Dear Diary…..

GOAL: To become familiar with the genre' of the DIARY, in hope of encouraging pupils to begin keeping a diary.

TARGET POPULATION: Fourth graders and up.

THE HIGH POINT OF THE PROJECT:  The children's book of dreams from various communities.

THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS:

Part 1: getting to know the genre of the diary.

Part 2: practice and doing: writing a personal diary or blog after reading various texts written by Bat-Chen.

PART 1 - DETAILS AND STAGES

STAGE 1—GETTING TO KNOW THE GENRE OF DIARY, AS PREPARATION FOR CHOOSING A DIARY TO READ (4 LESSONS)

                *presentation of the topic: the diary, discussing various assignments, brainstorming—the word "diary"

*sorting/categorizing the associations, with use of the computer

*sorting/categorizing the diaries in class---exhibiting numerous diaries of various kinds, including blogs.

*completion of the sorting/categorizing in class, including arriving at a definition for the concept "diary" and characteristics of each kind.

STAGE 2 – CHOOSING A DIARY TO READ (2 LESSONS)

*the pupils will receive a list of recommended diaries and blog addresses (see attached)

*the pupils will receive a work sheet which will help them select a diary. The work sheet includes pictures of the opening page of the various diaries

*it is recommended to display a list of the pupils' names along with a place to sign up for a specific diary

*it is recommended to collect data and to prepare an EXCEL graph and to display it in the classroom showing the diary choices and reading

STAGE 3 – EXPOSURE TO THE PROGRAM (2 LESSONS)

*initial exposure to the class

* it is best to allow enough time for free exploration and initial browsing through the program

*refer to Activity Sheets as assignments (they will be helpful to the pupils in preparing their final assignment

STAGE 4 – PREPARING THE FINAL ASSIGNMENT –THE DIARY REPORT

*the Diary Report can be presented in a variety of ways: power point presentation, poster, skit, tv interview, crossword puzzle, scramble, newspaper article, interview with the writer, etc.

*"half-way-through" check and review

*peer feedback, including discussing suggestions as to how to give feedback as well as how to receive.

PART TWO

STAGE 1- ACTIVITIES TO HELP BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE INTERNET SITE: www.batchen.co.il. (see attachment on this topic)

STAGE 2 – Watching the movie about Bat-Chen entitled "My Dream"

STAGE 3 – After the lecture, empty notebooks will be distributed, to be used as a diary. The group will discuss and share ideas what is to be included, possibilities as to what to write on the cover page and the first entry.

STAGE 5-IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR TOPICS TO WRITE ABOUT IN THE DIARIES AND BLOGS:

ME- Who am I; my "business card" with picture, description of hobbies, favorite tv shows, computer games, singers and songs, internet sites

MY DREAM-WHAT I WANT TO DO WHEN I GROW UP- by using Bat-Chen's texts, "What I want to do when I grow up"

REQUESTS FOR THE NEW YEAR- from myself, family members, God, teacher, friends, etc.

FAMILY AND ROOTS – Envisioning and describing family members as metaphors---animals, aspects of nature, etc.  Drawings and pictures may be included. Use of Bat-Chen's text about the family is appropriate.

MY SCHOOL – tracing and describing it's name and significance, history, date of establishment, internet address; what the pupil loves best about the school. Use of relevant texts from Bat-Chen's writings about school, especially in her 7^th grade diary

MY TOWN/COMMUNITY- history, significance of its name, links to relevant sites

MY COUNTRY- "Identification Card" for my country which includes the flag, language, capital city, currency, and including pictures as well as problems facing the country.

 What I wish for my country.

WHO IS MY HERO –

HOLIDAYS- how they are celebrated in my family; pictures

OUTINGS: sharing experiences, pictures

THE REPORT  CARD FINISHING THE SCHOOL YEAR; FAREWELL TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL- before junior high school