Dare to be Yourself

Holly Fairbrother & Claudia Felske

The ConceptThrough literature, reflection, and

collaboration, students will think deeply about the overarching

questions:

Do you dare to be yourself?Do you dare to let others be

themselves?

Student Age/Level

7th & 8th Graders (age 12-15)

Could also work::• IB English B in

Grades 11-12• High School ESL

Students

StargirlFeatured Text

Unit Activities• Literary Circles• Random Acts of Kindness• Journaling / Quadblogging• Vocabulary & Grammar• Informative & Narrative Writing • Animoto Handshake

Project Choice & Criteria1. Relate to “Dare to be Different” Topic2. Inform/Educate/Persuade for positive change3. Use Multimedia to convey theme & purpose4. Be collaboratively planned and created5. Be engaging and appealing6. Promote using multiple modes of

communication

Tools

• Edmodo• Padlet• Blogging Platform or Google Docs• Animoto• Final Project Tools (Guided Choice)

Citizenship & Contribution

• Frontload with:• Digital Citizen awareness• Fair Use & Creative Commons awareness

• Establish clear contribution expectations:• Animoto Handshake to put faces forward• Discuss 90-9-1 Principal• Good communication habits• Knowledge of collaborative tools• Joint planning• Equitable division of labor

• Establish Fair Use and Creative Commons

Evaluation & Celebration

• Evaluation & Promotion:• Tweet out Projects• Post to Class Padlet Board• Comment/Vote on Peer Work

• Celebration / Culminating Activity• Google Hangout

• Showcase top vote getters• Culminating G-Hangout Dance Party

OutcomeLearners will gain a

sense of understanding and tolerance of

differences, be more accepting of others, and operate in the world with a more

conscious approach to those around them

International Standards Alignment

• English National Curriculum Standards• Reading: RAF2, RAF3, RAF6• Writing: WAF2, WAF6, WAF7

• Common Core State Standards• Reading: RL7.1, RL7.2, RL7.6• Writing: W.7.1, W.7.2, W.7.6

• ISTE Standards• 2,3,4,7,8,9

Resources• Project Templates

• Project Design Essentials• Design Principles & Teaching Strategies

• Project Website• Project Google Circle• Final Project Criteria Sheet & Rubric

Project Websitebit.ly/daretobefcp

Project Websitebit.ly/daretobefcp

Project Board bit.ly/finalprojectfcp

Questions to Consider• Are there specific incidents in your school or

community relating to conformity, individuality, tolerance, or prejudice that should be addressed before/ during/ after this unit?

• What local and/or virtual experts can you pull into this project as resources?

• How will this unit fit into your existing curriculum? How will it fit into counseling or behavioral initiatives in your district?