Question #3 Changing Perspective
Matthew O wrote:
I am doing the story, La Llorona. I have developed the reading into four versions of the same telling. I am going to give a written test; whereas, the students are given captions to the story and they will need to write the story. In the fourth version, they students finally find out how the kids died. So far, I have done the first three versions. Next, I will give them a practice test missing the box where they need to draw and write how the kids died. I still need to do the fourth version and the test.
My question is this: I would like to do the fourth version in first person, instead of third person. Is this a valid way to do embedded reading? I would like to expose the students to the story in first person–Me reading the story to them, I believe would contect them more to the story.
Yet, should I do this after the test so as not to confuse the students? Or can I do it for the fourth version, and then clearly specify that they need to write it in third person? This will be the first time they will see a story completely in first person.
Thanks!
Hello Matthew!!
Wow…you’ve done several great things with this. First, if you want the to write the story in the third person, then ask them to do that before you do a first person version. Your instincts are right.
There is no rule that you can’t give an assessment before going on to a new version!! Assess when it is right to assess, and when you have finished the third person accounts, that is the right time.
Next, changing perspectives from third to first person is an EXCELLENT way to use embedded reading.
I LOVE that you are waiting until the last version to give the final details. Any time that we can leave an interesting or surprising detail until the end, we keep the readers in suspense!
Because you are reading the story, and the change in perspective is in context, they will have little or no problem with the “new” endings. Consider using the part where they draw the ending as a follow-up activity.
If you are willing to share your reading with other teachers, I can post it there with the other readings that teachers have shared.
So great to hear from you!
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