Unit 3: Effects of Power

Time Frame:  9 Weeks

 

ELA > Grade 8 > Unit 3

Unit Description

Using World War II and the Holocaust as background, this unit emphasizes the impact a few in power can have on the masses. Students will analyze speeches and events in history to understand human nature.  They will distinguish between the characteristics of a novel and the structure of a play.   The play, The Diary of Anne Frank,  and the novel, The Devil’s Arithmetic, will be read during this unit.  Students will conduct in-depth research to generate a written or visual presentation of the effects of power and persuasion and reflect on how history affects our present day society.  A grammar study will include:   predicate nominative, predicate adjectives, gerunds, participles, infinitives, independent and dependent clause. 

Enduring Understandings

·         Power can enhance or corrupt.

·         I am influenced by the social structure under which I live.

·         Cultures are sustained by being responsive to the needs of all members.

·         There is a basic need in most cultures for fairness in society.

 

Essential Questions

·         How can power affect a leader? What makes a good leader?

·         Why does what others do and expect impact me? How is my thinking shaped by my family and community environment?

·         What obligations do I have for the problems of other groups of people?

·         What is the difference between justice and revenge? What is the difference between justice and mercy?

GLEs:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46

Assessments

·       Performance Task

·       LCC Unit Assessments

·       LEAP Practice