- Unit 1: The Short Story
- Unit 2: Nonfiction
- Unit 3: Poetry
- Unit 4: Drama
- Unit 5: The Novel
- Unit 6: The Epic
Unit 1: The Short Story
This unit focuses on reading and responding to a variety of short stories,
both classic and contemporary, and applying a variety of reading and
comprehension strategies. The development of compositions that interpret and
analyze short story elements and the use of self-assessment and peer review
to edit preliminary drafts and produce final products are essential elements
of this unit. Written responses to a variety of writing prompts in a
journal/learning log; grammar instruction differentiated for students�
specific needs; independent reading instruction and monitoring; definition
of vocabulary words within the context of the literature and appropriate use
of the words in self-generated sentences; and listing of important literary
terms are ongoing.
Unit 2: Nonfiction
This unit focuses on reading and responding to nonfiction literature and
applying a variety of reading and comprehension strategies. In addition, the
writing activities require analysis and application of different aspects of
nonfiction literature and an examination of its relationship to real-life
experiences. The ongoing activities addressed in Unit 1 will continue.
Unit 3: Poetry
Essential components of this unit include the analysis of the effects of
literary elements and devices common to the genre of poetry; the development
of paragraphs, essays, letters, and poems that address various elements of
poetry; and the linking of these elements to real-life experiences. Ongoing
activities such as reading independently, responding to a variety of writing
prompts in a journal/learning log, defining and applying vocabulary,
constructing literary terms list(s), and studying grammar/usage through mini-
lessons will continue.
Unit 4: Drama
The essential goals of this unit are to interpret and to analyze various
dramatic works. Other critical goals are to develop well-supported responses
to texts and to analyze the distinctive characteristics of the genre. An
analysis of dramatic conventions and a study of the effects of the literary
devices used in dramatic works are included in this unit. Development of
vocabulary by defining words within the context of the literature and using
words appropriately in self-generated sentences will continue.
Unit 5: The Novel
This unit focuses on reading and responding to the novel and applying a
variety of reading and comprehension strategies. Through a range of
activities, students will analyze the characteristics of the novel and will
develop a variety of compositions that address aspects of the literature
and/or their relationships to real-life experiences. Students will continue
developing vocabulary by defining words within the context of the literature
and using words appropriately in self-generated sentences.
Unit 6: The Epic
This unit focuses on detailed analysis of traditional and contemporary epics
and the relationship between the struggles of fictional characters and real-
life situations. In ongoing activities, students will respond to a variety
of writing prompts in a journal, define and use vocabulary words within the
context of the literature, and construct a list of important literary terms.