Unit 2: That’s a Novel Idea!

Time Frame:  9 Weeks

 

 

ELA > Grade 8 > Unit 2

Unit Description

This unit focuses on reading, comprehending, interpreting, and analyzing a longer work of fiction through a variety of comprehension strategies and writing modes. Fiction elements of character, setting, plot/subplots, point of view, and theme are identified and analyzed; and a comparison/contrast of narrative elements is included. Writing text-supported responses provides an opportunity for student application of a writing process. Participation in ongoing literature groups allows for the development of social skills. Vocabulary development and grammar instruction occur within the context of the literature and student writing.

 

Enduring Understandings

·         Growth and change are  meaningful parts of life.

·         My judgment in difficult situations may be either impaired or enhanced by my relationships.

·         Friendship can withstand internal and external conflicts.

Essential Questions

·         How do growth and change enrich my life? Complicate it?

·         How do my relationships with others affect my life? How do my relationships influence my decisions?

·         How do individuals with different values remain friends?

·         How can external pressures divide people? How do my friendships withstand challenges?

GLEs: 

Content Questions

·         How do various types of characters interactions and conflicts affect the plot of a story?

·         How do authors pace the action, use setting and character development, and conflict to keep a story interesting?

·         How does point of view (first person, third person, or third person omniscient) and voice affect a story?

·         What is theme, and how is it developed in a story?

·         What are universal themes, and how do they develop in different stories by the same author? By different authors?

Assessments

·       Performance Task

·       Performance Task Rubric

·       LCC Unit Assessments

·       LEAP Practice