Writing a Resume

As mentioned in a previous blog post, my current unit explores acts of courage.  My students read a text selection about Harriett Tubman.  In an effort to spice up the usual writing assignments, I had my students create a resume.  After showing the students my own resume (they were not impressed), I had them work in groups to outline Tubman's address (county and state), major skills and accomplishments as well as jobs that she held using a template as a guide.  Not only does this assignment help make the students "college and career ready" (I'm still trying to figure out what teachers were preparing students for prior to Arne Duncan's policy change), it also forced them to go back to the text and work as a team to pull out specific information.  The students had a blast completing this assignment and worked together to make some great inferences in order to complete the skills section.  Since the students found this assignment so engaging, I will most likely keep it in my toolbox for a bit longer than usual.  After all, if my students will eagerly complete this assignment so close to winter break, maybe they will do the same right before spring break.