Fictional Reading Comprehension and Creative Writing Unit: The Flying Dutchman

Item description

This fictional reading comprehension passage with questions contains a 3 1/2-page adaptation of the legend, “The Flying Dutchman.” The text is followed by a creative writing unit that will allow your students to have fun while learning! This assignment is accompanied by a sample prewriting story map and includes the elements of a legend and the parts of a plot.

“The Flying Dutchman” will also assist your students with vocabulary acquisition and retention. It contains a context clues worksheet for inferring word meanings. It also has embedded vocabulary accompanied by a review, a quiz, and retention strategies.

This product contains academic vocabulary for grades 7 and 8; however, its content is appropriate for 9th grade. It is aligned with Common Core and requires no teacher preparation.

List of Contents

PowerPoint Presentation

Elements of a Legend

Parts of a plot

Exposition

• Setting

• Protagonist

• Antagonist

• Additional Characters

• Story Conflict (External versus Internal)

Rising Action

Story Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

Prewriting: Story Map

Story Map Example

Formatting a Legend

Student Resource:

2 ½ page fictional passage: The Legend of the Flying Dutchman

Embedded Academic Vocabulary Words with Definitions

Reading Comprehension Questions

Teacher Resources

Single Point Rubric

Peer Editing Form

Answer Keys

Vocabulary Retention Games and Strategies

Worksheets

Context Clues Worksheet

Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary Quiz

Excerpt I

Above all things, Captain Hendrick Van der Decken longed for glory such as his forefathers had achieved. He thought himself much wiser than those who swabbed his decks and scraped the barnacles from his ship’s hull. Having come from a long line of seafarers, he feared neither dark omens nor sea monsters. Instead, he steered his craft based on the sun, stars, and moon movements, as his father had. In his mind, he was master of the sea and superior to lesser men in the northern land of Holland.

Excerpt II

Banda Neira was a tropical paradise, protected on all sides from the unceasing winds raging over the Banda Sea. Towering above the island, the volcano known as Gunung Banda Api belched clouds of dark smoke. The tiny settlement was known for its sparkling sapphire waters filled with stunning coral reefs. There, dolphins played in the waves while monkeys chattered from atop the harbor’s palm trees. As the ship dropped anchor, the reason for the settlement’s prosperity became clear. Wooden pallets of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves littered the docks, awaiting shipment to buyers from all parts of the world.

Supplies Needed

· unlined paper, about 14 inches wide and 10 inches wide

· rulers

· colored markers