Writing Unit : Sirena: A Mermaid Legend from Guam

Book Title: Sirena: A Mermaid Legend From Guam

Book Author:Tanya Chargualaf Taimanglo
Writing Genre: Narrative
Unit Authors : Matt, Abbey, Jamie
Date: 4/22/18

Unit Introduction

This unit will focus on narrative writing through the book Sirena: A Mermaid Legend from
Guam. This book was chosen specifically for it’s cultural references and student connections
to the islands. The focus of this unit will be through the narrative writing genre. The purpose
of a narrative is to tell a story of an experience/sequence of events while holding the
reader’s interest. Students will explore multiple different perspectives and analyze character
development through writing their own narrative based on Sirena’s experiences.

Writing Project Prompt:

Narrative Prompt Choice 1- Even though Sirena’s story on land has ended, her story under
the sea is just beginning. Compare and contrast the possible differences between her old
lifestyle on land and her new lifestyle in the sea.

Narrative Prompt Choice 2- In narrative form, create the next chapter in Sirena’s story,
discussing her new life under the sea, specifically reflecting on the theme of how Sirena
symbolizes the blissful innocence of youth. Is Sirena still carefree and blissful, or has this
experience changed her outlook? Did she learn the importance of choosing your words
carefully or is she happy about this new change in her life?
Unit Learning Objectives

● Students will be able to infer previous interactions between Mama, Sirena and the
godmother
● Students will be able to describe the relationship between Sirena, Mama and the
godmother
● Students will be able to write a five paragraph narrative essay

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3

Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using

effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event
sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1

Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as
well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2

Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through

particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal
opinions or judgments.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3

Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of

episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves
toward a resolution.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3.A

Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a

narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally
and logically.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3.B
Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to
develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3.C

Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence

and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3.D

Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory
language to convey experiences and events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3.E

Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a
specific word choice on meaning and tone
Book Summary (Main Character(s) Book Themes (List 2-4)
Plot/Conflict) ● Contemplating consequences before
actions.
Characters: Sirena (main character) ● Leaving home
Sirena’s Mama ● Mother/Daughter relationship
Sirena’s God Mother ● Porquoi tales

Plot/Conflict:
Sirena, a young girl, loves and is constantly
distracted by the ocean. One day, Mama
becomes extremely angry and wishes her
daughter to become a fish. Sirena’s God Cultural Topics (List 2-4)
Mother comes to the rescue and prays that ● Life in the islands
Sirena’s heart (which is like her God ● Respect for Mother
Mother’s) will remain as it is, thus turning
her into a mermaid. Sirena must leave as
the ocean is now her home.

Additional Supporting Resources (Culture, Spelling/Vocabulary List from Book (10-15

Theme, or Genre) (links to 4-6) words)
Advanced Vocabulary
1. Porquoi Tale Examples (How the Tiger posses
Got His Stripes) generation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf7ascNG cautious
bcM overwhelm
rigid
2. Puntan Dos Amantes- A Chamorros respond
legend about forbidden love. fade
formal
3. Honoring Parents (looking at how rebellious
children from different cultures honor their porpoise
parents, compare and contrast similarities befallen
and differences) desperately

4. Historical knowledge of the La Ciudad de Modified Vocabulary

Hagåtña during the Spanish colonial era. chores
horizon
cooed
crooned
neglected

Unit Schedule (For all students, Tiers 1,2,3)
Writing Prompt:
Writing Process Stage
Introduce Writing Project
Prewriting (Collecting Ideas)
countercurse
azure
yearned
myth
ill (noun)
Number Writing Activity(s) & Strategies / (cite Morris
Class “RTI for Writing Process” Text Page #, be
Sessions specific )
1 This unit will focus on narrative writing through
the book Sirena: A Mermaid Legend from
Guam. This book was chosen specifically for
it’s cultural references and student connections
to the islands. The focus of this unit will be
through the narrative writing genre. The
purpose of a narrative is to tell a story of an
experience/sequence of events while holding
the reader’s interest. Students will explore
multiple different perspectives and analyze
character development through writing their
own narrative based on Sirena’s experiences.
1 Prewriting: Listing (pg. 98)
Instructions- Using your knowledge of Sirena,
make a list of what she must be thinking of her
new life under the sea.
Example List: Mermaid Thoughts
-Will I miss my legs?
- Are there others like me out here in the
ocean?
-What kinds of things can I eat under the sea?
-Will I have to worry about sharks?
-What will I do about making friends?
-Will I ever be able to see my family again?
-Does it get cold at night in the ocean?
-Can I breathe underwater ALL the time or do I
need to come up for air?
 -What are some positive things about being a
mermaid?
-What are some negative things about being a
mermaid?

Planning (Organizing ideas and 1 Planning: Quick Draw Pg. 107

narrowing focus) Instructions: Draw elements from the story that
will help you respond to the prompt.

This strategy focuses on the intent is to help

students recall details. This strategy is not text
based (in representation). Sometimes students
need a different avenue than simply more text
when responding to the prompt. The quick draw
will give the teacher an idea whether or not the
student is able to pick out important pieces of the
story as it relates to the prompt.

Drafting (Writing, workshopping 2 Students will double space while writing, so they
with peers and/or conferencing) can revise and edit more effectively. They will
choose one of the writing prompts to answer.
Freeze and Question: Morris page 113

Revising (Content changes) 1 Peer revision - Revision changes to look for:

organization, word choice, add details, cutting
info, rewrite part,

Editing (Proofing for publishing)
Publishing
Spelling Mini-Lesson/ practice
Synonym word list will be provided for students
to use for word choice.
Personal Narrative Anchor Chart
Keeps students on task
Gives guidelines to narrative writing
Has a beginning, middle and end
Sets clear goals for students
Supports the editing and revising process in
writing
Allows students to really connect with the
character they are writing their personal
narrative about
1 Students will use a checklist to edit their writing.
Checklist will include: indent each paragraph,
sentences start with a capital letter, capital
letter for proper nouns, punctuation at the end
of each sentence, run-on sentences, spelling
(including homophones)
1 Students will print out a copy of their final draft.
The teacher will laminate and make it a spiral
bound book for each student.
2 Strategy: The Stapleless Book
This strategy supports repeated reading
practice because it allows the students to
encounter the vocabulary/spelling words more
than once. The Stapleless Book can be
modified and adapted. It has a planning sheet
 for the pages you want to add in the book, and
then has students use the app to input their
vocabulary words before printing and folding
the book. This is beneficial for the students
because they are reviewing the words chosen
for their own book multiple times in a variety of
settings, creating more exposure to the spelling
words.

Differentiation

Content Materials Product

RTI Tier 3 Students varied project prompt, synonym word list for extended time, allow
advanced or modified word choice, checklists spell check software
spelling lists, repeated for self editing, checklist
reading, prewriting by for peer revision
listing (questions given)

Assessment

Using the knowledge and resources from their prior writing prompt, students will produce a
five paragraph narrative essay (intro., body, conclusion) creating an alternate ending to the
story.

Possible Assessment Prompt:

“Now that you have explored Sirena’s life after becoming a mermaid permanently, you will
now have the opportunity to write an alternate ending to the story. It MUST be different from
the original ending. Maybe Sirena only transformed into a mermaid on nights with a full
moon! Or perhaps she is only transformed 50% of her time. Or maybe only when she gets
wet! Be creative and use your newly found background knowledge to come up with
something interesting!” (As a side note...the last suggestion comes from the 1984 movie
SPLASH with Tom Hanks that might be interesting in incorporate into class. It does have a
PG rating though).
Prewriting: Listing (pg. 98)
Instructions- Using your knowledge of Sirena, make a list of what she must be thinking of her
new life under the sea.
Example List: Mermaid Thoughts
-Will I miss my legs?
- Are there others like me out here in the ocean?
-What kinds of things can I eat under the sea?
-Will I have to worry about sharks?
-What will I do about making friends?
-Will I ever be able to see my family again?
-Does it get cold at night in the ocean?
-Can I breathe underwater ALL the time or do I need to come up for air?
-What are some positive things about being a mermaid?
-What are some negative things about being a mermaid?
-
This strategy focuses on brainstorming techniques. I chose this listing activity to help encourage
creativity but also give students possible topics to write about for their narrative writing prompt.
The students will need to focus on the theme, “choose your words carefully.” By placing
themselves in Sirena’s shoes…well… fins, they will be able to reflect on the outcome of her
ability to not follow her mother’s directions.

Planning Activity: Quick Draw (pg. 107)

Instructions: Draw elements from the story that will help you respond to the prompt.

This strategy focuses on the intent is to help students recall details. This strategy is not text based (in
representation). Sometimes students need a different avenue than simply more text when responding to
the prompt. The quick draw will give the teacher an idea whether or not the student is able to pick out
important pieces of the story as it relates to the prompt.

Drafting:
Narrative Prompt Choice 2- In narrative form, create the next chapter in Sirena’s story,
discussing her new life under the sea, specifically reflecting on the theme of how Sirena
symbolizes the blissful innocence of youth. Is Sirena still carefree and blissful, or has this
experience changed her outlook? Did she learn the importance of choosing your words
carefully or is she happy about this new change in her life?

First draft:
 I feel my lungs expanding as I try to hold my breath for as long as possible. Struggling, I

sink deeper and deeper into the crystal clear blue water. To my surprise, the moment I let out

my breath, the realization hits me that I can breathe underneath the water. I shout out “Mama,

look at me!” only to turn around under the water and be faced with complete silence. Oh. From

this point forward, I knew my life was going to change. I stopped to think about all of my favorite

things on land—my mother, my godmother, skipping rocks with my friends. At first these

thoughts saddened me, but as I started to think about my new life under the sea, my excitement

began to bubble up. I can make new friends! My dream has finally come true! All my life I’ve

wanted to spend each day in the ocean and now I don’t ever have to leave the water. No more

chores! No more legs! Only endless days lay ahead of me, swimming in the water without

anyone stopping me. Mama’s words were meant to be a punishment, but here I am, in the

ocean splashing around. This is what I have always wanted. I admired and twirled my new

mermaid tail, ready to set off on my next adventure.