brewer Elementary
Cooks – Jen Weisphal
Learning Objective/Exit Outcomes:
- Students will be able to generate new and unique ideas based off of the details they see in an object.
- Students will be able to write an opinion piece supporting their point of view with reasons.
- Students will support their ideas with facts and details when writing.
- Students will engage as audience members for their peers during the arts strategy, giving attention and focus to the student presenting their idea.
Integration Area/Subject:
ELA & Theatre
State Standards:
ELAGSE4W1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view
with reasons.
- Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer’s purpose.
- Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
- Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition).
- Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.
TA4.RE.1 Engage actively and appropriately as an audience member.
- Participate as an audience.
- Demonstrate appropriate theatre etiquette.
Materials/Playing Space:
A Roll of Tape and/or other objects
Description:
Mrs. Cooks had 5 students at a time come up to the front of the class to play This is Not a Roll of Tape.
PAIR Specialist explained how the arts strategy worked, first practicing the call and response. The person with the object would say “This is Not a Roll of Tape,” and the rest of the class would repeat the phrase back. Then, the person with the roll of tape would say “This is a…” and give a new idea of what the object could be. PAIR Specialist gave an example for the class, “This is a magnifying glass!” PAIR Specialist then used her body to show how the roll of tape would be used as a magnifying glass. Students then took turns generating their own ideas of what the roll of tape could be. After the first round, 5 more students were chosen to come up to play.
Once everyone had a turn, Mrs. Cooks presented the writing prompt that would propel the writing lesson. Students will then write opinion pieces on why they believe the roll of tape is the object they generated when they played This is Not a Roll of Tape. Students would have to describe what the generated idea object looks like in detail, how it is used, and defend their opinion on why the roll of tape is this new object and NOT a roll of tape.
Notes:
Be sure to remind students that there is NO WRONG ANSWER! The students were very attentive and engaged for this arts strategy! With a second round, I think they would generate even more creative ideas.
You can also use any other objects available: This is Not a Highlighter, This is Not a Paper Clip, This is Not a Mason Jar, etc.