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What does it mean to struggle?
Key Reading Standards
Key Reading Standards
Use Key Ideas and Details to:
Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (for example: how setting shapes the characters or plot). (CCSS RL.7.3; CAS 7.2.1.a.iii)
Use Craft and Structure to:
Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text. (CCSS RL.7.6; CAS 7.2.1.b.iii)
Key Writing Standards
Key Writing Standards
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. (CCSS W.7.3; CAS 7.3.3.a)
Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. (CCSS W.7.3.a)
Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. (CCSS W.7.3.b)
Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another. (CCSS W.7.3.c)
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events. (CCSS W.7.3.d)
Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. (CCSS: W.7.3.e)
Unit Texts & Tasks
Unit Texts & Tasks
Routine Writing
Routine Writing
Extended Texts
Extended Texts
at least 1
Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson (DMS)
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis (DMS)
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (DMS & Overdrive)
The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez (DMS & Overdrive)
The Contender by Robert Lipsyte (Overdrive)
Enrique’s Journey (Young Reader’s Edition) by Sonia Nazario (DMS - Adult Edition)
Hidden Figures (Young Reader’s Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly (DMS & Overdrive)
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer (DMS)
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Overdrive)
Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool (DMS & Overdrive)
Refugee by Alan Gratz (DMS)
Savvy by Ingrid Law (DMS)
Trash by Andy Mulligan (Overdrive)
Women of the Frontier by Brandon Miller (Overdrive)
Short Literary Texts
Short Literary Texts
at least 2-3
“The Leap” by Louise Erdich (use with Paired Text Analysis)
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes (use with Paired Text analysis)
"The Party" by Pam Muñoz Ryan (use with On Demand task)
“America and I” by Anzia Yezierska
“Door to Freedom” by Jacalyn McNamara
“Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros
“Hello, My Name Is” by Jason Kim
“Marble Champ” by Gary Soto
“See It Through” by Edgar Guest
“The Treasure of Lemon Brown” by Walter Dean Myers
Short Informational Texts
Short Informational Texts
at least 1-2
“Working the Farms” by Mike Weinstein
“Dancing Toward Dreams” by Sara Matson
“The Harlem Renaissance” by Jessica McBirney
“Sweet, Difficult Sounds” by I.M. Desta
“The Voting Rights Act of 1965” by Jessica McBirney
“Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth (use with Being a Strong Learner)
“Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: An Introduction” (TEDEd) (use with Being a Strong Learner)
Analytical Writing Tasks
Analytical Writing Tasks
at least 4-6
Answer the Question in One Paragraph: A repeating writing opportunity to reflect on the essential question. (Doc) (Writable)
Character Evolution: An argument analyzing the moment that caused a significant change in the character. (Doc) (Writable)
Author's Point of View (Information): An analysis of the author's point of view or purpose in an informational text. (Doc) (Writable)
Being a Strong Learner: A response, using information from multiple sources, identifying what is needed to be a strong learner. (Doc) (Writable)
Character Point of View (Literary): An analysis of points of view of different characters or narrators in a short literary text. (Doc) (Writable)
Consider Other's Perspective: A response based on a literary or informational text that analyzes how a character or individual was successful (or not) in overcoming a struggle. (Doc) (Writable)
Paired Text Analysis - "The Leap" and "Mother To Son": An analysis of different perspectives and how they affect an understanding of struggle. (Doc) (Writable)
Narrative Writing Tasks
Narrative Writing Tasks
at least 1-2
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT - Narrative: An original fiction piece, based on a selected text from within the module, that tells the conflict from the point of view of a new character. (Doc) (Writable)
ON DEMAND - Narrative: A narrative, based on a pre-determined text, that continues the story from the point of view of a new character. (Doc) (Writable)
Fan Fiction - The Next Chapter: An original piece that writes the "next chapter" of an extended text from any character's perspective. (Doc) (Writable)
Fiction - Thematic Vignettes: A collaborative collection of short vignettes that explore the topic of struggle. (Doc) (Writable)
Personal Narrative - Beyond the Obstacles: A personal narrative that describes a time when the writer faced a difficult challenge or setback. (Doc) (Writable)
Planning
Planning
Each unit’s tasks will be a general week-by-week outline of the flow of learning tasks for students. Realizing the cultures and schedules at each site will vary and place unique demands on class time, these outlines are to be seen as generally flexible. Also in recognition of school and classroom cultures, expectations, and practices, unit plans will offer templates for tasks, but will not list daily lessons. This is to allow enough certainty of district alignment while allowing for features such as co-teaching, integrated ELA and social studies, and other unique programmatic designs.
Reflection & Feedback
Reflection & Feedback
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