• This activity can be used as a way to see student progress before the unit begins. This activity can also be used as a practice activity if not scored.


• The standards-based Teacher Rubric for the pre- and post-assessment is the same. Try this: Score student pre-assessments in one color on the rubric. Use a different color on the same rubric to score the post-assessment later on. A quick glance will show student growth and areas for further support.


• The Student Checklist for the pre- and post-assessment is the same and can be used as a student self-assessment to guide revision or to set future writing goals.

• We suggest teachers make sure each student has a designated location (such as a folder) to store papers between lessons. Some worksheets in this unit will be used across multiple lessons. These worksheets are labeled as VIPs (Very Important Papers).


• We recommend reviewing student story plans either during this lesson or after this lesson to check for school appropriateness. Ideas are suggested in the lesson, but students are encouraged to use their imaginations and come up with their own ideas for a story. Some students may need guidance around what topics are appropriate to include in a story that will be read by classmates.


• This lesson is separated into two parts and can be taught in two different sessions if needed. A natural stopping point is included after students draw a quick sketch of the setting, but before filling in what their character wants in their story plans.


• We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

• Students will need to bring their completed work from the previous lessons to this lesson.


• We recommend reviewing student story plans before this lesson to check for school appropriateness.


• We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

• Students will need to bring their completed work from the previous lessons to this lesson.


• We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

• Students will need to bring their completed work from the previous lessons to this lesson.


• This lesson is separated into two parts and can be taught in two different sessions if needed. A natural stopping point is included after students edit, but before they share their Constellation stories.


• This is a generic editing lesson and can be reused when students are ready to edit any piece of writing.

• This activity can be used as a way to see student progress after the unit ends. This activity can also be used as a practice activity if not scored.


• The standards-based Teacher Rubric for the pre- and post-assessment is the same. Try this: Score student pre-assessments in one color on the rubric. Use a different color on the same rubric to score the post-assessment later on. A quick glance will show student growth and areas for further support.


• The Student Checklist for the pre- and post-assessment is the same and can be used as a student self-assessment to guide revision or to set future writing goals.