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A is for Ancient Egypt

School: High Tech Middle Chula Vista

City/State: San Diego, CA

Grade(s): 6

Format(s): Children's book: Alphabet

Subject(s): English Language Arts, Social Studies, Visual Arts

Project Overview

This book was written and illustrated by sixth grade students at High Tech Middle School in San Diego, California.

As part of a three-month study of Ancient Egypt, students researched topics to feature in this children’s alphabet book. All work went through extensive peer critique, multiple drafts and careful editing.

The classes worked together to conceptualize, critique and coordinate the book, and each page was written and illustrated by a single student or a pair of students. Following the completion of this book, students hosted a presentation of learning during which they explained the process of creating their book, answered questions about Ancient Egypt and displayed multiple revisions and drafts of their writing and illustrations.

The book was published using an online publishing firm, blurb.com, and is available for purchase through that website. 

How This Project Can Be Useful

  • Highlights individual student work within a larger collaborative class project
  • Writing shows in-depth content knowledge and writing skills
  • The work shows the power of critique and revision
  • The final product demonstrates the integration of history, geography, writing and visual art into a single, high-quality representation of their work

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
W.6.2
  • I can write informative/explanatory texts that convey ideas and concepts using relevant information that is carefully selected and organized.
W.6.4
  • I can produce clear and coherent writing that is appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W.6.5
  • With support from peers and adults, I can use a writing process to produce clear and coherent writing.
W.6.9
  • I can use evidence from a variety of grade appropriate texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
L.6.1
  • I can use correct grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
L.6.2
  • I can use correct capitalization, punctuation, and spelling to send a clear message to my reader.
L.6.3
  • I can maintain consistency in style and tone when writing and speaking.
L.6.6
  • I can use resources to build my vocabulary.
WHST.6-8.2
  • EL has not created long-term learning targets for WHST standards.
WHST.6-8.4
  • EL has not created long-term learning targets for WHST standards.
WHST.6-8.5
  • EL has not created long-term learning targets for WHST standards.
WHST.6-8.9
  • EL has not created long-term learning targets for WHST standards.
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