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Grades level iconsGrades 3–5
Session time icon4 Sessions, 45 Minutes Each
Genre information iconNarrative
Resource type iconLessons

All About Me Zines

by Emily Lam, 826 Valencia
In this lesson, students will go through the steps in the writing process (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing) to produce a zine that highlights what makes them special.
What Your Students Will Learn

Your students will learn how to practice the writing process by creating a zine all about them.

Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.4 Common Core Standards Icon
With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.5 Common Core Standards Icon
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 3 here.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.4 Common Core Standards Icon
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.4 Common Core Standards Icon
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5 Common Core Standards Icon
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
What You Will Do
Session 1
Timer
45 Minutes
Discovering Zines and Brainstorming
by Emily Lam, 826 Valencia
Session 2
Timer
45 Minutes
Planning and Design Elements
by Emily Lam, 826 Valencia
Session 3
Timer
45 Minutes
Revising and Editing
by Emily Lam, 826 Valencia
Session 4
Timer
45 Minutes
Publishing
by Emily Lam, 826 Valencia
Introduction :

In this lesson, students will learn what a zine is and how to create one, producing an All About Me zine that highlights their interests, preferences, accomplishments, experiences, and role models so others can get to know them. This lesson could work well during the first month of school as an introduction to the steps in the writing process as well as a way to build community in the classroom. For additional ideas about how to build community, check out our Educator Tool: Building Community Through Writing.

Session 1: Discovering Zines and Brainstorming

In this session you will introduce zines to your students, and they will brainstorm ideas to include in their All About Me zine.

You Will Need
    • Page 1 or 11: What Makes You Special?
      • 1 copy per student
    • Page 2: But wait . . . there’s more!
      • 1 copy per student
  • Optional
    • Technology/projector to share website  and/or video  in STEP 1
    • Chart paper
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