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What does it mean to be weak or strong?
Key Reading Standards
Key Reading Standards
Use Key Ideas and Details to:
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (CCSS RI.7.1; CAS 7.2.2.a.i)
Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide a objective summary of the text. (CCSS RI.7.2; CAS 7.2.2.a.ii)
Use Craft and Structure to:
Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.(CCSS RI.7.5; CAS 7.2.2.b.ii)
Key Writing Standards
Key Writing Standards
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. (CCSS W.7.2; CAS 7.3.1.a)
Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (for example: headings), graphics (for example: charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. (CCSS W.7.2a)
Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. (CCSS W.7.2b)
Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. (CCSS W.7.2c)
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. (CCSS W.7.2d)
Establish and maintain a formal style. (CCSS W.7.2e)
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented. (CCSS W.7.2f)
Unit Texts & Tasks
Unit Texts & Tasks
Routine Writing
Routine Writing
Extended Texts
Extended Texts
at least 1
Almost Astronauts by Tanya Lee Stone (DMS)
Courage Has No Color by Tanya Lee Stone (DMS & Overdrive)
Guts by Gary Paulsen (Overdrive)
Harris and Me by Gary Paulson (Overdrive)
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (DMS & Overdrive)
Necessary Roughness by Marie G. Lee (Overdrive)
Nothing but the Truth by Avi (DMS)
Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff (DMS)
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin (DMS)
Short Literary Texts
Short Literary Texts
at least 2-3
“Identity” by Julio Naboa (use with Theme in Poetry)
"Wilderness" by Carl Sandburg (use with Theme in Poetry)
“Drying Out” by Cynthia Rylant
“Excerpt from The Odyssey: The Sirens” by Homer (pair with "The Hero's Journey")
“If We Must Die” by Claude McKay
“Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll
“Kayvan the Brave” by Elizabeth Laird
“Laura’s Key” by Anne-Marie Reidy
“A Psalm Of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“The Ravine” by Graham Salisbury
“Sonnet” by James Weldon Johnson
Short Informational Texts
Short Informational Texts
at least 1-2
"This Tiny Animal is Apocalypse-Proof" by Maria Temming (use with On Demand)
"Earthlings, Meet Venus" by Rachel Slivnick (use with On Demand)
"Conflicting News Reports on the Fate of the Sinking Titanic" (use with Compare & Contrast News Accounts)
"Herd Behavior" by CommonLit Staff (use with Effects of Following the Crowd)
"Witchcraft in Salem" by USHistory.org (Use with Effects of Following the Crowd)
“The Hero’s Journey” by Jessica McBirney (Pair w/ Odyssey excerpt)
“How the News Media Works” by Jessica McBirney
“On Twitter, Fake News Has Greater Allure Than Truth Does” by Maria Temming
“The Real ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ Soldier Saved 75 Souls Without Ever Carrying a Gun” by Elizabeth Blair
“The Underground Railroad” by USHistory.org
“We Shall Overcome Speech” by President Lyndon B. Johnson
“The Breathtaking Courage of Harriet Tubman” by Janell Hobson (TEDEd)
Analytical Writing Tasks
Analytical Writing Tasks
at least 4-6
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT - Informational Text Analysis: An essay that explores the development of two+ informational texts. (Doc) (Writable)
On Demand - Text Analysis: An essay that explores the development of two+ informational texts. Designed to be a formative check of students' understanding prior to completing the summative assessment. (Doc) (Writable)
Answer the Question in One Paragraph: A repeated writing opportunity to reflect on the essential question of the module. (Doc) (Writable)
Superpowers and Kryptonite: An argumentative task exploring the greatest strength and weakness of today's society. (Doc) (Writable)
Building Societies: A response exploring what makes a society strong or weak. (Doc) (Writable)
Compare & Contrast News Accounts: A comparison and contrast of the same event from different points of view. (Doc) (Writable)
Effects of Following the Crowd: A paired text analysis of the affects of herd behavior. (Doc) (Writable)
Investigating Ideas in a Text: An analysis of how author's organize information to develop ideas. (Doc) (Writable)
Theme in Poetry: A paired text examination of theme in poetry. (Doc) (Writable)
Research Task
Research Task
at least 1
Research Blitz - Current Events Exploration: A research task in students explore current event topics at the local, state, and national levels. (Doc) (Writable)
Research - Current Events & Today's Society: A research task that examines current events to explain the strengths & weaknesses of today's society. (Doc) (Writable)
Research - Strength of a Society: A research task that evaluates the strength or weakness of a selected society. (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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