Nonfiction Forum

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Appendix

Additional Educator Resources

Course Details:

Grades: 7-8

Length: one semester; may be taken up to four times, as needed.

Prerequisites: teacher recommendation

Course Description:

Nonfiction Forum focuses on the reading of course texts and informational resources. Composition, speech, research, and aligned literature will be incorporated as components, as well as study and test-taking skills. Nonfiction Forum can support content from other core courses, such as Social Studies or Science.

Suggested Activities

- Project Citizen
- Analyze portrayal of news events via varied media.
- Compare visual representation of history with textual representation, using timelines or graphic organizers.
- Keep a notebook documenting varied study skill options.
- Performance assessment forums such as plays, testimony, court scenes, taped readings, models, and technological presentations.
- Compile a personal portfolio of varied projects that incorporate print and non-print media.

Foundation Reading Skills

Graduate - Level Competency:

Informational Texts

GS.1 Learners will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, analyze, and critique a variety of complex print and non-print informational texts – including texts for science, social studies, and technical subjects, and self-selected material.

Course/Grade Competency:

MS.1 The learner will read to make meaning while flexibly using a variety of strategies to apply and extend literacy skills with fluency and independence at grade level complexity.

Content Objectives:

Although foundational skills are not identified beyond the sixth grade span, it is important to continue developing them with learners who may need additional support. A variety of strategies will be taught and used with learners to help them understand texts and continue to make meaning.

Reading Nonfiction

Graduate - Level Competency:

Informational Texts

Course/Grade Competency:

MS.3 The learner will comprehend and draw conclusions about the author’s intent when reading a variety of increasingly complex, nonfictional texts, and cite a range of relevant and compelling textual evidence to support their analyses.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

Read daily.
Reflect and respond to different ideas found in written, oral, and visual materials, and connect them to life.
Make predictions and connections between text.
Practice pre-reading activities, including preview of text organization and section titles, vocabulary, and summary questions.
Recognize relationships of concepts, such as cause and effect, fact and opinion, bias and propaganda, and compare and contrast.
Recognize and understand analogies, similes, and metaphors in nonfiction texts.

Standards:

AKSS

RI.8.1; RI.8.2; RI.8.3; RI.8.4; RI.8.5; RI.8.6; RI.8.7; RI.8.8; RI.8.9; RI.8.10; W.8.9.b; L.8.4.a-d; L.8.5.a-c; L.8.6; RH.6-7-8.1

AASL

III.A.1-3, V.A.1-3, VI.A.1-3, I.B.1-3, III.B.1-2, IV.B.1-4, VI.B.1-3, III.C.1-3, VI.C.1-2, I.D.1-4, II.D.1-3, IV.D.1-3, V.D.1-3, VI..D.1-3

Speaking, Listening, and Viewing

Graduate - Level Competencies:

Speaking

GS.4 Learners will demonstrate the ability to speak purposefully and effectively, strategically making complex decisions about content, language use, and discourse style.

Listening

GS.5 Learners will demonstrate the ability to listen critically and reflectively in a variety of settings and purpose.

Course/Grade Competency:

MS.7 The learner will initiate and participate effectively in speaking and listening for a variety of purposes and audiences (e.g., informal discussions, formal presentations), listen to diverse perspectives, and express ideas clearly and purposefully.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Ask questions to clarify information.
- Summarize main ideas, concepts, and supporting details.
- View, listen, and respond to varied readings and media on social or civic concepts.
- Identify message and target audience of video, print, and radio advertisements.
- State and justify main ideas and supporting details, incorporating content area vocabulary and varied sources.

Standards:

AKSS

SL.8.1.a-d; SL.8.2; SL.8.3; SL.8.4; SL.8.5; SL.8.6; L.8.1.a-d; L.8.2.a-c; L.8.3.a; L.8.4.a-d; L.8.5.a-c; L.8.6

AASL

I.A.1-2, III.A.1-3, III.A.1-3, IV.A.1-3, V.A.2-3, VI.A.1-3, I.B.1-3, II.B.1-3, III.B.1-2, IV.B.1-4, V.B.1-3, VI.B.1-2, I.C.1-4, II.C.1-2, III.C.1-2, IV.C.1-3, V.C.1-3, VI.C.1-2, I.D.1-4, II.D.1-3, III.D.1-2, IV.D.1-3, V.D.1-3, VI.D.1-3

Technology

Graduate - Level Competencies:

Technological

GS.7 Learners will demonstrate the ability to appropriately use the tools of technology to gather, interpret, collaborate, and analyze information and create shareable products.

Media Literacy

GS.8 Learners will engage in independent critical thinking through accessing, analyzing, evaluating, and creating a complex variety of media.

Course/Grade Competency:

MS.9 The learner will demonstrate the ability to appropriately use the tools of technology, including digital media and the Internet, to gather, interpret, and analyze information and create sharable products.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Strategically integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations.
- Use digital tools and reference materials to interpret intended word meanings, expand understanding from definitional to conceptual, and apply them when communicating.

Standards:

AKSS

W.8.6; W.8.7; W.8.8; SL.8.5; L.8.4.c

I.A.1-2, II.A.1-3, III.A.1-3, IV.A. 1-3, V.A.1-3, VI.A.1-3, I.B.1-3, II.B.1-3, III.B.1-2, IV.B.1-4, V.B.1-3, VI.B.1-2, I.C.1-4, II.C.1-2, III.C.1-2, IV.C.1-3, V.C.1-3, VI.C.1-2, I.D.1-4, II.D.1-3, III.D.1-2, IV.D.1-3, V.D.1-3, VI.D.1-3

ISTE

1.d

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