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Reading & ELA Hub

Florida LAFS-aligned lessons, activities, and quizzes for grades 4-8

Standards: LAFS.4-8.RL, LAFS.4-8.RI, LAFS.4-8.W, LAFS.4-8.L
Lower Level (4-6)
Upper Level (7-8)

September

Unit 1 - Reading Strategies & Literary Elements
Week 1 - Active Reading Strategies
TueIntroduce annotation (underline main ideas, ? for confusion, ! for surprise, circle unfamiliar words); model with short passage
WedWorkshop: annotate nonfiction article independently; share and discuss margin notes
ThuComprehension check; set personal reading goals for the year
Lesson: Annotation = leaving a conversation with the text. Predicting: use title, headings, bold text. Questioning: WHO, WHAT, WHY, HOW as you read.

Week 1 Quiz

Q1: What is the main purpose of annotation?

Q2: What is the best source for making a prediction?

Q3: The questioning strategy asks readers to ask:

Q4: Which is the best reason to annotate a passage?

Q5: A personal reading goal should be:

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Week 2 - Story Elements
TuePlot diagram (exposition/rising action/climax/falling action/resolution); identify in a short story
WedCharacter types (protagonist, antagonist, round, flat, static, dynamic); character web
ThuConflict types (person vs person/nature/self/society); short writing response
Lesson: Plot drives the story forward. Conflict = the central struggle. Characters can be dynamic (change) or static (stay same).

Week 2 Quiz

Q1: The climax of a story is:

Q2: A protagonist is:

Q3: "Person vs. self" conflict means:

Q4: A dynamic character:

Q5: The exposition of a story:

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Week 3 - Point of View and Narrator's Perspective
Tue1st person vs 3rd person limited vs omniscient; examples from familiar texts
WedSame scene in different POVs; how POV controls information available to reader
ThuPOV identification quiz + write a short scene from 2 POVs
Lesson: 1st person: I/me, inside one character. 3rd limited: he/she, access to one character's thoughts. 3rd omniscient: narrator knows all characters' thoughts.

Week 3 Quiz

Q1: First-person narration uses:

Q2: Third-person omniscient means:

Q3: Point of view most affects what information:

Q4: An unreliable narrator is one who:

Q5: Which POV creates the most intimate connection with one character?

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Week 4 - Main Idea and Supporting Details
TueFinding main idea in paragraphs and chapters; vs theme in fiction
WedIdentifying supporting details; relevant vs irrelevant details
ThuSummary writing - main idea + key details in 3-5 sentences
Lesson: Main idea = what the text is mostly about. Supporting details prove or explain it. Theme = the lesson of a story (different from main idea). A summary: main idea + 2-3 key details.

Week 4 Quiz

Q1: The main idea of a text is:

Q2: Supporting details:

Q3: A theme in fiction is:

Q4: A good summary includes:

Q5: The main idea is usually found:

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October

Unit 2 - Fiction & Narrative Writing
Week 1 - Short Story Analysis: Genre, Mood, Tone
TueGenre overview (realistic fiction, fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, historical fiction)
WedMood vs tone; author word choices create mood; annotate for tone words
ThuGenre identification activity + mood/tone analysis
Lesson: Mood = feeling in the reader. Tone = author's attitude. Word choice (diction) creates both.

Week 1 Quiz

Q1: Mood in a story refers to:

Q2: Tone is best described as:

Q3: Which creates mood and tone most directly?

Q4: Historical fiction is set:

Q5: Annotating for tone means:

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Week 2 - Character Analysis: STEAL Method
TueDirect vs indirect characterization; STEAL (Speech, Thoughts, Effect, Actions, Looks)
WedTracking character change; character motivation
ThuCharacter analysis paragraph with textual evidence
Lesson: Direct characterization = author tells you. Indirect = author shows through STEAL. Use textual evidence (quotes) to support analysis.

Week 2 Quiz

Q1: In the STEAL method, the E stands for:

Q2: Direct characterization means:

Q3: Indirect characterization shows character through:

Q4: Textual evidence means:

Q5: A character's motivation is:

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Week 3 - Narrative Writing: Story Arc & Show Don't Tell
TuePlanning a narrative: story mountain, character, conflict, setting
WedWorkshop: drafting opening scene + rising action (show don't tell)
ThuPeer feedback + revision; strong vs weak narrative openings
Lesson: Show don't tell: "Her hands shook" not "She was nervous." Strong verbs and sensory details show rather than explain emotions.

Week 3 Quiz

Q1: "Show don't tell" in writing means:

Q2: "Her hands shook" is an example of:

Q3: The story mountain includes:

Q4: Strong narrative openings:

Q5: Strong verbs in narrative writing:

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Week 4 - Descriptive Language & Sensory Details
TueSensory details (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch); adding them to flat writing
WedStrong verbs, specific nouns, precise adjectives
ThuDescriptive writing workshop: describe a location using all 5 senses
Lesson: Strong verbs do more work than adverbs: "sprinted" beats "ran very fast." Specific nouns: "Labrador" beats "dog." Sensory details put the reader inside the scene.

Week 4 Quiz

Q1: Sensory details appeal to:

Q2: "Sprinted" is better than "ran very fast" because:

Q3: Specific nouns improve writing because:

Q4: Sensory details in writing help the reader:

Q5: Which is the strongest opening for a descriptive paragraph?

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November

Unit 3 - Nonfiction & Informational Text
Week 1 - Nonfiction Text Features
TueSurvey nonfiction using features before reading; preview and predict
WedPurpose of headings, captions, sidebars, glossary, index
ThuText feature scavenger hunt + response
Lesson: Text features are the roadmap of nonfiction. Use them BEFORE reading to build context.

Week 1 Quiz

Q1: The primary purpose of text features in nonfiction is:

Q2: You should use text features:

Q3: A glossary in a nonfiction book:

Q4: Headings in nonfiction help readers:

Q5: A caption is:

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Week 2 - Text Structures
TueIdentify 5 text structures; signal words (however=compare, because=cause)
WedGraphic organizers (Venn, cause/effect chart, timeline)
ThuIdentify structure in 3 passages; write using one structure
Lesson: Signal words unlock structure. Compare: similarly, however. Cause/effect: because, therefore. Sequence: first, next, finally.

Week 2 Quiz

Q1: "Because" and "therefore" are signal words for:

Q2: "Similarly" and "however" are signal words for:

Q3: A Venn diagram is best used to organize:

Q4: "First, next, then, finally" are signal words for:

Q5: Identifying text structure helps readers:

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Week 3 - Research Skills: Finding & Evaluating Sources
TuePrimary vs secondary sources; .gov vs .edu vs .com credibility
WedCRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose)
ThuEvaluate 3 sample sources; select best and justify
Lesson: CRAAP: Is it Current? Relevant? Authoritative? Accurate? What's the Purpose?

Week 3 Quiz

Q1: A primary source is:

Q2: In the CRAAP test, the A for Authority means:

Q3: A .gov website is generally considered:

Q4: Currency in evaluating a source means:

Q5: The Purpose in CRAAP asks:

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Week 4 - Informational Writing: TEE Paragraph Structure
TueTEE (Topic, Evidence, Explanation); model + practice
WedDraft 2 informational paragraphs with cited evidence
ThuPeer review + revise for clarity
Lesson: TEE: Topic sentence states main idea, Evidence proves it, Explanation analyzes HOW evidence proves the point. The Explanation is most important.

Week 4 Quiz

Q1: In a TEE paragraph, the T stands for:

Q2: The Evidence in a TEE paragraph should:

Q3: The most important part of a TEE paragraph is:

Q4: Peer review helps writers:

Q5: Revising for clarity means:

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December 2026 Unit 4: Poetry
Unit 4 · Poetry
Tuesday
Parts of a poem; line breaks create meaning; rhyme schemes (ABAB, AABB)
Wednesday
Rhythm and meter; stressed/unstressed syllables
Thursday
Identify elements in 3 poems; annotate for structure

A stanza is a group of lines - like a paragraph in a poem. Line breaks are intentional choices that create meaning and emphasis. ABAB rhyme scheme means lines 1 and 3 rhyme, and lines 2 and 4 rhyme. Rhythm gives poetry its musical quality through patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables.

Quiz Week 1 Check-In

A stanza in poetry is:

An ABAB rhyme scheme means:

Line breaks in poetry are:

Rhythm in poetry refers to:

Annotating a poem for structure means:

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📚 Activity: Poetry Elements Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Define all 5 figurative language types; examples from famous poems
Wednesday
Create original examples; choose best type for different ideas
Thursday
Figurative language hunt in a full poem + analyze effect

Simile = comparison using like or as. Metaphor = direct comparison without like or as. Personification = giving human traits to non-human things. Hyperbole = extreme exaggeration for effect. Alliteration = repeating consonant sounds at the start of words.

Quiz Week 2 Check-In

A simile compares two things using:

"The wind whispered through the trees" is an example of:

Hyperbole is:

"Peter Piper picked a peck" uses:

A metaphor differs from a simile because it:

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📚 Activity: Figurative Language Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Identifying speaker (not always author); reading poems multiple times
Wednesday
Visual imagery; word choice creates mental pictures
Thursday
Full poem analysis: speaker, tone, imagery, theme, 2 devices

Tone = the speaker's attitude toward the subject. Imagery = sensory language that creates mental pictures. Read a poem 3 times: 1st for feel, 2nd for language, 3rd for meaning. Theme = the universal message the poem expresses.

Quiz Week 3 Check-In

The speaker of a poem is:

Imagery in poetry:

When analyzing a poem's tone, you should look at:

Reading a poem multiple times helps because:

A theme in poetry is:

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📚 Activity: Poetry Analysis Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Haiku (5-7-5, nature, juxtaposition); write 3 haiku
Wednesday
Free verse: no rules but strong word choice; write on personal topic
Thursday
Concrete/shape poem OR acrostic; share with class

Haiku: 5-7-5 syllables, includes a seasonal word (kigo). Free verse: the freedom of no rules means you are responsible for every word choice. All poetic forms teach intentional language use.

Quiz Week 4 Check-In

A haiku has:

Free verse poetry:

An acrostic poem:

The "kigo" in haiku tradition refers to:

Writing in different poetic forms teaches:

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📚 Activity: Poetry Forms Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

January 2027 Unit 5: Grammar & Language Mechanics
Unit 5 · Grammar & Language Mechanics
Tuesday
All 8 parts of speech; noun vs pronoun, verb vs verbal
Wednesday
Parts of speech in context from literature
Thursday
Parts of speech sort + create specific sentences

Every word has a job. Nouns = people, places, things, or ideas. Verbs = action or state of being. Adjectives describe nouns. Adverbs modify verbs (-ly often signals an adverb). Pronouns replace nouns. Conjunctions connect. Prepositions show relationships. Interjections express emotion.

Quiz Week 1 Check-In

An adjective modifies:

A pronoun is:

"Running" in "Running is fun" functions as:

Adverbs typically answer questions like:

An interjection is:

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📚 Activity: Parts of Speech Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Independent vs dependent clauses
Wednesday
Compound (FANBOYS) and complex (subordinating conjunctions) sentences
Thursday
Sentence combining; eliminate run-ons and fragments

FANBOYS = For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. These are coordinating conjunctions that join two independent clauses. Subordinating conjunctions (because, although, when, since) create dependent clauses. Mixing sentence types makes writing more engaging.

Quiz Week 2 Check-In

An independent clause:

FANBOYS is a memory device for:

A complex sentence contains:

A sentence fragment is:

Sentence variety in writing means:

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📚 Activity: Sentence Structure Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Comma rules: lists, compound sentences, introductory clauses, appositives
Wednesday
Apostrophes (possession vs contraction); semicolons and colons
Thursday
Proofreading passage; correct and explain each error

Apostrophe possession: add 's after a singular noun, just ' after plural nouns ending in s. Semicolons join closely related independent clauses without a conjunction. Commas set off introductory clauses and appositives (nouns that rename the noun beside them).

Quiz Week 3 Check-In

A comma is used in a compound sentence:

"It's" is a contraction for:

A semicolon connects:

The possessive form of "the dog" belonging to "James" is:

An appositive is:

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📚 Activity: Punctuation Rules Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Latin/Greek roots: bio, geo, graph, phon, port, rupt, scrib
Wednesday
Prefixes (un, re, dis, pre) and suffixes (tion, ness, ful, less, able)
Thursday
Vocabulary in context: surrounding words to determine meaning

Decode unfamiliar words by breaking them into prefix + root + suffix. "Bio" = life (biology), "Phon" = sound (phonics), "Graph" = write or draw (autograph). Context clues: look at the words before and after the unknown word to determine its meaning.

Quiz Week 4 Check-In

The root "bio" means:

The prefix "un-" means:

The suffix "-tion" typically creates:

Context clues help readers:

The root "graph" means:

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📚 Activity: Word Parts Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

February 2027 Unit 6: Persuasion & Opinion Writing
Unit 6 · Persuasion & Opinion Writing
Tuesday
Identify purpose in 5 text excerpts (news, ad, story, poem, speech)
Wednesday
How purpose affects structure, word choice, included information
Thursday
Write on same topic with 3 different purposes

PIE = Persuade, Inform, Entertain. Persuasive texts are strong-opinion and one-sided. Informational texts are neutral and balanced. Entertainment texts use narrative and vivid language. A text can serve multiple purposes at once - a speech can inform AND persuade.

Quiz Week 1 Check-In

In PIE, what does the I stand for?

A persuasive text is typically:

Author's purpose affects:

A news article's primary purpose is usually to:

A text can have multiple purposes because:

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📚 Activity: Author's Purpose Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Types of evidence: statistics, expert quotes, anecdotes, examples
Wednesday
Emotional appeals (pathos): feelings in persuasion
Thursday
Identify techniques in 3 ads or speeches; evaluate effectiveness

Strong arguments use multiple types of evidence. Watch for logical fallacies: ad hominem (attacking the person), bandwagon (everyone else is doing it), and straw man (misrepresenting the other side). Pathos = emotional appeal, Logos = logical appeal.

Quiz Week 2 Check-In

An anecdote used as evidence is:

Pathos in persuasion refers to:

The "bandwagon" fallacy suggests you should:

An ad hominem fallacy:

Strong persuasive arguments:

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📚 Activity: Persuasive Techniques Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Structure: hook, claim, body (reason+evidence), rebuttal, conclusion
Wednesday
Draft opinion paragraph on school topic with 2 pieces of evidence
Thursday
Adding rebuttal; acknowledging other side strengthens YOUR argument

A strong claim is specific and debatable. Rebuttal: acknowledge the strongest counterargument, then refute it specifically - this actually strengthens your credibility. A hook grabs the reader's attention from the first sentence.

Quiz Week 3 Check-In

A strong opinion claim is:

A rebuttal in opinion writing:

Acknowledging the other side of an argument:

A hook in opinion writing:

A conclusion in opinion writing should:

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📚 Activity: Opinion Writing Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Fact (verifiable) vs opinion (judgment); recognizing loaded language
Wednesday
Types of bias; identify author's slant
Thursday
Evaluate two op-eds on same topic; identify facts, opinions, bias

Facts can be proven or verified. Opinions are judgments that cannot be proven true or false. Loaded language has strong emotional connotations designed to influence. Bias = favoring one side. Always ask: what perspectives are missing from this account?

Quiz Week 4 Check-In

A fact is:

Loaded language in persuasion:

Bias in a text means:

An opinion differs from a fact because:

When evaluating an argument for bias you should ask:

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📚 Activity: Media Literacy Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

March 2027 Unit 7: Novel Study - Hatchet
Unit 7 · Novel Study: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Tuesday
Gary Paulsen background + survival genre; chapters 1-2 plane crash setup
Wednesday
Chapters 3-4: Brian stranded; describe setting; inventory what Brian has
Thursday
Reading check + character profile of Brian

In survival stories, the setting IS the conflict. The Canadian wilderness is vast and indifferent to Brian's survival. Paulsen uses detailed sensory description to put the reader directly inside Brian's frightening situation. Brian carries a secret about his parents that haunts him throughout.

Quiz Week 1 Check-In

At the start of Hatchet, Brian is traveling by:

The hatchet in the story was:

The Canadian wilderness setting functions as:

Gary Paulsen's use of sensory detail:

The "Secret" Brian carries refers to:

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📚 Activity: Hatchet Elements Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Chapters 6-8: first attempts at food/shelter; failure and persistence
Wednesday
Chapters 9-10: porcupine + fire discovery; turning point in survival
Thursday
Chapters 11-12: "Tough Hope"; theme of resilience

Paulsen shows survival learning through a cycle: failure + observation + adaptation + success. "Tough Hope" = determined persistence despite difficulty. Brian discovers fire by striking his hatchet against stone - the hatchet becomes more than a tool, it becomes his lifeline.

Quiz Week 2 Check-In

Brian's first attempts at finding food and shelter:

Brian discovers fire by:

"Tough Hope" in Hatchet means:

The porcupine encounter teaches Brian:

The theme of resilience in Hatchet is shown through:

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📚 Activity: Hatchet Survival Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Chapters 13-15: moose attack + tornado; how setbacks test Brian's growth
Wednesday
Chapters 16-17: diving for survival pack; Brian's hesitation
Thursday
Rescue; what changed in Brian; why ending feels triumphant and incomplete

The climax = the moment of greatest tension. The tornado destroys everything Brian built - but leads directly to him finding the survival pack. Find textual evidence (specific quotes or references) showing Brian's growth from helpless city kid to capable survivor.

Quiz Week 3 Check-In

The tornado in Hatchet:

The climax of Hatchet involves:

Brian's character growth by the end of Hatchet is best shown by:

The ending of Hatchet feels both triumphant and incomplete because:

Textual evidence means:

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📚 Activity: Novel Study Terms Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Two themes: survival/resilience AND coming-of-age/self-discovery; find evidence for each
Wednesday
Paulsen's craft: sensory detail, internal monologue; analyze favorite passage
Thursday
Final response: How did Brian change? What does novel say about human adaptability?

Theme vs plot: plot = WHAT happens, theme = WHAT IT MEANS. Hatchet themes: capability under necessity; self-knowledge through adversity; nature is indifferent. Internal monologue shows Brian's thoughts from the inside, creating intimacy with his struggle.

Quiz Week 4 Check-In

The difference between plot and theme is:

Internal monologue in Hatchet:

"Nature is indifferent" as a Hatchet theme means:

Coming-of-age as a theme in Hatchet means:

Author's craft refers to:

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📚 Activity: Author's Craft Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

April 2027 Unit 8: Research & Expository Writing
Unit 8 · Research & Expository Writing
Tuesday
Narrowing broad topics: Animals - Endangered Animals - Florida Panther Recovery
Wednesday
School databases vs Google; keyword search strategies; finding 3 sources
Thursday
Source credibility check; create source log

A good research topic is specific enough to focus your paper but broad enough to find multiple sources. Keyword strategy: use quotation marks for exact phrases, use site:gov to filter for government sources. A source log tracks where you found information and key quotes.

Quiz Week 1 Check-In

A good research topic is:

Narrowing a topic means:

Using quotation marks in a search engine:

A source log helps researchers:

School databases are generally preferred over Google because:

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📚 Activity: Research Skills Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Cornell notes for research; color-coding by source
Wednesday
Paraphrasing vs quoting; how to paraphrase correctly
Thursday
Plagiarism types (deliberate, unintentional, mosaic); MLA citation basics

Mosaic plagiarism = changing a few words but keeping the original structure. The safest way to paraphrase: read the source, close it, then write from memory in your own words. Use direct quotes for definitions or especially powerful statements.

Quiz Week 2 Check-In

Mosaic plagiarism means:

The safest way to paraphrase is to:

When should you use a direct quote?

MLA citation format helps:

Unintentional plagiarism:

📄 Download Lesson PDF

📚 Activity: Research Ethics Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Essay structure: hook, background, thesis, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion
Wednesday
Workshop: draft introduction + thesis + 1 body paragraph
Thursday
Transitions between paragraphs; signal words for expository writing

Thesis formula: [Topic] + [what you argue] + [why it matters]. Body paragraph formula: topic sentence + evidence + analysis + transition. Use signal words: "Furthermore," "In contrast," "This evidence demonstrates..." to guide the reader through your argument.

Quiz Week 3 Check-In

A thesis statement in an expository essay:

Transition words between paragraphs:

A body paragraph in an expository essay includes:

The introduction of an expository essay moves:

"Furthermore" and "In contrast" are examples of:

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📚 Activity: Essay Structure Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Big-picture revision: thesis, evidence quality, logical flow
Wednesday
Sentence-level editing: grammar, punctuation, word choice
Thursday
Peer review protocol + final polish; read aloud to catch errors

Revision = re-seeing the big picture (argument, evidence, flow). Editing = correcting surface errors (grammar, punctuation). Order matters: always revise BEFORE you edit. Reading aloud catches errors your eyes automatically skip over.

Quiz Week 4 Check-In

Revision focuses on:

Editing focuses on:

The correct order of writing process steps is:

Reading your writing aloud helps:

Peer review gives writers:

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📚 Activity: Writing Process Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

May 2027 Unit 9: Portfolio & Showcase
Unit 9 · Portfolio & Showcase
Tuesday
What makes work portfolio-worthy? Select 3 pieces from the year
Wednesday
Reflection letters per piece: what worked, what you'd revise, what you learned
Thursday
Portfolio organization + presentation planning

A portfolio is a curated argument about your growth as a reader and writer. Select work showing RANGE (different types), EFFORT (challenging pieces), and GROWTH (compare early to late year). Reflection letters are the most important part - they show your thinking about your thinking.

Quiz Week 1 Check-In

A portfolio is best described as:

When selecting portfolio pieces, you should choose work that shows:

A reflection letter for a portfolio piece should explain:

The most important element of a portfolio is:

Portfolio organization should:

📄 Download Lesson PDF

📚 Activity: Portfolio Terms Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Final grammar sweep: comma splices, run-ons, apostrophe, subject-verb agreement
Wednesday
Style: eliminate wordiness, strengthen verbs, vary sentence length
Thursday
Formatting: clean headers, consistent font, proper heading if applicable

Wordiness kills clarity. "Due to the fact that" = just say "Because." Cut every unnecessary word. Final coherence check: read only your thesis and topic sentences - do they alone tell a logical, connected story?

Quiz Week 2 Check-In

A comma splice is:

Wordiness in writing:

"Due to the fact that" should be replaced with:

Subject-verb agreement means:

The final check of thesis plus topic sentences tests:

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📚 Activity: Final Editing Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

Tuesday
Presentation skills: voice projection, eye contact, pacing, using notes
Wednesday
Practice presentations in small groups; delivery feedback
Thursday
Reading Celebration: share favorite books + passages; reflect on year's growth

Great presentations: speak slowly, make eye contact with different people, pause for emphasis. Know your material well enough to speak TO the audience, not read AT your notes. The Reading Celebration is a chance to honor what you discovered about yourself as a reader this year.

Quiz Week 3 Check-In

The most important element of a strong oral presentation is:

Voice projection in a presentation means:

Pausing for emphasis in a presentation:

Practice presentations in small groups help speakers:

A reading celebration helps the class:

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📚 Activity: Presentation Skills Match

Click a term, then click its match. Match all 5 pairs!

September 2026 Unit 1 · Literary Analysis & Close Reading
Unit 1 · Literary Analysis & Close Reading
Week 1 Close Reading Strategies - Annotation, Evidence, Inference
Lesson: Analysis moves from WHAT to HOW to WHY. Mark evidence of theme (T), literary devices (LD), important word choices (WC), confusion (?).
Tue Close reading protocol: 3 readings (feel, language, meaning)
Wed Annotation for analysis: theme markers, literary devices, word choices, questions
Thu Close read a poem or short prose; annotate + analytical paragraph

1. Close reading differs from regular reading because:

2. In analytical annotation, marking (T) indicates:

3. The three-reading protocol moves from:

4. An analytical paragraph moves from evidence to:

5. Literary analysis focuses primarily on:

Match the Term
annotation
inference
analysis
literary device
close reading
notes made during reading to track meaning
conclusion drawn from evidence not stated directly
examining HOW and WHY a text creates meaning
technique an author uses to create effect
careful re-reading focused on language and meaning
Week 2 Literary Devices - Foreshadowing, Irony, Allusion, Symbol, Motif
Lesson: Foreshadowing=hints of what's to come. Dramatic irony=reader knows what character doesn't. Symbols carry meaning beyond literal significance.
Tue Define foreshadowing, dramatic irony, situational irony, verbal irony
Wed Allusion (biblical, historical, mythological) and symbolism; layers of meaning
Thu Find 3 devices in a short story; analytical paragraph with evidence

1. Dramatic irony occurs when:

2. An allusion is:

3. A motif in a literary text is:

4. Situational irony occurs when:

5. Foreshadowing creates:

Match the Term
foreshadowing
dramatic irony
allusion
symbol
motif
early hints of what will happen later
reader knows what character does not
reference to another text event or figure
object or image representing something beyond itself
recurring element that develops the theme
Week 3 Thematic Analysis - Universal Themes Across Texts
Lesson: Theme statement: [universal subject] + [what the text says about it]. Avoid "The theme is about..." Use "The theme reveals that..."
Tue Theme vs topic (topic: loss; theme: loss is part of growth)
Wed Tracking theme through evidence across a text
Thu Compare a theme in two texts using parallel evidence

1. The difference between topic and theme is:

2. A strong theme statement:

3. Tracking theme through a text means:

4. The phrase "The theme reveals that..." is preferred because:

5. Comparing themes across two texts reveals:

Match the Term
topic
theme
thematic evidence
theme statement
comparative analysis
the subject a text explores (ex: loss, power, identity)
universal insight about the human condition
passages that develop the theme's argument
complete sentence expressing the universal insight
examining how two texts treat the same theme
Week 4 Comparative Analysis - Two Texts Side by Side
Lesson: Point-by-point weaves texts per criterion. Block covers each text then synthesizes. Strongest comparison explains what differences MEAN.
Tue Point-by-point vs block structure for comparative writing
Wed Develop comparison thesis: what does comparison reveal?
Thu Draft comparative analytical paragraph (parallel evidence + analysis)

1. Point-by-point comparative structure:

2. A comparative thesis should explain:

3. The strongest comparative analyses:

4. Block structure in comparative writing:

5. Parallel evidence in comparative analysis means:

Match the Term
point-by-point
block structure
comparative thesis
parallel evidence
synthesis
weaving both texts together around each criterion
covering each text fully before synthesizing
claim about what both texts reveal together
comparable evidence from each text
combining insights from multiple sources into new understanding
October 2026 Unit 2 · American Literature Survey
Unit 2 · American Literature Survey
Week 1 Colonial & Revolutionary Era - Bradford, Jefferson, Paine
Lesson: Puritan: plain style, providential worldview. Revolutionary: Enlightenment ideals, rational argument. Historical context matters.
Tue Puritan worldview, plain style; Of Plymouth Plantation excerpts
Wed Declaration of Independence: ethos, logos, structure; why it still resonates
Thu Compare Puritan plain style to Jefferson's rhetoric

1. The Puritan plain style is characterized by:

2. The Declaration of Independence uses ethos by:

3. Historical context in literary analysis helps readers:

4. The Enlightenment ideals in the Declaration emphasize:

5. "Of Plymouth Plantation" by Bradford is primarily:

Match the Term
Puritan plain style
Enlightenment
ethos
Declaration of Independence
historical context
simple direct language reflecting moral focus
era emphasizing reason, natural rights and rational thought
rhetorical appeal based on speaker credibility
Enlightenment document asserting natural rights
background knowledge needed to understand a text
Week 2 Romanticism & Transcendentalism - Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman
Lesson: Transcendentalism: individual and nature inherently good; society corrupts. Key: self-reliance, direct experience, oversoul.
Tue Reaction against Enlightenment; value of nature, intuition, individual
Wed Emerson "Self-Reliance" excerpts: trust yourself, nonconformity
Thu Thoreau's Walden + Whitman's "Song of Myself": Transcendentalist ideals

1. Transcendentalism argues that:

2. Emerson's "Self-Reliance" argues for:

3. Thoreau's experiment at Walden Pond was meant to:

4. The Transcendentalist concept of the "oversoul" refers to:

5. Whitman's "Song of Myself" is considered Transcendentalist because:

Match the Term
self-reliance
oversoul
Transcendentalism
Romanticism
nonconformity
trusting individual instinct over social conformity
universal spiritual force connecting all living things
movement valuing nature, individual and direct experience
movement valuing emotion, nature and individual imagination
refusing to follow social expectations
Week 3 American Realism & Naturalism - Twain, Chopin, Crane
Lesson: Realism: ordinary people, psychological complexity, social criticism. Naturalism: characters determined by heredity, environment, chance. Universe is indifferent.
Tue Post-Civil War disillusionment; Realism vs Romanticism
Wed Chopin "The Story of an Hour" close read: irony, theme, historical context
Thu Crane "The Open Boat" excerpt: naturalism; compare themes

1. American Realism differs from Romanticism by focusing on:

2. The central irony in Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" is:

3. Naturalism in literature argues that characters:

4. "The universe is indifferent" is a core belief of:

5. Historical context is essential for understanding Chopin's story because:

Match the Term
Realism
Naturalism
situational irony
psychological complexity
social criticism
focus on ordinary people and social criticism
characters shaped by heredity, environment and chance
outcome is opposite to what was expected
depicting inner thoughts and contradictions of characters
using literature to critique society
Week 4 Harlem Renaissance - Hughes, Hurston, Cullen
Lesson: Harlem Renaissance = cultural rebellion. Double consciousness: living as both American and Black. Hughes's "Harlem" is one of the most economical powerful poems in American literature.
Tue Context: Great Migration, Harlem as cultural center, Du Bois double consciousness
Wed Langston Hughes poems: close read for imagery and hope/tension
Thu Zora Neale Hurston prose style; Countee Cullen; Renaissance's legacy

1. "Double consciousness" as described by Du Bois means:

2. The Harlem Renaissance was:

3. Hughes's poem "Harlem" asks:

4. Zora Neale Hurston's prose style is notable for:

5. The Great Migration refers to:

Match the Term
double consciousness
Great Migration
Harlem Renaissance
dialect
deferred dream
Du Bois concept of living with two identities in tension
movement of Black Americans from South to Northern cities
1920s flowering of Black art, music and literature
regional or cultural variety of a language
Hughes metaphor for an aspiration that has been delayed
November 2026 Unit 3 · Argumentative Writing
Unit 3 · Argumentative Writing
Week 1 Argument Structure - Toulmin Model (Claim, Grounds, Warrant, Rebuttal)
Lesson: The warrant is the unstated assumption connecting evidence to claim - often where arguments fail. Acknowledge the strongest counterargument in your rebuttal.
Tue Toulmin model components; evaluate 2 arguments using it
Wed Identify missing warrants (logical gaps)
Thu Develop a complete Toulmin argument on a current issue

1. In the Toulmin model, the warrant is:

2. Grounds in the Toulmin model refers to:

3. Why do arguments often fail at the warrant level?

4. A strong rebuttal acknowledges:

5. The Toulmin model is useful because:

Match the Term
claim
grounds
warrant
rebuttal
qualifier
the main argument or position being defended
evidence or data supporting the claim
unstated assumption connecting evidence to claim
acknowledging and responding to the counterargument
language that limits the scope of the claim (usually/often/in most cases)
Week 2 Evidence & Reasoning - Integrating Quotations (ICE Method)
Lesson: ICE: Introduce (name + credential + verb), Cite (quote or paraphrase), Explain (analyze significance). The explanation is most important.
Tue Types of evidence: empirical data, expert testimony, case studies, reasoning
Wed ICE method (Introduce, Cite, Explain); never drop a quote
Thu Rank 5 pieces of evidence for a claim; justify ranking

1. A "dropped quote" in an essay is:

2. In the ICE method, the I stands for:

3. The Explain step in ICE is most important because:

4. Expert testimony is effective evidence because:

5. When ranking evidence for a claim, you should consider:

Match the Term
Introduce
Cite
Explain
dropped quote
empirical evidence
name, credential and verb before the quote
the actual quote or paraphrase from the source
analyze how the evidence proves your argument
evidence inserted without introduction or context
data or observations from research or experiment
Week 3 Drafting an Argumentative Essay
Lesson: Steel-manned rebuttal: present opposing argument at its STRONGEST before responding. This builds credibility. Conclusion: extend argument to larger implications.
Tue Structure: hook, context, thesis, body paragraphs, rebuttal paragraph, conclusion
Wed Workshop: draft introduction + thesis + 1 body paragraph with ICE evidence
Thu Rebuttal workshop: steelman the opposition, then refute specifically

1. A "steelmanned" rebuttal means:

2. The conclusion of an argumentative essay should:

3. A strong argumentative thesis:

4. The rebuttal paragraph strengthens your essay by:

5. Context in an argumentative introduction:

Match the Term
hook
context
thesis
steelman
rebuttal paragraph
attention-grabbing opening relevant to your argument
background that explains why the issue matters
specific debatable claim you will prove
presenting the opposition at its strongest before refuting
acknowledges and responds to the strongest counterargument
Week 4 Peer Review & Revision Workshop
Lesson: Not all feedback improves your writing. Evaluate: does this make my argument clearer or stronger? Own your argument; improve its execution.
Tue Revision framework: argument clarity, evidence quality, reasoning, counterargument
Wed Peer review protocol: 2 stars + 1 wish for thesis, evidence, counterargument
Thu Apply peer feedback; evaluate which to accept and why

1. The first priority in revision is:

2. The "2 stars + 1 wish" protocol means:

3. When evaluating peer feedback you should ask:

4. Argument clarity in revision means checking:

5. Owning your argument during revision means:

Match the Term
argument clarity
evidence quality
2 stars and 1 wish
steelmanning
revision priority
ease of following your claim and reasoning
strength and relevance of your supporting material
peer review protocol noting strengths and one improvement
presenting opposition at its strongest
big picture changes come before surface editing
December 2026 Unit 4 · World Literature & Poetry
Unit 4 · World Literature & Poetry
Week 1 World Poetry - Traditions Across Cultures (Ghazal, Haiku, Sonnet)
Lesson: Form is never neutral. Ghazal's radif creates meditative effect. Haiku's kigo connects personal to universal. Sonnet's volta mirrors logical argument.
Tue Ghazal (Persian/Arabic: couplets, radif, maqta), Haiku (kigo, juxtaposition), Sonnet (volta)
Wed Compare forms: what does each culture value in structure?
Thu Write a poem in a non-Western form; reflect on how form shaped meaning

1. The "volta" in a sonnet is:

2. The "radif" in a ghazal refers to:

3. The "kigo" in haiku tradition is:

4. "Form is never neutral" means:

5. Comparing poetic forms across cultures reveals:

Match the Term
ghazal
haiku
sonnet
radif
volta
Persian/Arabic form with couplets and repeated radif
Japanese form with 5-7-5 syllables and kigo
14-line form with volta or turn
repeated word or phrase at end of each ghazal couplet
turn or shift in argument or tone in a sonnet
Week 2 Narrative Poetry - Epic & Ballad Traditions
Lesson: Epic heroes embody their culture's ideals. Ballads were oral literature. Modern narrative poetry borrows traditions but subverts expectations.
Tue Epic conventions: hero, quest, divine intervention, in medias res; Odyssey excerpts
Wed Ballad form: ABCB rhyme, third-person narration, incremental repetition
Thu Modern narrative poetry; how it has evolved

1. "In medias res" means:

2. Ballads traditionally feature:

3. Epic heroes in their culture's literature:

4. Incremental repetition in ballads:

5. Modern narrative poetry often:

Match the Term
epic
in medias res
ballad
incremental repetition
epic hero
long narrative poem celebrating heroic deeds
beginning in the middle of the action
narrative folk poem with ABCB rhyme and repetition
lines repeated with slight variations to advance story
figure who embodies the values of their culture
Week 3 Contemporary World Literature - Adichie, Marquez or Lahiri
Lesson: Single story risk: misunderstanding and stereotyping. Magical realism: magical treated as mundane. Diaspora literature: belonging to two cultures simultaneously.
Tue Adichie "The Danger of a Single Story" TED Talk + excerpt; single stories and stereotypes
Wed Magical realism (Marquez) OR diaspora literature (Lahiri); identity and belonging
Thu Thematic comparison: what does world literature reveal about identity?

1. Adichie's "danger of a single story" warns against:

2. Magical realism treats the magical:

3. Diaspora literature explores:

4. A "single story" creates danger because:

5. World literature challenges readers by:

Match the Term
single story
magical realism
diaspora literature
stereotype
Adichie
one partial narrative wrongly representing an entire group
magical events treated as ordinary in realistic setting
writing exploring belonging to two cultures
oversimplified fixed image of a group
Nigerian author who warned of the danger of a single story
Week 4 Cross-Cultural Themes & Global Perspectives
Lesson: Literature allows you to inhabit perspectives different from your own. Empathy = imaginative inhabiting of another's experience. Reading across cultures reveals assumptions you didn't know you had.
Tue Common themes: identity, belonging, power, justice, tradition vs change
Wed How justice looks different in different literary traditions
Thu Synthesis discussion: what has world literature changed in your perspective?

1. Cross-cultural reading reveals:

2. Empathy in the context of literature means:

3. The theme of "tradition vs change" appears across world literature because:

4. Synthesizing world literature means:

5. "Justice" looks different across literary traditions because:

Match the Term
empathy
synthesis
cross-cultural reading
universal theme
cultural assumption
imaginative inhabiting of another person's perspective
combining insights from multiple sources into new understanding
examining literature from multiple cultural traditions
insight that appears across different cultures and times
belief held without examination that shapes how we see the world
January 2027 Unit 5 · Advanced Grammar & Academic Style
Unit 5 · Advanced Grammar & Academic Style
Week 1 Sentence Variety & Syntax for Effect
Lesson: Periodic sentence: main clause held until end (suspense). Cumulative: main clause first, then modifiers (flow). Anaphora: repeating words for emphasis. Chiasmus: mirror structure.
Tue Short sentences for impact. Long sentences for complexity. How length creates effect.
Wed Periodic vs cumulative sentences; chiasmus; anaphora in speeches
Thu Revise paragraph 3 ways: all short, all long, varied - analyze each effect

1. A periodic sentence creates suspense by:

2. Anaphora is defined as:

3. A cumulative sentence:

4. Chiasmus creates effect through:

5. Sentence variety in academic writing matters because:

Match the Term
periodic sentence
cumulative sentence
anaphora
chiasmus
sentence variety
main clause held until the end for suspense
main clause first followed by modifying phrases
repetition of words at the start of successive clauses
mirror-image reversal of grammatical structure
mixing length and structure for rhythm and emphasis
Week 2 Parallel Structure, Modifiers & Clarity
Lesson: Parallel: "running, swimming, and biking" not "running, to swim, biking." Dangling modifier: "Running down the street, the bus was missed." Clarity honors your reader.
Tue Parallel structure: matching grammatical forms in lists and comparisons
Wed Dangling and misplaced modifiers; correct for clarity
Thu Edit a passage with parallel structure and modifier problems

1. Parallel structure requires:

2. A dangling modifier is:

3. "Running down the street, the bus was missed" is an error because:

4. A misplaced modifier:

5. Clarity in writing honors the reader by:

Match the Term
parallel structure
dangling modifier
misplaced modifier
clarity
editing
matching grammatical forms in lists and comparisons
modifier with no clear logical subject in the sentence
modifier placed too far from the word it modifies
making ideas easy to follow without confusion
correcting surface-level errors in grammar and style
Week 3 Academic Vocabulary & Diction
Lesson: Tier 2 words appear across disciplines. Connotation vs denotation: "home" and "residence" denote the same place but connote differently. Word choice is an argument about meaning.
Tue Tier 2 academic vocabulary (analyze, evaluate, synthesize, juxtapose, corroborate)
Wed Denotation vs connotation; choosing words for precision and effect
Thu Rewrite vague paragraph using precise academic vocabulary

1. Tier 2 academic vocabulary words are:

2. Denotation refers to:

3. "Home" and "residence" have the same denotation but different:

4. Choosing words for connotation in academic writing means:

5. "Word choice is an argument about meaning" suggests:

Match the Term
denotation
connotation
Tier 2 vocabulary
juxtapose
corroborate
literal dictionary definition of a word
emotional or cultural associations of a word
academic words used across multiple disciplines
to place two things side by side for comparison or contrast
to confirm or support with evidence from another source
Week 4 Style Analysis - Voice and Tone
Lesson: Hemingway: short declarative iceberg theory. Woolf: stream of consciousness interior life. Morrison: lyrical incantatory community. Didion: self-examination fragmented. Style is an argument about reality.
Tue Voice = unique writer personality. Tone = attitude toward subject. How created?
Wed Analyze 4 passages with distinct styles (Hemingway, Woolf, Morrison, Didion)
Thu Write paragraph imitating one author's style; class guesses

1. Voice in writing refers to:

2. Hemingway's "iceberg theory" means:

3. Virginia Woolf's stream of consciousness technique:

4. Analyzing an author's style means examining:

5. "Style is an argument about how reality should be represented" means:

Match the Term
Hemingway
Woolf
Morrison
Didion
style
short declarative sentences with meaning beneath the surface
stream of consciousness following interior thought
lyrical incantatory prose rooted in community and memory
fragmented first-person self-examination
the distinctive way an author uses language, syntax and structure
February 2027 Unit 6 · Research & Academic Writing
Unit 6 · Research & Academic Writing
Week 1 Research Process - Databases, MLA Citation
Lesson: Peer-reviewed = evaluated by experts before publication. MLA in-text: (Author Last Name page#). The container matters: where did you find the source?
Tue Academic databases vs Google (JSTOR, EBSCO, Project MUSE); Boolean operators
Wed MLA 9th edition: works cited format; in-text citations
Thu Build a works cited page for 3 sources; peer-check formatting

1. Peer-reviewed sources differ from general websites because:

2. Boolean operators in database searches include:

3. MLA in-text citation format is:

4. The "container" in MLA citation refers to:

5. A works cited page:

Match the Term
peer-reviewed
Boolean operators
MLA in-text citation
container
works cited
evaluated by experts before publication
AND, OR, NOT used to refine database searches
Author Last Name and page number in parentheses
the larger source where you found the item
list of all sources cited in your paper in MLA format
Week 2 Synthesis Writing - Multiple Sources
Lesson: Bad synthesis: "A says X. B says Y." Good synthesis: organize by idea. Your voice holds the synthesis together.
Tue Synthesis vs summary: synthesis = combining sources around YOUR argument
Wed Synthesis matrix: organize by theme, not by source
Thu Draft synthesis paragraph drawing from 3 sources with ICE integration

1. Synthesis writing differs from summary because:

2. A synthesis matrix organizes sources by:

3. "Your voice holds the synthesis together" means:

4. Poor synthesis sounds like:

5. When drafting a synthesis paragraph, the central organizing element is:

Match the Term
synthesis
synthesis matrix
source integration
analytical voice
summary
combining multiple sources around your own argument
organizing sources by thematic idea for writing
weaving evidence from multiple sources into your argument
your own reasoning that frames and connects sources
restating what a source says without combining or analyzing
Week 3 Drafting a Research Paper
Lesson: Floating facts (no citations) are plagiarism even if unintentional. Introduction: broad to specific (funnel) to thesis. Conclusion: specific to broad, then larger significance.
Tue Research paper structure: introduction (hook, context, thesis), body, conclusion
Wed Workshop: draft introduction + 2 body paragraphs with synthesis
Thu Citation audit: every factual claim needs a citation

1. A "floating fact" in a research paper is:

2. The funnel structure of a research paper introduction moves:

3. A citation audit checks:

4. The conclusion of a research paper moves:

5. Floating facts are a form of plagiarism because:

Match the Term
floating fact
funnel introduction
citation audit
body paragraph
conclusion
factual claim without a citation (a form of plagiarism)
moving from broad context to specific thesis
reviewing paper to ensure every fact is cited
unit that develops one aspect of your thesis
extends argument from specific to broader significance
Week 4 Editing, Formatting & Presentation
Lesson: Format standardizes academic work. Hanging indent: easy to scan author names. Final edit: does every sentence earn its place?
Tue MLA formatting: headers, double-spacing, 12pt Times New Roman, hanging indent
Wed Final content edit: does every paragraph advance thesis? Cut what doesn't.
Thu Presentation skills: discuss your research aloud with authority

1. The hanging indent in MLA works cited:

2. "Does every paragraph advance your thesis?" is a question for:

3. MLA standard formatting includes:

4. "Does every sentence earn its place?" means:

5. Presenting research aloud demonstrates:

Match the Term
hanging indent
MLA format
double spacing
content revision
sentence economy
each works cited entry indented after first line for easy scanning
Modern Language Association style for academic papers
standard MLA requirement for body text
ensuring every paragraph advances your thesis
cutting any sentence that does not earn its place
March 2027 Unit 7 · To Kill a Mockingbird
Unit 7 · To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Week 1 TKAM Chapters 1-8 - Maycomb & Its Social World
Lesson: First-person narration + adult perspective = dramatic irony. Harper Lee set 1930s story in 1960 to critique racism with historical distance. Maycomb's geography = social map.
Tue Context: Depression-era Alabama, Jim Crow, racial caste; Scout as narrator
Wed Chapters 1-5: Maycomb's hierarchy; Boo Radley as symbol; Atticus's parenting
Thu Chapters 6-8: minor characters reveal Maycomb's values

1. Harper Lee's choice to use Scout as narrator creates:

2. Maycomb's social geography in the novel represents:

3. Boo Radley functions in the novel as:

4. Lee set a 1930s story in 1960 to:

5. First-person narration through Scout creates:

Match the Term
Scout Finch
dramatic irony
Jim Crow
Boo Radley
Maycomb
first-person child narrator of TKAM
readers understand more than the narrator does
laws enforcing racial segregation in the South
reclusive neighbor symbolizing misunderstood innocence
fictional Alabama town whose geography maps its social hierarchy
Week 2 TKAM Chapters 9-16 - Injustice, Courage & Growing Up
Lesson: Real courage = "when you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway." Mob scene dispersed by Scout's innocent conversation. Children shame adults into humanity.
Tue Chapters 9-11: real courage (Mrs. Dubose); Scout and Jem's growing awareness
Wed Chapters 12-15: Calpurnia's church; Aunt Alexandra; mob scene at jail
Thu Chapter 16: crowd at courthouse; Lee's irony and satire

1. Atticus defines real courage as:

2. The jail scene is significant because:

3. Mrs. Dubose's battle with morphine addiction represents:

4. Lee uses children as moral center in TKAM because:

5. Scout's conversation with Mr. Cunningham at the jail works because:

Match the Term
real courage
mob mentality
dramatic irony
Calpurnia
moral courage
continuing even knowing you will lose (Mrs. Dubose lesson)
individuals losing moral judgment in a group
readers see the hypocrisy that Scout does not fully understand
the Finch family's Black housekeeper who bridges two worlds
standing for what is right despite social pressure
Week 3 TKAM Chapters 17-24 - The Trial & Moral Complexity
Lesson: Law can perpetuate injustice rather than correct it. Missionary circle = women discussing injustice abroad while perpetuating it at home - Lee's sharpest satire.
Tue Chapters 17-21: trial testimony; Bob Ewell as symbol
Wed Chapters 22-23: aftermath; why jury convicts Tom despite evidence
Thu Chapter 24: missionary circle irony; Tom's death

1. The trial verdict in TKAM demonstrates:

2. Bob Ewell in the trial represents:

3. The jury convicts Tom despite clear evidence because:

4. The missionary circle scene uses irony because:

5. Tom's attempt to escape and death represent:

Match the Term
Tom Robinson
Bob Ewell
jury verdict
missionary circle
systemic racism
falsely accused Black man whose trial exposes racial injustice
antagonist who falsely accuses Tom Robinson
conviction of Tom despite evidence symbolizing systemic racism
ironic scene of women discussing injustice while perpetuating it
racism embedded in social and legal institutions
Week 4 TKAM - Theme, Legacy & Critical Perspectives
Lesson: Atticus's instruction: "climb into his skin and walk around in it" is the novel's thesis. Both things can be true: landmark novel AND reflects author's limitations.
Tue Chapters 25-31: Bob Ewell attacks, Boo saves; Sheriff Tate's decision; closing image
Wed Themes: racial injustice, moral courage, loss of innocence, empathy ("climb into his skin")
Thu Critical perspectives: TKAM centers white saviorism over Black experience; discuss Lee's choices and limitations

1. "Climb into his skin and walk around in it" is the novel's thesis because:

2. The critique of "white saviorism" in TKAM argues:

3. Sheriff Tate's decision not to reveal Boo's role reflects:

4. Holding both "landmark novel" and "limited perspective" simultaneously demonstrates:

5. The loss of innocence theme in TKAM refers to:

Match the Term
empathy
white saviorism
loss of innocence
Boo Radley
critical perspective
imaginative inhabiting of another person's perspective (climb into his skin)
critique that novel centers white moral journey over Black experience
children confronting the reality of adult injustice
figure who moves from feared unknown to protector
examining a text's assumptions, limitations and blind spots
April 2027 Unit 8 · Rhetorical Analysis
Unit 8 · Rhetorical Analysis
Week 1 Rhetorical Situation - SOAPS
Lesson: Rhetoric = art of effective communication. Every rhetorical choice responds to the situation's constraints. SOAPS is prerequisite to analysis.
Tue SOAPS: Subject, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Speaker; apply to famous speeches
Wed How rhetorical situation shapes every choice a speaker makes
Thu SOAPS analysis of 3 texts (speech, advertisement, op-ed)

1. The "Occasion" in SOAPS refers to:

2. SOAPS is described as a "prerequisite to analysis" because:

3. In SOAPS, "Purpose" means:

4. Applying SOAPS to a text helps analysts:

5. Every rhetorical choice responds to:

Match the Term
Subject
Occasion
Audience
Purpose
Speaker
what the text is about
the specific event or context that prompted the text
who the text is intended to reach
what the speaker is trying to accomplish
who is delivering the text and their credibility
Week 2 Rhetorical Appeals - Ethos, Pathos, Logos
Lesson: Aristotle: ETHOS is most powerful - we trust character more than argument or emotion. Pathos is not manipulation when used honestly. Logos includes formal logic AND appeals to reason.
Tue Ethos (credibility/character), Pathos (emotion), Logos (logic); working together
Wed Analyze JFK "Moon Speech" or MLK "I Have a Dream": specific rhetorical moves
Thu Identify appeals in contemporary speech or ad; evaluate effectiveness

1. According to Aristotle, ethos is the most powerful appeal because:

2. Pathos is not manipulation when:

3. Logos in rhetoric includes:

4. Ethos is established through:

5. In MLK's "I Have a Dream," the rhetorical appeals work together because:

Match the Term
ethos
pathos
logos
Aristotle
rhetorical analysis
appeal based on speaker credibility and character
appeal to the audience's emotions
appeal to logic, reason and evidence
philosopher who identified the three rhetorical appeals
examining how a speaker persuades through specific choices
Week 3 Analyzing Historical Speeches
Lesson: MLK's anaphora builds to transcendence. Lincoln's 272 words accomplished what a 2-hour speech failed to do. Truth uses body as evidence against idealized fragile woman narrative.
Tue MLK "I Have a Dream": anaphora, allusion, pathos, extended metaphor
Wed Lincoln Gettysburg Address: brevity as rhetoric; chiasmus; redefining the war's purpose
Thu Sojourner Truth "Ain't I a Woman?": ethos through lived experience; syntax and repetition

1. MLK's repeated use of "I have a dream" is an example of:

2. The Gettysburg Address demonstrates that brevity can be:

3. Sojourner Truth's ethos in "Ain't I a Woman?" is established through:

4. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address redefines the Civil War as:

5. Sojourner Truth's repetition of "Ain't I a woman?" functions as:

Match the Term
anaphora
Gettysburg Address
Sojourner Truth
extended metaphor
brevity as rhetoric
repetition at the start of clauses building cumulative power
272-word speech redefining the Civil War purpose
speaker who used lived experience as rhetorical ethos
sustained comparison developed throughout the speech
using fewer words for maximum impact
Week 4 Writing a Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Lesson: Strong RA thesis: names technique + effect + audience impact. "MLK's anaphora positions his audience as participants in a sacred national promise..." Every body paragraph proves the thesis.
Tue RA structure: introduction (context + thesis on HOW and WHY text persuades), body, conclusion
Wed Workshop: draft introduction + 1 body paragraph on specific device with evidence
Thu Peer review + revision; no plot summary - every sentence must analyze

1. A rhetorical analysis thesis must name:

2. "No plot summary" in RA means:

3. The body paragraphs of an RA essay:

4. A strong RA body paragraph includes:

5. The conclusion of a rhetorical analysis essay:

Match the Term
RA thesis
body paragraph
no plot summary
rhetorical choice
effect
names technique, effect and audience impact
analyzes specific rhetorical choice with evidence
every sentence analyzes HOW and WHY not just WHAT
specific decision a speaker makes to persuade
what a rhetorical choice accomplishes in the audience
May 2027 Unit 9 · Portfolio & Showcase
Unit 9 · Portfolio & Showcase
Week 1 Portfolio Curation - Selecting, Organizing, Reflecting
Lesson: Portfolio: don't say "I worked hard." Say: "These pieces show moments when I was genuinely unsure if I could achieve what the task required." Specificity = evidence of learning.
Tue Portfolio as argument: range, growth, intellectual risk-taking
Wed Critical reflections: analyze your own choices and growth per piece
Thu Portfolio introduction letter to a future reader

1. An academic portfolio is best described as:

2. Critical reflection in a portfolio differs from description because:

3. The portfolio introduction letter should be addressed to:

4. "Specificity = evidence of learning" means:

5. Selecting work that shows "intellectual risk-taking" means choosing:

Match the Term
curation
critical reflection
intellectual risk
range
metacognition
selecting and organizing work to make an argument
analyzing your own choices and growth, not just describing work
attempting something genuinely difficult
showing variety of skills and genres
thinking about your own thinking and learning process
Week 2 Polishing Work - Macro and Micro Revision
Lesson: Hedges weaken academic voice. "I think Shakespeare perhaps meant..." becomes "Shakespeare suggests..." Your interpretations ARE your academic voice. Macro before micro.
Tue Macro revision: argument still hold? Evidence strongest available? Organization logical?
Wed Micro revision: clarity, precision, eliminate hedges ("kind of," "sort of," "I think that")
Thu Final grammar edit using personal error log from year's feedback

1. Macro revision focuses on:

2. Hedging in academic writing means:

3. "Shakespeare suggests" is stronger than "I think Shakespeare perhaps meant" because:

4. Macro revision should come before micro revision because:

5. Using a personal error log from the year's feedback helps:

Match the Term
macro revision
micro revision
hedging
academic voice
personal error log
big-picture changes to argument, organization and evidence
sentence-level clarity, precision and word choice
uncertain language that weakens academic voice
confident analytical tone that presents interpretations as claims
record of recurring mistakes used to guide final editing
Week 3 Presentations & Looking Forward
Lesson: The goal: more capable, more curious, more analytically confident reader and writer. Close reading, evidence-based argument, revision, critical thinking - foundations for every academic and professional conversation ahead.
Tue Presentation of portfolio: what to say, how long, handling questions
Wed Class presentations with peer and teacher feedback
Thu Reading reflection: what changed in how you read this year? What will you carry forward?

1. The goal of a portfolio presentation is:

2. Handling questions during a presentation means:

3. "Close reading, evidence-based argument, revision, critical thinking" are described as foundations because:

4. Peer feedback during presentations should:

5. The final reading reflection asks what:

Match the Term
close reading
evidence-based argument
revision
critical thinking
academic voice
careful analytical reading focused on language and meaning
claim supported by specific textual evidence and analysis
willingness to rethink and improve your own work
questioning assumptions and evaluating evidence
confident analytical tone that owns your interpretations