Enduring Understandings

 

  • Several groups of immigrants came to North America and wrote literature that recorded their experiences.
  • In the late 1700s, the United States began to develop its own independent literature.
  • During the 1800s, several nontraditional authors helped the United States to establish its unique literary voice.
  • In the late 1800s, the division in American is evidenced in literature.
  • Authors use numerous devices and elements to create literature.
  • Readers apply several skills and strategies to understand texts.
  • Writers utilize a process to develop quality pieces of writing.
  • Writing can be used to effectively inform and persuade readers.
  • Knowledge of grammar and vocabulary can assist a person in communicating more effectively.

 

 

Essential Questions

 

  • What were the experiences of the groups of people who first immigrated to the United States?
  • How did the United States begin to develop its own literature?
  • How did authors help to establish America’s unique literary voice?
  • How was the division of the country (during the Civil War) evidenced in literature?
  • How do authors use elements and devices to create literature?
  • How do readers use independent reading skills and strategies to comprehend texts?
  • How does a person utilize a process to develop quality pieces of writing?
  • How does a person inform and persuade readers through writing?
  • How does knowledge of vocabulary and grammar skills help a person to communicate more effectively?


Content Topics

 

Unit 1

A Fresh Start

 

Unit 2

The Struggle for Independence

 

Unit 3

The American Voice

 

Unit 4

Vocabulary, grammar/writing, independent reading strategies

 

 

Key Skills

 

  • Applying reading skills and strategies to comprehend texts
  • Using knowledge of elements and devices to comprehend texts
  • Developing quality pieces of writing
  • Using knowledge of grammar skills to improve sentence variety
  • Using knowledge of vocabulary to comprehend texts
  • Understanding how literature reflects history
  • How does knowledge of vocabulary and grammar skills help a person to communicate more effectively?

 

 

Assessments

 

  • Computer scored multiple choice tests
  • Open-ended response questions
  • Essays and other writing assignments
  • Journals- Multi- media projects- Discussion threads
  • Graphic Organizers

 

 

Standards

 

PA Standards (abbreviated)

    • 1.1.11 Learning to Read Independently (C - E, G)
    • 1.2.11 Reading Critically in All Content Areas (A)
    • 1.3.11 Reading, Analyzing, and Interpreting Literature (A - D, F)
    • 1.4.11 Types of Writing (A, C)1.5.11 Qualities of Writing (A – F)
    • 1.7.11 Characteristics and Functions of the English Language (A – C)

 

NCTE Standards (abbreviated)

    • 1 -6,
    • 8 – 9,
    • 11 – 12