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The Mysteries of Harris Burdick: Using Illustrations to Guide Writing

Classroom Resource Information

Title:

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick: Using Illustrations to Guide Writing

URL:

http://readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/mysteries-harris-burdick-using-30606.html

Content Source:

ReadWriteThink

Type:

Lesson/Unit Plan

Overview:

Mysteries are a great way to hook students into writing about fictional happenings. In this lesson, students engage themselves in The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by examining the illustrations in the book and choosing one for which to create a Mystery Cube and then a creative writing piece. Finally, students present their mysteries to the class and allow students to guess to which illustration their mystery corresponds.

Content Standard(s):

English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 5	R4. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R4. Writing process Plan Draft Revise Edit Publish Genres Knowledge: R4. Students know: The writing process steps are to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish. Various genres of writing. Skills: R4. Students are able to: Plan writings in various genres. Draft writings in various genres. Revise writings in various genres. Edit writings in various genres. Publish writings in various genres. Understanding: R4. Students understand that: The writing process is a set of steps that make writing easier. There are different categories, or genres, of writing that can be used for different purposes.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 5	34. Write personal or fictional narratives incorporating literary elements (characters, plot, setting, conflict), dialogue, strong voice, and clear event sequences. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 34. Personal narratives Fictional narratives Literary elements Characters Plot Setting Conflict Dialogue Voice Event sequences Knowledge: 34. Students know: A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story. A personal narrative tells about an event that was personally experienced by the author, while a fictional narrative tells a made-up story. A narrative story describes a sequence of plot events in a logical order (beginning, middle, end). Narrative writing includes text elements, like characters, setting, and conflict. Dialogue is a conversation between two or more characters in a text. Skills: 34. Students are able to: Write a personal narrative that recalls a personal experience or a fictional narrative with a made-up story. Write a narrative with a logical sequence of plot events. Incorporate literary elements into their narrative writing, like characters, setting, and conflict. Include dialogue in narrative writing. Use a strong voice in writing by developing a personal writing style. Understanding: 34. Students understand that: Narrative writing includes predictable elements, like a logical sequence of events and characters, setting, and conflict. Incorporating dialogue between the characters can add details to their narrative writing. Narrative writing can be used to tell about something that happened to them personally or it can tell a story they made up.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 6	R4. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R4. Writing process Plan Draft Revise Edit Publish Genres Knowledge: R4. Students know: The writing process steps are to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish. Various genres of writing. Skills: R4. Students are able to: Plan writings in various genres. Draft writings in various genres. Revise writings in various genres. Edit writings in various genres. Publish writings in various genres. Understanding: R4. Students understand that: The writing process is a set of steps that make writing easier. There are different categories, or genres, of writing that can be used for different purposes.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 6	7. Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writing in which the development, organization, style, and tone are relevant to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language. a. Write narratives incorporating key literary elements, including characters, plot, setting, point of view, resolution of a conflict, dialogue, and sensory details. b. Write informative or explanatory texts with an organized structure and a formal style, incorporating a focused point of view, a clear purpose, credible evidence, and technical word meanings. c. Write an argument to convince the reader to take an action or adopt a position, stating a claim and supporting the claim with relevant, well-organized evidence from credible sources. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 7. Narrative writing Argument writing Informative/explanatory writing Writing development Writing organization Style Tone Task Purpose Audience Command of language 7a. Narratives Literary elements Characters Plot Setting Point of view Conflict resolution Dialogue Sensory details 7b. Informative text Explanatory text Organized structure Formal style Point of view Clear purpose Credible evidence Technical word meaning 7c. Argument Claim Evidence Credible source Knowledge: 7. Students know: A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story. Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple research sources. The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position. The development, organization, style, and tone of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience. Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language. 7a. A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story. Narrative writing includes text elements, like characters, setting, point of view, conflict, and resolution. The plot is a series of events in a narrative text. Dialogue is a conversation between two or more characters in a text. Sensory details use descriptions of the five senses. 7b. Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple credible research sources. Informative or explanatory text begins by clearly focusing on the topic, providing credible evidence, and ends with a conclusion. Informative or explanatory writing should include academic, content-specific technical word meanings. 7c. The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position. Argumentative writing includes introducing the topic by stating an argumentative claim, relevant evidence to support the claim, and a concluding statement. Evidence to support the argument must be collected from various credible sources. Skills: 7. Students are able to: Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writings. Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing. Demonstrate command of the written language. 7a. Write a narrative with a logical sequence of plot events. Incorporate literary elements into their narrative writing, like characters, setting, point of view, conflict, and resolution. Include dialogue and sensory details in narrative writing. 7b. Gather credible information from multiple sources. Write an informative or explanatory text with an organized structure and formal style that includes a focused point of view, clear purpose, credible evidence, and technical vocabulary words. 7c. Write an argument to convince a reader to take action or adopt a position. Include a claim, relevant evidence, and a conclusion in argumentative writing. Gather evidence from credible sources to support the claim. Understanding: 7. Students understand that: There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes. The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing. Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language. 7a. Narrative writing includes predictable elements, like a logical sequence of events and characters, setting, point of view, conflict, and resolution. Incorporating dialogue between the characters and sensory details can make their narrative writing more engaging. 7b. Informative or explanatory writing follows a predictable text structure that includes a focused point of view, credible evidence, and ends with a conclusion. They must gather their facts about the topic from multiple credible research sources. Writers elaborate details included in the text by using formal academic, content-specific technical words. 7c. To persuade a reader to take action or adopt an opinion, they must present relevant, well-organized evidence from credible sources.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 7	R4. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R4. Writing process Plan Draft Revise Edit Publish Genres Knowledge: R4. Students know: The writing process steps are to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish. Various genres of writing. Skills: R4. Students are able to: Plan writings in various genres. Draft writings in various genres. Revise writings in various genres. Edit writings in various genres. Publish writings in various genres. Understanding: R4. Students understand that: The writing process is a set of steps that make writing easier. There are different categories, or genres, of writing that can be used for different purposes.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 7	7. Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writing in which the development, organization, style, and tone are relevant to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language. a. Write narratives to convey a series of events incorporating key literary elements, establishing a clear purpose, using narrative techniques (dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection), and sequencing events coherently (chronological and/or flashback). b. Write informative or explanatory texts with an organized structure and a formal style to examine ideas or processes effectively while developing the topic and utilizing appropriate transitions, precise vocabulary, and credible information or data when relevant. c. Write an argument to defend a position by introducing and supporting claim(s), acknowledging alternate or opposing claims, and presenting reasons and relevant text evidence from accurate and credible sources. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 7. Narrative writing Argument writing Informative/explanatory writing Writing development Writing organization Style Tone Task Purpose Audience Command of language 7a. Narratives Series of events Literary elements Purpose Narrative techniques Dialogue Pacing Description Reflection Sequencing Chronological Flashback 7b. Informative/explanatory text Organized structure Formal style Transitions Precise vocabulary Credible information/data 7c. Argument Defend a position Claim Alternate/opposing claim Relevant evidence Accurate sources Credible sources Knowledge: 7. Students know: A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story. The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position. Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple research sources. The development, organization, style, and tone of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience. Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language. 7a. A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story. Narrative writing includes literary elements, like characters, setting, point of view, conflict, and resolution, and narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection. The plot is a series of events in a narrative text. Events in narrative writing can be sequenced chronologically or include flashbacks to a previous time frame. 7b. Informative or explanatory text is writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple credible research sources. Informative or explanatory text has organized structure, and usually begins by clearly focusing on the topic, providing credible evidence, and ends with a conclusion. Informative or explanatory writing should include academic, content-specific technical word meanings. Words that indicate transitions. 7c. The purpose of argumentative writing is to defend an opinion. Argumentative writing includes introducing the topic by stating an argumentative claim, relevant evidence to support the claim, acknowledging opposing claims, and a concluding statement. Evidence to support the argument must be collected from various accurate and credible sources. Skills: 7. Students are able to: Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writings. Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing. Demonstrate command of the written language. 7a. Write a narrative with a coherent sequence of plot events and a clear purpose. Incorporate literary elements into their narrative writing, like characters, setting, point of view, conflict, and resolution. Incorporate narrative techniques in their narrative writing, including dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection. 7b. Gather credible information and data from multiple sources. Write an informative or explanatory text with an organized structure and formal style that develops the topic and utilizes appropriate transitions, credible information or data, and technical vocabulary words. 7c. Write an argument to defend a position. Include a claim and relevant evidence in argumentative writing. Acknowledge alternate or opposing claims in argumentative writing. Gather evidence from accurate and credible sources to support the claim. Understanding: 7. Students understand that: There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes. The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing. Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language. 7a. Narrative writing includes predictable elements, like a logical sequence of events and characters, setting, point of view, conflict, and resolution. Literary techniques are tools that can be used to create a piece of narrative writing. Literary elements and techniques in narrative writing contribute to the overall meaning and purpose of the text. 7b. Informative or explanatory writing follows a predictable, organized text structure that utilizes appropriate transition words and precise vocabulary. They must gather their information and data about the topic from multiple credible research sources. Using credible information/data can support a writer's ideas and claims. Writers elaborate details included in the text by using formal academic, content-specific technical words. 7c. To effectively defend a position, they must present relevant, well-organized evidence from accurate and credible sources. An argument can be more effective if a writer acknowledges opposing viewpoints.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 8	R4. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R4. Writing process Plan Draft Revise Edit Publish Genres Knowledge: R4. Students know: The writing process steps are to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish. Various genres of writing. Skills: R4. Students are able to: Plan writings in various genres. Draft writings in various genres. Revise writings in various genres. Edit writings in various genres. Publish writings in various genres. Understanding: R4. Students understand that: The writing process is a set of steps that make writing easier. There are different categories, or genres, of writing that can be used for different purposes.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 8	8. Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writing in which the development, organization, style, and tone are relevant to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language. a. Write narratives that establish a clear purpose, use narrative techniques, and sequence events coherently. Examples: narratives - memoir, short story, personal narrative; techniques - dialogue, pacing, description, reflection; sequencing - chronological, reverse chronological, flashback b. Write informative or explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas or processes effectively, by developing the topic with relevant information or data from credible sources and using appropriate transitions and precise vocabulary. c. Write an argument to defend a position by introducing and supporting a claim, distinguishing the claim from opposing claims, presenting counterclaims and reasons, and citing accurate, relevant textual evidence from credible sources. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 8. Narrative writing Argument writing Informative/explanatory writing Writing development Writing organization Style Tone Task Purpose Audience Command of language 8a. Narratives Clear purpose Narrative techniques Sequence 8b. Informative text Explanatory text Credible sources Transitions Precise vocabulary 8c. Argument Defend a position Claim Opposing claim Counterclaims Relevant evidence Accurate sources Credible sources Knowledge: 8. Students know: A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story. The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position. Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple research sources. The development, organization, style, and tone of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience. Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language. 8a. A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story, such as a memoir, a short story, or a personal narrative. Narrative writing includes techniques, like dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection. Events in narrative writing should be sequenced in a coherent manner, such as chronological, reverse chronological, or the inclusion of flashbacks. 8b. Informative or explanatory text is writing that examines and explains complex ideas or processes, utilizing information from multiple credible research sources. Informative or explanatory text has an organized structure, and usually begins by clearly focusing on the topic, providing credible evidence, and ends with a conclusion. Informative or explanatory writing should include academic, content-specific technical word meanings. Words that indicate transitions. 8c. The purpose of argumentative writing is to defend an opinion. Argumentative writing includes introducing the topic by stating an argumentative claim, relevant evidence to support the claim, distinguishing the claim from opposing claims, acknowledging counterclaims, and a concluding statement. Evidence to support the argument must be collected from various accurate and credible sources. Skills: 8. Students are able to: Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writings. Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing. Demonstrate command of the written language. 8a. Write a narrative with a coherent sequence of plot events and a clear purpose. Incorporate narrative techniques in their narrative writing, including dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection. 8b. Gather credible information and data from multiple sources. Write an informative or explanatory text with an organized structure and formal style that develops the topic and utilizes appropriate transitions, credible information or data, and technical vocabulary words. 8c. Write an argument to defend a position. Gather evidence from accurate and credible sources to support the claim. Include a claim and relevant evidence in argumentative writing. Acknowledge alternate or opposing claims in argumentative writing. Present counterclaims and supporting reasons in argumentative writing. Understanding: 8. Students understand that: There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes. The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing. Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language. 8a. Narrative writing can take many forms, but there should be a coherent sequence of events. Literary techniques are tools that can be used to create a piece of narrative writing. Literary techniques in narrative writing contribute to the overall meaning and purpose of the text. 8b. Informative or explanatory writing follows a predictable, organized text structure that utilizes appropriate transition words and precise vocabulary. They must gather their information and data about the topic from multiple credible research sources. Using credible information/data can support a writer's ideas and claims. Writers elaborate on details included in the text by using formal academic, content-specific technical words. 8c. To effectively defend a position, they must present relevant, well-organized evidence from accurate and credible sources. An argument can be more effective if a writer acknowledges opposing viewpoints and counterclaims.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 9	R5. Utilize a writing process which includes planning, revising, editing/peer-editing, and rewriting to create a focused, organized, and coherent piece of writing for a specific purpose and audience. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R5. Writing process Plan Revise Edit Peer-edit Rewrite Focused Organized Coherent Purpose Audience Knowledge: R5. Students know: The writing process steps are to plan, revise, edit, and rewrite. Editing can be completed by the writer or by a peer. Peer-editing skills. Completed writing projects should be focused, organized, and coherent, and written for a specific purpose and intended audience. Skills: R5. Students are able to: Plan, revise, edit, and rewrite to create a focused, organized, and coherent piece of writing. Compose a writing piece for a specific purpose and intended audience. Engage in the peer-editing process. Understanding: R5. Students understand that: Writing is a process that requires multiple drafts, edits, and versions.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 9	9. Compose both short and extended narrative, informative/explanatory, and argumentative writings that are clear and coherent, use an appropriate command of language, and demonstrate development, organization, style, and tone that are relevant to task, purpose, and audience. Examples: paragraphs, constructed responses, essays a. Write a memoir, narrative essay, or personal or fictional narrative to convey a series of events, establishing a clear purpose and using narrative techniques. Examples: dialogue, pacing, description, reflection b. Write explanations and expositions that incorporate evidence, using transitions and techniques that objectively introduce and develop topics. Examples: relevant and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations c. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning, relevant and sufficient evidence, transitions, and a concluding statement or section that follows from the information presented. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 9. Short writings Extended writings Narrative writing Argumentative writing Informative/explanatory writing Writing development Writing organization Style Tone Task Purpose Audience Command of language 9a. Memoir Narrative essay Personal narrative Fictional narrative Narrative techniques 9b. Explanations Expositions Evidence Transitions Techniques 9c. Arguments Claims Substantive topics or texts Valid Relevant Sufficient Reasoning Evidence Transitions Concluding statement or section Knowledge: 9. Students know: Writing pieces can be short, such as a paragraph, or extended, such as constructed responses and essays. A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story. The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position. Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple research sources. The development, organization, style, and tone of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience. Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language. 9a. A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story, such as a memoir, essay, personal narrative, or fictional narrative. Narrative writing includes techniques, like dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection. Events in narrative writing should be sequenced in a coherent manner. 9b. Explanatory and expository text is writing that examines and explains complex ideas or processes, utilizing information from multiple credible research sources. Explanatory and expository writing has an organized structure, and usually begins by clearly focusing on the topic, incorporating credible evidence, and ends with a conclusion. Explanatory and expository writing should utilize techniques that objectively introduce and develop topics. Words that indicate transitions. 9c. The purpose of argumentative writing is to defend an opinion or state a claim. Argumentative writing includes introducing the topic by stating an argumentative claim, valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence to support the claim, and a concluding statement that coherently follows the presented information. Words that indicate transitions. Skills: 9. Students are able to: Compose short and extended clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writings. Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing. Demonstrate command of the written language. 9a. Write a narrative with a coherent sequence of plot events and a clear purpose. Incorporate narrative techniques in their narrative writing, including dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection. 9b. Gather credible information and data from multiple sources. Write an explanatory and expository text with an organized structure and formal style that objectively develops the topic and utilizes appropriate transitions and credible evidence. 9c. Write an argument to support claims in an analysis of topics or texts that utilizes appropriate transitions. Gather relevant and sufficient evidence from accurate and credible sources to support the claim. Use valid reasoning to support a claim. Include a concluding statement or section that logically follows the presented information. Understanding: 9. Students understand that: There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes. The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing. Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language. 9a. Narrative writing can take many forms, but there should be a coherent sequence of events. Literary techniques are tools that can be used to create a piece of narrative writing. Literary techniques in narrative writing contribute to the overall meaning and purpose of the text. 9b. Explanatory and expository writing should be free from opinions and supported with evidence. Explanatory and expository writing follows a predictable, organized text structure that utilizes appropriate transition words. They must gather their information and data about the topic from multiple credible research sources. 9c. To effectively defend a position or make a claim, they must present relevant, sufficient evidence from accurate and credible sources. An argument can be more effective if the writer includes a concluding statement that logically follows the information presented previously.

Tags:

Chris Van Allsburg, creative writing, Cube Creator Interactive, illustrations, Mysteries, Mystery Cube, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

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ReadWriteThink is a free resource with links to additional resources including videos, interactives, and instructional materials.

An updated link to the Mystery Cube Interactive is available here.

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Cassie Raulston

ALEX Classroom Resource

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick: Using Illustrations to Guide Writing