ELA
Unit 1 - "What on Earth? A Study of Ecology"
What are we learning?
Writing discussion-worthy questions and responding with proper evidence.
Objective summary of fictional text.
Writing informative texts
Evaluating online sources
Engaging in collaborative discussions
Making inferences
What to expect in this unit?
Literature circle discussions
Infographics
Summaries of texts
Reading and analyzing non-fiction literature
Why does this unit matter?
It is the introduction of skills needed to be successful throughout the year.
Unit 2 - "Quest for Freedom"
What are we learning?
Writing discussion-worthy questions and responding with proper evidence.
Objective summary of fictional text.
Writing compare/contrast paragraph using evidence from different texts
Evaluating online sources
Engaging in collaborative discussions
Making inferences
POV/Perspective
Protagonist/Antagonist
What to expect in this unit?
Literature circle discussions
Summaries of texts
Reading and analyzing non-fiction/fiction literature
Fact vs. Fiction Research Project
Why does this unit matter?
It is the introduction of skills needed to be successful throughout the year.
Unit 3 - "Decisions, Decisions"
What are we learning?
Writing discussion-worthy questions and responding with proper evidence.
Including Follow Up Questions within discussions
Figurative language within the text
Connotation and Denotation
Summary (20 word GIST)
Engaging in collaborative discussions
Making inferences
POV/Perspective
Protagonist/Antagonist
How to debate and use researched evidence to support
What to expect in this unit?
Literature circle discussions
GIST Summaries of texts (LCB)
Show understanding of word meanings (connotative and denotative)
Reading and analyzing /fiction literature/Poetry
Yes/No Debate Article
Why does this unit matter?
It is the introduction of skills needed to be successful throughout the year.
Unit 4 - "Blessings of Liberty"
What are we learning?
Sentence types (simple, compound, and complex)
Article analysis, reflection, and grammar review.
Novel summaries
Synthesizing information from the novel into a book report project and presenting it clearly.
How to debate and use researched evidence to support
What to expect in this unit?
Novel discussions
Grammar study on sentence types
Book Report Project
Analyzing informational texts
Argumentative Essay
Why does this unit matter?
Introduces new skills, as noted above
Allows students to research and reflect on what is occurring in the world and how they can be impacted
It shows students how to clearly voice their opinions with evidence
Unit 5 - "Moving Forward"
What are we learning?
Writing discussion-worthy questions and responding with proper evidence.
Including follow-up questions within discussions
Connecting our reading to other texts, experiences, and the real world.
Engaging in collaborative discussions
How to debate and use researched evidence to support
How to write a compare and contrast essay
Comparing and contrasting different media
The elements of plot
Narrative writing
What to expect in this unit?
Literature circle discussions
Connecting our reading to other texts, experiences, and the real world.
Show understanding of word meanings (connotative and denotative)
Reading and analyzing fictional literature
Continued practice on sentence types
Comparing and contrasting aspects of a text versus other media
Narrative writing project
Why does this unit matter?
Introduces new skills, as noted above
Allows students to look outside their novels to connect to other media and the real world.
It shows students how to voice their opinions with evidence clearly