Learning Objectives
Students will make inferences from text to determine a character’s personality traits, consider what jobs might best suit them, and then create a business card that highlights their traits.
Grade Levels
6-8
Common Core Standard
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1
Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Materials Needed
Student copies of Jack London’s Call of the Wild*
Computers with word processor software
Sample business cards from various local businesses
Business card blanks or heavy stock paper cut to the appropriate size
Preparation Before Lesson
- Before this lesson, students should have read Jack London’s Call of the Wild. This could be done as a whole class, independently, or in literature circles.
- Ask students to bring copies of the book that will be the focus of their business cards to class for reference.
Lesson
Introduction
- Review the elements on The Call of the Wild. Focus on the character of Buck. Buck is a dog with very strong character traits.
- Introduce the writing activity. Pass out a planning sheet and rubric.
Explicit Instruction/Teacher Modeling
- Students should use their text to find passages from their text to support three main character traits that describe Buck. These character traits will be inferred from what the text explicitly states. They should then use their traits to determine a job Buck would have.
- Have students research jobs that dogs go here: Service, Therapy and Work Dogs
- Explain that students will be making business cards that include elements from the list of options we discussed.
- Share the example business cards with students and explain the assignment, pointing out each of the parts that are included.
- Discuss other elements that could be added to the cards.
- Lead students through discussion of the key elements for each part. Sample discussion questions can include the following:
- What are the important characteristics of a tagline or description of a business or professional?
- What do the words in the tagline on the sample card tell you about the character?
- What details make sense for the character? Is there an address? Would phone or e-mail information make sense?
- What products and/or services can you associate with the character or author?
- What kind of a logo would best represent the character or author and why?
Independent Working Time
- Students may begin working on the project. They can work in groups or individually.
- Students may make their business cards online using Microsoft Word (How To) or they can draw them by hand.
- While students work, again encourage them to interact with one another, to share and receive feedback on their plans for business cards.
- After the business cards are printed out, students can decorate them with markers or other classroom supplies.
Review and Closing
- Have students share their business cards, focusing on the traits of Buck that make him suitable for each job.
References
How to Create Business Cards in Microsoft Word. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/170130/how-to-create-business-cards-in-microsoft-word
London, J. (1903). The Call of the Wild. New York, NY: Macmillan Publishers.
Service, Therapy, and Working Dogs. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/public-education/resources/service-therapy-work-dogs/.
*Please note: Some arguments have been made that Jack London’s Call of the Wild is not appropriate for children due to its violent nature. As with any book assigned, always read the book before assigning it and carefully consider if it is appropriate for your students.