Learning Units

In this unit, we will be focusing on the fiction genres and understanding story elements such as plot, characters, and setting. After this, we will begin reading The Outsiders.

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During this unit, we will also work on responding to literature using the RACE  (Restate the question, Answer the question, Cite your evidence, and Explain your answer) method. We will practice this skill for the rest of the year, throughout all genres.

In this unit, we will focus on point-of-view, mood, and theme in fiction. We will also continuously review story elements from Unit 1, as well as practice more written literary analysis with the RACE method.   We will finish reading The Outsiders, watch the movie,  and then hopefully be able to visit The Outsiders Museum. This is a class favorite!

In this unit, we focus on the non-fiction genres. We will learn about the different types of reference materials and when to use them. We will also look at different informational text features, such as photographs, and determine what the author's purpose is. To round out the unit, students will be writing a literary analysis response over photographs taken during the Dust Bowl.

In this unit, we will continue our exploration of non-fiction by looking deeper at author's purpose. We will be looking at the different text structures commonly used in non-fiction writing, such as compare-contrast and problem-solution. We will learn how to find the main idea and supporting details in nonfiction pieces, and will practice summarizing articles using the "Chunking" method. Students will also be writing an informational report at the end of this unit.

In this combo unit, we will be focusing on poetry while learning about imagery, sound devices, figurative language, and symbolism. We will be reading and learning many different types of poems, such as lyric and haiku.  Students also will be beginning literature circles using verse novels towards the end of this unit. Everyone will be required to read a certain number of pages every week and meet with an assigned group weekly to discuss their thoughts over those pages. 

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During this unit, students will also write their own concrete poem.

 In this unit, we will be looking at drama and screenplays and learning how they differ from regular fiction. 

We will also be focusing on persuasive speech, learning about different rhetorical devices that speakers use. Students will write a persuasive essay to wrap up the unit and showcase their new rhetorical skills!

In this unit, we will be focusing on the fiction genre of folk literature. Students will be learning about myths, native oral histories, legends, folk tales, fairy tales, and fables. We will also review story elements throughout this unit.  

At the end of this unit, we will be doing a CIA project with Mr. Gatzmeyer's social studies class, where students will have to write a travel narrative to go along with their project.