Use this Teaching Unit as a foundation for cohesive, connected literature study, or choose any question, prompt, or activity as a standalone lesson component to integrate with existing plans.

The below timeline is only a suggestion; this unit can be adapted to any classroom pace. If your class is suited to a different speed, consider these suggestions while subtracting or adding your own materials at your discretion:

• Before Reading (Days 1-3), During Reading (Days 3-17), After Reading (Days 18-23)
• Before Reading (Day 1), During Reading (Days 3-7), After Reading (Days 8-9)

BEFORE-READING (Days 1-2):

-Draw students in with historical/social/cultural “Pre-reading Context” questions.

-Invite students to make personal connections with warm-up “Thought and Response Prompts.”

DURING-READING (Days 3-12):

-Promote student engagement and assess comprehension with “Reading Check and Short Answer Questions.”

-Connect short “Paired Text/Resources” for analysis through free-writing or discussion.

AFTER-READING (Days 13-15)

-Assess students’ grasp of overall work with “Cumulative Exam” questions.

-Ensure students’ understanding and enjoyment of text with “Activities” for all learning types.

-Stretch students’ critical thinking and writing skills with differentiated “Essay Topics.”

STANDARDS FULFILLED by this Teaching Unit:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1 (Make logical inferences; cite textual evidence in writing or speaking.)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2 (Determine/analyze central ideas or themes of a text.)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3 Analyze development of individuals/events/ideas throughout a text.