English III: Unit 5
Structure & Word Choice
Theme: Relationships, Friendships & Families
Embedded Files
This page has lesson plans for Unit 5 class sessions.
January 7 - February 7
(approx 14 sessions)
Unit 5 Overview
Unit 5 Overview
Essential Questions:
How can we be more conscientious about how we use language?
What makes a literary work flow?
How can we examine complex issues and ideas from multiple perspectives?
How do we create opportunities for conversation and inspiration?
Texts
Selected plays:
In the Heights by Lin Manuel Miranda
Literature circle novel options:
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Other options TBD
Selected poems:
"Alternate Ending: The Invention of Science" by J. Estanislao Lopez
Selected artwork, audio, video - TBD
Selected poetry & songs:
Selected Poems:
Topics:
Interpreting Themes in a Literary Work
Topics:
word choice/diction & tone
connotation & denotation
precision reduces confusion
descriptive words (adjectives & adverbs) qualify/modify and convey a perspective
shifts in tone
voice & style - word choice (diction), syntax & conventions
commentary & line of reasoning
coherence & transitions
synonyms, pronoun usage, parallel structure
signal phrases & transitions
Coherence occurs at different levels in a piece of writing. In a sentence, the idea in one clause logically links to an idea in the next. In a paragraph, the idea in one sentence logically links to an idea in the next. In a text, the ideas in one paragraph logically link to the ideas in the next.
Transitional elements are words or other elements (phrases, clauses, sentences, or paragraphs) that assist in creating coherence among sentences, paragraphs, or sections in a text by showing relationships among ideas.
Transitional elements can be used to introduce evidence or to indicate its relationship to other ideas or evidence in that paragraph or in the text as a whole.
Analysis & Interpretation: claim, evidence, commentary
Grammar: sentence structure, parallel structure, parenthetical statements, transition words
Equality and equity, gender issues, religious differences, race, social class, ability, culture, politics & political differences
Speaker / Ethos and persuasion in literature
passion, discrimination and inclusiveness - from pg 17, Poetry as Persuasion by Carl Dennis
"Literature as Persuasion" by Reed Whittemore
"Persuasion in Literature" - lesson plans from Why We Must Run With Scissors: Voice Lesson in Persuasive Writing by Barry Lane and Gretchen Bernabei
Unit Skills:
Examine and discuss how cohesion is achieved in various literary and rhetorical works.
Examine and discuss the connotation of key words in a text.
Analyze diction and syntax to determine an author's perspective on a topic or theme in a text.
Describe how word choice and syntax impact the tone and interpretation of a text.
Use appropriate transition words and phrases to develop coherence within a text.
Write an essay that reflects cohesion within and between sentences and paragraphs.
Write a literary work (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) in which you use word choice, syntax and structure and to establish the speaker / narrator’s voice and a distinctive writing style.
Cite sources of information using MLA or APA format.
Formative Assessment(s):
Journal Writing
Dialectical Journal / Reading Notes
Group Discussion Notes -
Reflection Writing
Creative Writing - poetry collection - poem with coherence
Summative Assessment(s):
Creative Writing Revision Process Essay - write a one-page essay explaining changes you made during the revision process - word choice, commentary/reasoning, coherence & transitions
Group Presentation: Rank & Justify
Online Discussion Board
Assessment is focused on helping students develop:
critical thinking
creative expression
analytical writing skills
research skills
intellectual and professional communication skills
Visit the assessments page for more details.
Week of January 8
Week of January 8
5.1 Inspiration from Nonfiction
5.1 Inspiration from Nonfiction
Wednesday January 10
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Read a nonfiction essay or article of your choosing independently for at least 15 minutes, noting sentences and passages that stand out to you. Write down your thoughts, quotes, questions and ideas after reading.
Discuss the concept of voice and digressions in writing.
Freewrite for at least 10 minutes, exploring thoughts and ideas inspired by your reading.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Journal Writing - Freewriting
Inspiration from Nonfiction
Assignments
Assignments
_______________________________________________________
5.2 Ekphrastic Writing
5.2 Ekphrastic Writing
Thursday January 11 & Friday January 12
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Discuss the concept of ekphrasis in literature.
Read, analyze and discuss a poem, story, or essay inspired by a work of art.
Freewrite for at least 10 minutes, exploring thoughts, ideas, and observations inspired by a photograph or other work of art.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Ekphrastic Writing
Mentor Texts
Choose a Work of Art
Journal Writing
Assignments
Assignments
Journal Writing - first literature-inspired journal entry due Sunday
_______________________________________________________
Week of January 15
Week of January 15
5.3 Photo Essays: Analysis
5.3 Photo Essays: Analysis
Tuesday January 16
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Freewrite for at least 10 minutes, exploring thoughts and ideas inspired by your reading.
Analyze a photo essay and discuss your observations and insights related to the community, the content, and the photographer’s and author’s techniques.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Freewriting
Photography & Environmental Portraits
Overview of Photo Essay project - Guidelines & Instructions
Photo Essay Analysis
Assignments
Assignments
Photo Essays - Guidelines & Instructions
_______________________________________________________
5.4 Photo Essays: Photography Techniques
5.4 Photo Essays: Photography Techniques
Wednesday January 17
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Identify and discuss principles of photography and design.
Create a slideshow with at least 5 examples and explanations of photography techniques.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Overview of Photography Techniques
Photography Techniques Slideshow - small group activity
Assignments
Assignments
Photo Essays - Guidelines & Instructions
_______________________________________________________
5.5 Photo Essays: Brainstorming
5.5 Photo Essays: Brainstorming
Thursday January 18
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Make a list of communities and categories to which you belong.
Describe details about the community you would like to photograph.
Research and take notes on information related to the community you have chosen.
Record citation information (title, author, publication date, URL and website name) for each source of information.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Journal Writing - My Community (see my example)
Research & Note-Taking
Assignments
Assignments
Photo Essays - Guidelines & Instructions
Apply principles of photography, research, and interviewing to capture images and gather information about a community.
Create a photo essay that showcases a community.
_______________________________________________________
Week of January 22
Week of January 22
5.6 Intro to In the Heights
5.6 Intro to In the Heights
Monday January 22
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Examine and discuss the historical and cultural context for the play In the Heights.
Discuss and evaluate examples of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s literary work and performances.
Discuss the impact of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s work in contemporary society.
Discuss the challenges of writing and producing a Broadway musical.
Examine the elements of a script.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Intro to Lin-Manuel Miranda and his work
Watch 21 Chump Street
Small group discussion
Assignments
Assignments
Post-It: What did you notice/like most about the performance you watched today? What did you find impressive? What question would you like to ask Lin-Manuel Miranda? What would you love to write a musical about?
_______________________________________________________
5.7 In the Heights: Act 1
5.7 In the Heights: Act 1
Wednesday January 24
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Read, watch and discuss character and plot development in Act 1 of In the Heights.
Identify and describe subplots and conflicts in the play.
Generate questions before, during and after reading Act 1 of In the Heights.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Reading the play (whole class or small groups)
Discussion (whole class or small groups)
Watch the movie - What differences do you notice between the play and the movie? Why do you think the movie director decided to make these changes?
Create Questions in small groups
Discussion Board - choose one of the questions to discuss
Assignments
Assignments
5.7 Create Questions Worksheet
Discussion Board
_______________________________________________________
5.8 Photo Essays: Choosing Photos & Writing Captions
5.8 Photo Essays: Choosing Photos & Writing Captions
Thursday January 25
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Choose 5-7 photos that reflect the character of your community and reveal important aspects of what it means to belong in this community.
Research and take notes on information related to the community you have chosen.
Record citation information (title, author, publication date, URL and website name) for each source of information.
Write captions for the photos you have chosen for your photo essay.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Storytelling
Photo editing
Assignments
Assignments
Photo Essays - Guidelines & Instructions
_______________________________________________________
5.9 Photo Essays: Writing
5.9 Photo Essays: Writing
Friday January 26
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Write captions for the photos you have chosen for your photo essay.
Write at least three paragraphs with background information to accompany your photo essay.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Writing Captions
Drafting your Photo Essay Introduction
Assignments
Assignments
Photo Essays - Guidelines & Instructions
_______________________________________________________
5.10 Hometown Playlist Essay
5.10 Hometown Playlist Essay
Monday January 29 & Wednesday January 31
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Create a playlist with 3-5 songs that make you think of your hometown or places you have lived.
Write a 4-5 paragraph essay that provides personal, historical, geographical and cultural context about each song on your playlist.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Hometown Playlist
Read, watch & discuss play
Writing Workshop - Hometown Playlist
Assignments
Assignments
Hometown Playlist
_______________________________________________________
5.11 In the Heights Act 2 & Themes
5.11 In the Heights Act 2 & Themes
Thursday February 1 & Friday February 2
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Read, listen to, and discuss Act 2 of In the Heights.
Define and discuss themes in In the Heights.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Whole Class Reading & Listening
How does one deal with feeling powerless in a difficult situation?
Themes in In the Heights
Assignments
Assignments
Journal Writing
_______________________________________________________
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse