Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Descriptive Video: Using Media Technology to Enhance Writing

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

3, 4, 5

Overview

This lesson helps students improve their writing abilities and their attention to details while experiencing a new technology called Descriptive Video. Also known as described programming, Descriptive Video refers to programming with an additional audio track that narrates a film's visual elements. Students watch the opening scene of the standard version of the Disney film The Lion King and write a description of it. They then watch the same opening scene with the descriptions and captions available online at the National Center for Accessible Media. They will write another descriptive summary of this scene. Students share their two writing samples aloud and compare their pre- and post-audio descriptions.

    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 3

    ELA21.3.R3

    Expand background knowledge and build vocabulary through discussion, reading, and writing.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.3.R3

    Vocabulary

    • Background knowledge
    • Vocabulary
    • Discussion

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Relating experiences through discussions, reading, and writing will help build background knowledge and improve vocabulary.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Connect new concepts to prior experiences to increase background knowledge through discussions, reading, and writing.
    • Construct the meaning of words through discussions, reading, and writing.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Background knowledge can increase by relating experiences to new ideas, topics, and words while participating in discussions, reading, and writing.
    • Vocabulary will increase by constructing the meaning of words while participating in discussions, reading, and writing.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 3

    ELA21.3.40

    Use grade-level and domain-appropriate vocabulary in writing.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.3.40

    Vocabulary

    • Grade-level vocabulary
    • Domain-appropriate vocabulary

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Domain-appropriate vocabulary refers to words that are specifically used within a topic of study.
    • Writers use domain-appropriate vocabulary words to clearly express their meaning and enhance details.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Use grade-level and domain-appropriate vocabulary in their writing.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Using grade-level and domain-appropriate vocabulary will enhance their writing and help them clearly express their ideas.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 4

    ELA21.4.R4

    Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.4.R4

    Vocabulary

    • Writing process
    • Plan
    • Draft
    • Revise
    • Edit
    • Publish
    • Genres

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • The writing process steps are to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish.
    • Various genres of writing.

    Skills

    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

    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 (2021) Grade(s): 5

    ELA21.5.R4

    Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.5.R4

    Vocabulary

    • Writing process
    • Plan
    • Draft
    • Revise
    • Edit
    • Publish
    • Genres

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • The writing process steps are to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish.
    • Various genres of writing.

    Skills

    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

    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 (2021) Grade(s): 5

    ELA21.5.41

    Write using grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases accurately, including those that signal contrasting ideas, additional information, and other logical relationships.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.5.41

    Vocabulary

    • General academic words and phrases
    • Domain-specific words and phrases
    • Contrasting ideas
    • Additional information
    • Logical relationships

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Academic vocabulary is language that is more formal than spoken language.
    • Domain-specific vocabulary refers to words that are used specifically in school subject areas, like math, science, and social studies.
    • Academic, domain-specific vocabulary should be used in writing.
    • Certain phrases can indicate that contrasting ideas, additional information, or logical relationships are being presented.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Use academic and domain-specific words and phrases in writing.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • It is important to use academic, domain-specific vocabulary in formal writing.
    • They can use certain words and phrases to indicate they are explaining contrasting ideas, adding further information, or signaling a relationship between concepts.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Lesson/Unit Plan

    Resource Provider

    ReadWriteThink
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
    License
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