“To (not) give up on words”: Writing the Apache Sense of Self in(to) the Conventions of Standard English Usage and Narrative Writing

Abstract

This is a 7th grade writing unit for boulder standard 7.L.2 (Conventions of Standard English
capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing) with rock standard 7.W.3 (Write
narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique,
relevant descriptive details, and well‐structured event sequences). Both standards serve the grammar and usage requirements in writing that students are expected to achieve
within 3 weeks, or 15 days. The former, 7.L.2 scaffolds 7.W.3, the narrative writing
activities. Conversely, 7.W.3 provides students “low stakes” opportunities for practicing
punctuation with freewriting prompts that directly draw from the Apache culture and real
experiences in their young lives in the reservation. Two learning targets were identified for the three-week duration of the standards covered between weeks 4 and 6 of the first semester. I begin with expectations of Partial Proficiency in Week 4 and Proficiency in
Week 5. This writing unit covers the first 10 of the 15 day challenge administered at the
middle school.