My unit, based on a storybook, Nine Days to Christmas: A Story of Mexico, exhibits the foundational knowledge of reading, writing, and oral communication as stated in the Illinois Professional Teaching Standard Number 6. In the unit, the students are introduced to the storybook through two pre-reading strategies to activate their schema and background knowledge. The unit was prepared with lessons focusing on pre-reading, during-reading, and post-reading activities, which integrate reading and discussion for students to achieve reading comprehension, connect, and engage the student’s interests. Integrating these three activities and tying them to the book's theme illustrates my professional growth in understanding the importance of using appropriate and various activities within the unit. I believe this is a clear example of how I integrated and comprehended the Illinois Professional Teaching Standard 6 - Knowledge Indicators – The competent teacher:  6A) understands appropriate and varied instructional approaches used before, during, and after reading, including those that develop word knowledge, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and strategy use in the content areas;.  The unit’s theme was designed to connect to the students firmly. The unit’s theme will introduce students to other cultures and traditions different from their own. The unit was planned to build upon student’s background knowledge and experience. With the text, experience, and knowledge, the students can connect the theme to their own personal lives while experiencing another culture. Additionally, students will have writing assignments relating to the storybook.  As stated in the unit plan, the writing strategies selected for this unit will have demonstrated students’ comprehension and learning of all objectives. All the reading, writing, and oral activities integrated into the unit show I fulfill the Illinois Professional Teaching Standard 6 - Performance Indicator - The competent teacher: 6P), integrates reading, writing, and oral communication to engage students in content learning. Preparing this unit has helped me grow as an educator. It has designed me to be a better teacher to my students. Planning this unit, I learned to recognize and incorporate the five essential reading components of reading: Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. I have carefully selected activities that heavily involve all five reading components, and I am confident I will successfully help all learners regardless of their level of ability or skills.