Introduction
Mem Fox is a well-known childrens author that has writen more than 40 books for children and adults. In this unit, students are going to learn about life, her books and her contribution to children's literature.
Task
For this unit, you will work in groups of four to learn about Mem Fox. To find interesting facts about this wonderful author, your will work in groups. Your group will be given a number (1-4) and a special task.
After your group is given a number group members will be randomly given one of the following jobs:
Reader: reads information to the group using the link provided.
Discussion Director: gives the group the discussion questions and make sures everyone shares something.
Writes: writes the answers to the discussion questions on the poster paper provided.
Presenter: shows the information learned in the group to the class.
When all the jobs are given to all group members, you may begin the assignment. Have fun!
Process
Group 1:
Directions- as a group, visit Mem Fox offcial website:
http://memfox.com/all-about-mem/too-much-information/
http://memfox.com/gossip-behind-mems-books/possum-magic-illustrated-by-julie-vivas/
The reader will read the information provided on the link. After reading, the discussion director will bring up the discussion questions and make sure eveybody shares something. As the group is discussing, the writer may write the answers to the questions being discussed on the poster paper provided. When all groups are finished, the presenter will share the information your group discussed with the class.
Questions to research and discuss:
- Where was Mem Fox born?
- Is there a book that tells us about where she is from? if yes, which one and why?
- Why was her first book so hard to publish?
Group 2:
Directions- as a group, visit Mem Fox offcial website:
http://memfox.com/all-about-mem/too-much-information/
The reader will read the information provided on the link. After reading, the discussion director will bring up the discussion questions and make sure eveybody shares something. As the group is discussing, the writer may write the answers to the questions being discussed on the poster paper provided. When all groups are finished, the presenter will share the information your group discussed with the class.
Questions to research and discuss:
- Where did Mem fox lived when she was a child?
- Why did she move when she was a child?
- How was her childhood different from yours?
Group 3:
Directions- as a group, visit Mem Fox offcial website:
http://memfox.com/all-about-mem/too-much-information/
The reader will read the information provided on the link. After reading, the discussion director will bring up the discussion questions and make sure eveybody shares something. As the group is discussing, the writer may write the answers to the questions being discussed on the poster paper provided. When all groups are finished, the presenter will share the information your group discussed with the class.
Questions to research and discuss:
- What did Mem Fox write about?
- What experiences/ people did she write about ?
- Name 3 people in her life we can find in the books.
Group 4:
Directions- as a group, visit Mem Fox offcial website:
http://memfox.com/all-about-mem/too-much-information/
The reader will read the information provided on the link. After reading, the discussion director will bring up the discussion questions and make sure eveybody shares something. As the group is discussing, the writer may write the answers to the questions being discussed on the poster paper provided. When all groups are finished, the presenter will share the information your group discussed with the class.
Questions to share and discuss:
- What was Mem Fox job after she became a writer?
- What awards was she given?
- What challenges has she faced?
Evaluation
This is how your work is going to be graded:
| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Working with Others | Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Tries to keep people working well together. | Usually listens to, shares, with, and supports the efforts of others. Does not cause \"waves\" in the group. | Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others, but sometimes is not a good team member. | Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Often is not a good team player. |
| Quality of Work | Provides work of the highest quality. | Provides high quality work. | Provides work that occasionally needs to be checked/redone by other group members to ensure quality. | Provides work that usually needs to be checked/redone by others to ensure quality. |
| Attitude | Always has a positive attitude about the task(s). | Often has a positive attitude about the task(s). | Usually has a positive attitude about the task(s). | Often has a negative attitude about the task(s). |
| Problem-solving | Actively looks for and suggests solutions to problems. | Refines solutions suggested by others. | Does not suggest or refine solutions, but is willing to try out solutions suggested by others. | Does not try to solve problems or help others solve problems. Lets others do the work. |
| Focus on the task | Consistently stays focused on the task and what needs to be done. Very self-directed. | Focuses on the task and what needs to be done most of the time. Other group members can count on this person. | Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep this person on-task. | Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Lets others do the work. |
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed your special task. Now you will learn more information about Mem Fox from other groups as they present.
_27.jpg)