How can an unfamiliar place help you learn something about yourself? Use a narrative writing prompt as you culminate your unit on Jane Yolen's The Devil's Arithmetic. Kids consider the ways that, like the main character from the novel, they have found themselves in a place that was different from what they were used to.

Concepts

the devil's arithmetic, personal narrative writing

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Have kids collect ideas and brainstorm as they read the novel, making it easier for them to compile an essay at the end of their reading
• Use the narrative project as your year-end writing assessment

Classroom Considerations

• Provides a lot of space for brainstorming, including four blank pages for a rough draft; consider having kids use their own paper for writing to save your paper and copying
• Each page has a colorful background that could affect printing

Pros

• Provides all the parts necessary for the project, including a peer-editing rubric and brainstorming graphic organizers

Cons

• None

Common Core

W.5.3.a W.6.3.a W.7.3.a W.8.3.a