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E is for Egypt

School: High Tech Middle Chula Vista

City/State: San Diego, CA

Grade(s): 6

Format(s): Children's book: Alphabet

Subject(s): Social Studies, Visual Arts

Project Overview

This book was written and illustrated by sixth grade students at High Tech High 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 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. Fifty-five students contributed to this book.

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. See page 57 of the pdf to see multiple drafts of a student's drawing.
  • 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.
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.6.6
  • 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.
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