Introduction
“Honestly, I was not all that interested in school, but there was something almost magnetic about this crazy-sounding place: Zimbabwe.” (Alifirenka & Ganda 3)
As you know from reading the beginning of the memoir, "I Will Always Write Back", 12-year-old Caitlin picks a pen pal from Zimbabwe. Although she usually isn’t excited about school, she is excited about this project. The problem is she knows nothing about this foreign sounding country! And that's where you come in!
Task
Put yourself in Caitlin's shoes! What would you want (and need) to know about the country where your dear pen pal lives?
Your team will be on an adventure to learn about Zimbabwe. Upon completing your adventure in Zimbabwe, you and your teammates will compile all your information into a presentation to share with other teams! Your final presentation may include pictures, maps and a narrative about each topic!
Ready?? Here are the next steps...
Process
Step 1: RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Think about the questions that Caitlin has struggled with so far in the book. What does Caitlin want (and need) to know about Zimbabwe? What do you want to know as the reader? As a team, identify research questions. (Possible research topics: EDUCATION, JOBS, CULTURE, LANGUAGE, RELIGION, GOVERNMENT, FOOD, GEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, PEOPLE, ANIMALS/WILDLIFE). Assign each team member a different research question. (Some students may choose to do more than one.)
Step 2: RESOURCES: Using the resources on the padlet, your team will learn about Zimbabwe. Take notes on the Cornell notes pages provided. Cite your sources.
Step 3: PRESENTATION: After your research is done, come back and discuss what you have learned. Working collaboratively, design a presentation that synthesizes the information you have learned. Each team member is responsible for creating at least one slide. The remaining slides (title, works cited, fun facts, etc.) can be a collaborative effort. Make your slides appealing to the eye by keeping it neat, brief and organized. Use pictures to support your information.
Step 4: SHARE: Plan your presentation. All team members must have a role in the presentation. Practice your presentation with your group members.
Happy researching!
Evaluation
| Expert | Slides demonstrate extensive research using PADLET resources. Slides contain text that answers a solid research question. All text is written clearly with attention to spelling and grammar conventions. Team members can share information beyond the text on the slide. Team members share the responsibility of presenting. Slides are creatively organized. |
| Proficient | Slides demonstrate research using PADLET resources. Slides contain text that answers a research question. All text is written with attention to spelling and grammar conventions. Some team members can share information beyond the text on the slide. Team members share the responsibility of presenting. Slides are organized. |
| Developing | Slides demonstrate some research using PADLET resources. Slides contain some text that answers a research question. Some text is written with attention to spelling and grammar conventions. Some team members can share information beyond the text on the slide. Team members may not share the responsibility of presenting. Some slides are organized. |
| Emerging | Slides demonstrate some research using PADLET resources. Slides may contain some text that answers a research question. Text lacks attention to spelling and grammar conventions. Team members may not share information beyond the text on the slide. Team members may not share the responsibility of presenting. Slides lack organization. |
Conclusion
Congratulations!
You and your teammates have worked diligently to research questions essential to your deeper understanding of the memoir, I Will Always Write Back. You have learned more about Zimbabwe's education, culture, language, government, religions, holidays, and so much more! Your work will help not only you and your team members, but it will benefit the rest of your classmates as you continue to read Caitlin and Martin's amazing dual memoir!
Credits
I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka, Martin Ganda and Liz Welch