Webquery

This I Believe...

A WebQuery for 6th Grade Designed by
Mr. Bryan Hogue & Ms. Kimberly Weatherford
Hogueb@cwu.edu

---

Introduction

Everyone has different beliefs that they follow.  Our experiences shape us into those beliefs and values.  The purpose of this assignment is for you to determine your own beliefs. 

"For some, taking a risk may help people achieve self-confidence and goals may be a great choice. Like me, choosing to take a risk was a great choice. I believe the key to success is taking a risk and going with your gut feeling. Even when mistakes occur you must take those mistakes and learn from them. We take challenges every day without noticing them, but you will know if you overcame those challenges at the end of your successful day."

     -By Chase - Saint Louis, Missouri

"What if everyone in the world was exactly alike? What if everyone talked the same, acted the same, listened to the same music, and watched the same T.V. programs? The world would be extremely dull! I believe it’s important to accept people for who they are. Differences are important and they should be respected."

     -By Joshua Yuchasz age 14

What is a strong belief you have?  Do you remember what experiences led you to this belief?

Fir this assignment, you will write your own "This-I-Believe" paper.  Choose something that you are passionate about.  A good paper will reflect your belief and inspire those who read it. 

---

Task

By the end of this assignment students will have a completed "This-I-Believe" essay.  The requirements for this essay are:

• Tell a story
• 350 - 500 words
• Name your belief'
• Be positive
• Be personal
• Be inspiring

---

The Process 

     Did you read some examples of the "This I Believe" stories to help you better understand what this paper is about?

     Do you know how to figure out a specific belief you have? 

     Are you making utilizing the "This I Believe" stories to help you write your story?

     Have you made use of all of your resources to help you create your story? (Website, peers, teacher). 

     Would it be helpful to do a pre-write first? (Graphic organizer, list, chart).

     What is the best way to go about completing this paper? Do you have all of the necessary information to do so? If not, where can you find this information?

     Did you include anecdotes in your paper?

     Have you asked somebody to review your paper? Did you make any suggested changes?

     What can you add or change to your paper to make it flow easier and more inspiring? (Make use of your transition words and thesaurus here).

     Does your final story fit rubric? Is it based off of something you truly believe?

---

Resources

• This-I-Believe : This website contains thousands of "This-I-Believe" essays by a vast majority of people for you to look at.  If you have a specific topic you are thinking about or are starting from a blank slate, this website will give you ideas in which you can learn from. 
• This-I-Believe book : This book, which is available in the classroom, is a published collection of these essays.  Students with limited or no internet access will have a chance to look through this book during school and after or before school hours.
• Writers Prompts : This website includes 30 prompts in which kids could write about.  Although all of these might not be ideal for the "This-I-Believe" essay this website will get the creative juices flowing in a young writers mind.

---

Evaluation 

This-I-Believe

---

Teacher Name: Mr. Hogue & Ms. Kimberly Weatheford


Student Name:     ________________________________________

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Flow & Rhythm (Sentence Fluency)	All sentences sound natural and are easy-on-the-ear when read aloud. Each sentence is clear and has an obvious emphasis.	Almost all sentences sound natural and are easy-on-the-ear when read aloud, but 1 or 2 are stiff and awkward or difficult to understand.	Most sentences sound natural and are easy-on-the-ear when read aloud, but several are stiff and awkward or are difficult to understand.	The sentences are difficult to read aloud because they sound awkward, are distractingly repetitive, or difficult to understand.
Adding Personality (Voice)	The writer seems to be writing from knowledge or experience. The author has taken the ideas and made them \"his own.\"	The writer seems to be drawing on knowledge or experience, but there is some lack of ownership of the topic.	The writer relates some of his own knowledge or experience, but it adds nothing to the discussion of the topic.	The writer has not tried to transform the information in a personal way. The ideas and the way they are expressed seem to belong to someone else.
Transitions (Organization)	A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected.	Transitions clearly show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety.	Some transitions work well; but connections between other ideas are fuzzy.	The transitions between ideas are unclear or nonexistant.
Focus on Topic (Content)	There is one clear, well-focused topic. Main idea stands out and is supported by detailed information.	Main idea is clear but the supporting information is general.	Main idea is somewhat clear but there is a need for more supporting information.	The main idea is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information.
Grammar & Spelling (Conventions)	Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

---

Conclusion 

Students will have created a personal essay reflecting a strong belief they have had.  In this essay students will be sharing personal stories, memories, ideas, and perceptions they have pertaining to this belief.  Students are encouraged to celebrate their individuality and always voice their beliefs/opinions.  This assignment was intended to get students to think as young adults in a growing world, thinking towards their future and what differences they would like to make.  I urge them to work for their belief and bettering this world.