Unit 2 Small Group Texts
Unit Home | Writing Task | Anchor Texts | Small Group Texts | Independent Texts
Embedded Files
Thank You, M'am
⬅ Click for online resources. 📄 (link to PDF version)
Hook and inspire your students with these ideas. Build your own Playlist of media, short texts, novel connections and extension activities to enrich your teaching. Please be sure to preview all materials before sharing them with your students.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Concept Vocabulary
permit
release
contact
Skill Vocabulary
plot
exposition
rising action
climax
falling action
resolution
Analyze Craft & Structure
Analyze Craft & Structure
Focus: Elements of a Short Story - Plot
Standard(s)
🔍 7-8.R.5 Cite textual evidence that supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
🔍 7-8.RL.7 Analyze the impact of character and plot development on the overall story or drama.
Support/Resources
Sharing Perspectives Discussion Prompts
Mini Lessons: Analyzing Narratives for Plot Devices
Nearpod Video: Langston Hughes
Flocabulary Lesson: Plot Elements
Word Study
Word Study
Focus: Latin Suffix: -ary
Standard(s)
7-8.R.9 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Support/Resources
Conventions
Conventions
Focus: Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases
Support/Resources
⏳Writing to Sources
⏳Writing to Sources
Focus: Journal Entry
Standard(s)
7-8.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
Support/Resources
from An American Childhood
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Concept Vocabulary
tissue
enlarged
amoeba
Skill Vocabulary
reflective essay
central ideas
make inferences
Analyze Craft & Structure
Analyze Craft & Structure
Focus: Reflective Writing
Standard(s)
🔍 7-8.R.5 Cite textual evidence that supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
7-8.RI.6 When reading texts, including those from diverse cultures, determine the main idea, analyze its relationship to supporting ideas, and provide an objective summary that includes textual evidence.
7-8.RI.7 Analyze a complex set of ideas or sequence of events and explain how specific individuals, ideas, or events interact and develop over the course of the text.
Support/Resources
Word Study
Word Study
Focus: Prefix: en-
Standard(s)
7-8.R.9 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Support/Resources
Conventions
Conventions
Speaking & Listening
Speaking & Listening
Focus: Collaborative Discussion
Standard(s)
7-8.SL.1 Participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations on topics, texts, and issues.
a. Respond thoughtfully in democratic discussions that involve decision-making and role-taking and determine if additional information or research is required to deepen the discussion.
b. Participate in conversations by asking and responding to questions and provide the opportunity to consider a range of perspectives.
Support/Resources
Supplementary Text
Urban Farming Is Growing a Greener Future
Urban Farming Is Growing a Greener Future
Vocabulary
rural
agricultural
localizing
Activities
Media Vocabulary
Analyze the Media
Research
Standard(s)
7-8.W.4 Conduct short research projects to craft an argument, answer a question, or provide an analysis.
Support/Resources
Collaborative Performance Task: Informative
Collaborative Performance Task: Informative
💡Teacher Tip: This is a great discussion question, but for pacing considerations, perhaps a presentation is not necessary. Instead, you could arrange an informal discussion or Socratic Seminar.
Focus: Informative Presentation
Prompt: With your group, review the selections you have read in this section, and consider the ways the different turning points are described in the selections. Then, present an informative essay in the form of a multimedia presentation in response to the following prompt:
How are the turning points in the selections similar to and different from each other?
Use images and other multimedia to emphasize and clarify key points in your presentation.
Academic Vocabulary
contribute
consistent
maintain
observation
sufficient
💡 It is essential to have students use these words throughout the unit, particularly in their performance tasks/assessments.
Standard(s)
🔍7-8.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
7–8.SL.2 Evaluate the credibility of multiple sources of information presented in various formats and mediums to make informed decisions.
7–8.SL.3 Use appropriate language, grammar, organization, development, and delivery styles appropriate to purpose and audience for formal or informal contexts.
a. Convey a clear perspective by presenting and citing information, findings, and supporting evidence so that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.
Support/Resources
Facilitating Socratic Seminars
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