Embedded Files
Summary
Summary
Mightier Than the Sword: Rebels, Reformers, and Revolutionaries Who Changed the World Through Writing is a nonfiction text that contains numerous biographies of influential figures that have had a profound impact on our world due to their writing abilities. This text provides the background of influential figures ranging from William Shakespeare to Charles Darwin, while also encompassing other important work of sportswriters, activists, and novelists. Through the informative biographies of each person, readers can take a dive into different time periods and learn about historical documents and how they can create their own pieces of writing like these historical figures did.
Keywords/phrases: Writing, History, Change, Courage, Justice
Suggested Delivery: Independent read
Key Vocabulary
Theologian: A person who engages or is an expert in theology, the study of God
Edict: An official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority
Naturalist: An expert or student of natural history
Ardor: Enthusiasm or passion
Gentry: People of good social status
Anthropologist: A person who studies the origin, development, and behaviors of humans
Abolitionist: A person who supports the ending of slavery
Activist: A person who campaigns to bring about political or social change
Orator: A public speaker that is skilled
Revolutionary: A person engaged in or promoting a political revolution
Totalitarianism: A system of government that is centralized and dictatorial, that permits no individual freedom
Socialism: A theory that believes the production, distribution, and exchange of everything should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole
Communism: A theory that believes all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs
Marine biologist: A scientist who studies life in the sea, such as marine organisms and their behaviors and interactions with the environment
Environmentalist: A person who is concerned with or advocates for the protection of the environment
Voracious: Having a very eager approach to an activity
Reading Strategies
Before
Before
Students will read the two-page introduction before reading the nonfiction text to give them a sense of what this text will be about. After students read this short introduction, they can write down a few ideas that have about why writing is important.
During
During
While students are reading this nonfiction text, they will come across many influential figures that they know and will also see many influential figures that they have never heard of before. While students are reading, students should keep track of any new influential figures they learn about by putting a post-it next to their name and writing one thing that they will remember this person being known for or how they have impacted the world.
After
After
Students will pick one influential figure that they are interested in learning more about and will use the website, loc.gov, to gather further information about them or find pieces of their writing. Having students conduct their own research will cause students to establish deeper connections with the content and will make them more likely to remember who they researched and why they are important.
Writing Activity
Reading Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3 – Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
Writing Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.4 – Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Activity: Students will go back and look through all of the “Write Now” sections in the nonfiction text and choose two of them to complete. Depending on the options the students chose they might have to include writing, drawing, filming, etc. but each option must be coherent and appropriate for the task. Students may also refer to the “Write to Write, Write to Revise, and Write to Advise” sections in the back of the text as a guide during their writing process.
Resources
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse