Introduction
There is an old Chinese Proverb that says an invisible thread connects those destined to meet, despite the time, the place, despite the circumstances. The thread can be tightened or tangled but never broken. - Chinese Proverb
As a class, we are going to read a excerpt from "An Invisible Thread" by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski, we are going to learn how they were destined to meet, and how it forever changed both of their lives.
Do we take for granted the people that we meet on a day-to-day basis, are some of the people that we will randomly meet in the future be in our lives forever? Why do we meet the people that we do? Why are they introduced into our lives? Is there a bigger reason behind our meetings?
Task
Your final task is going to be to write a Nonfiction Narrative about someone that has come into your life unexpectedly, and remained in your life. You will elaborate on the ideas of why you think they were introduced into your life, and what the future with them might hold.
Process
Day 1: Introduction to the Chinese Proverb, class discussion about what students think about the proverb. Listen to/read the excerpt from "An Invisible Thread." Watch the media connection from footage from Maurice's toast, discuss how that deepened their understanding of the connection that the two had. Complete the "Comprehension Check" from the story, discuss the questions and answers together.
Day 2: Students will begin brainstorming about a person in their life that they are choosing to write about. Using the graphic organizer, start plotting out your essay. Organize your outline check with me for the okay to begin your rough draft.
- Where and how did you meet this person, what was going on in that time period that made the meeting special or unique?
- How have they had an impact in your life, what has their main role been for you?
- How do you think they will continue to have an impact in your life?
- Is this person someone that is special enough that they will remain in your life forever?
- What do you think their role will continue to be?
Day 3: Begin/continue writing your rough draft, following your outline, write your rough draft for your essay. Focus on introduction/hook and transitions. Be sure that you are proof reading as you are working to make sure things are flowing and you are using a variety of transitions.
Day 4: Peer edit with a partner. Follow the peer edit guidelines on page 57 in your textbook. After your peer has read through your essay and used the checklist, have your peer read your essay out loud to you so that you can hear any mistakes that may have been missed. Publish your final copy and hand it in on Canvas. Be prepared to present your essay to the class tomorrow.
Day 5: Present your essay to the class. You will be graded on speaking techniques: speaking loud and clearly, and making eye contact with your audience. You will also be graded on your audience behavior while others are presenting. When everyone is finished sharing, we will have a class discussion about the similarities that our stories had.
Evaluation
The project will be evaluated throughout the duration of the lesson.
Teacher will evaluate the discussion during the "Comprehension Check" assignment
Teacher will evaluate the essay outline, the published essay, and their speaking and audience behavior.
Peer will evaluate during the peer edit session.
Conclusion
Do you have a new understanding of why different people are brought into your life? What is the bigger purpose of them, how do they help you, or push you to be your best, or influence you to be a better person? Do you think there is validity in the Chinese Proverb of "The Invisible Thread"?
Will you start to value your relationships more, and put more emphasis on the reasons that people are in your life?
Will you be more alert and aware when you are around a stranger, and there is something drawing you to that person?
Are you going to be more attentive to not take people in life for granted?
Cherish the time that you have with the people in your life
Here are a couple of websites that may extend your knowledge and understanding of "The Invisible Thread"
https://www.passiton.com/inspirational-quotes/7225-an-invisible-red-thread-connects-those-who-are
https://victoriainfinger.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/the-great-chinese-proverb/