UNIT OVERVIEW
During this unit, students will explore the Wild West. Students research, evaluate, compare and contrast, and ultimately make a judgment about life in that time period. Through the research process, students learn how to evaluate various non-fiction texts, develop questions to help guide research, organize ideas and information, and discover patterns, structures, and relationships. Using the writing process, students restate main idea, summarize, reflect on their beliefs and discoveries, and continue practicing formal and informal writing.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
§ What skills and strategies are most useful when conducting research?
§ Why is research important?
§ Why is nonfiction text more important than fiction text when doing research?
|
Lesson One |
To Go West or Not to Go West - That is the Question § Literature: None § Supplies: Pen or pencils, journal § Handouts: T-Chart graphic organizer § Formative Assessment: provided |
|
Lesson Two |
You Be the Judge § Literature: None § Supplies: Variety of nonfiction materials, BKWLQ Chart transparency § Handouts: Blank book pass, Blank BKWLQ Chart, Nonfiction pieces § Formative Assessment: provided |
|
Lesson Three |
Researching the Past § Literature: None § Supplies: Internet access, research questions from previous lesson, Cornell Note-Taking System Transparency (optional) § Handouts: Cornell Note-Taking System § Formative Assessment: provided |
|
Lesson Four |
Cattle Drive Research § Literature: None § Supplies: Computers for internet research, any other nonfiction materials for research § Handouts: Cornell Note-Taking System § Formative Assessment: provided |
|
Lesson Five |
Cattle Drive § Literature: None § Supplies: Six brooms, 100 balls of scrap paper, frisbee, masking tape, money for payment at end of drive § Handouts: Bird’s Eye View of Cattle Drive § Formative Assessment: provided |
|
Summative Assessment |
GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATION CONTINUUM
Targeted Learning for this unit represents the specific Grade-Level Expectations that are taught and assessed in this unit. Mastery of these skills is expected mastery of students at this grade level. Previous Learning indicates students’ probable beginning skill level. Future Learning provides the “next step” for instruction or student application of Communication Arts skills and concepts.
| PREVIOUS LEARNING | TARGETED LEARNING | FUTURE LEARNING |
|
R3C Use details from text to:
|
R3C Use details from text to:
|
R3C Use details from text to:
|
|
|
W3D Write a summary/retell main idea of written texts |
W3D Write summaries of text from magazines, newspapers, and/or informational articles
|
|
IL1A Formulate and research keywords and questions to establish a focus and purpose for inquiry |
IL1A Develop research questions in order to establish a focus and purpose for a project |
IL1A Develop questions and statements of purpose to guide research |
|
IL1B Locate and use various resources to acquire information on keywords and questions |
IL1B Locate and use various resources to acquire information and answer questions to guide research |
IL1B Locate and use multiple resources to
|
|
IL1C Identify relevant information and record main ideas and important details in own words |
IL1C Use a specified note-taking format to record relevant information |
IL1C Record relevant information using a variety of note-taking and organizational strategies
|
|
IL1D Informally give credit for others’ ideas, images and information founding various resources |
IL1D Give credit to other’s ideas, images, and information by listing sources used in research |
IL1D Define “plagiarism” and document research sources |
SHOW-ME STANDARDS ALIGNMENT
Goal 1: Students in Missouri public schools will acquire the knowledge and skills to gather, analyze and apply information and ideas.
1.1 develop questions and ideas to initiate and refine research
1.4 use technological tools and other resources to locate, select, and organize information
1.5 comprehend and evaluate written, visual and oral presentations and works
1.6 discover and evaluate patterns and relationships in information, ideas and structures
1.7 evaluate the accuracy of information and the reliability of its sources
1.8 organize data , information and ideas into useful forms (including charts, graphs, outlines) for
analysis and presentation
Goal 2: Students in Missouri public schools will acquire the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively within and beyond the classroom.
2.1 plan and make written, oral and visual presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences
2.2 review and revise communications to improve accuracy and clarity
Goal 3: Students in Missouri public schools will acquire the knowledge and skills to recognize and solve problems.
3.1 identify problems and define their scope and elements
3.5 reason inductively from a set of specific facts and deductively from general premises
Goal 4: Students in Missouri public schools will acquire the knowledge and skills to make decisions and act as responsible members of society.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Allen, Janet. 2004. Tools for Teaching Content Literacy. Stenhouse Publishers
Artman, John. 1982. Cowboys: An Activity Book. Good Apple, Inc., Torrance, California.
Barton, Linga G. 1997. Quick Flip Questions for Critical Thinking. Edupress, Inc. Dana Point, California.
Carr, E., and D. Ogle. 1987. "K-W-L Plus: A Strategy for Comprehension and Summarization." Journal of Reading 30: 626-631.
Carter, C., and Z.M. Rashkis, eds. 1980. Ideas for Teaching English in the Junior High and Middle School.
Forbis, William H., eds. 1973 The Old West: The Cowboys. Virginia: Time Life
Irvin, J. L. 1990. Reading and the Middle School Student: Strategies to Enhance Literacy: Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Keagan -- cooperative learning strategies
Lybarger, Deborah and Fry, Ruth. 1996. Thematic Unit: Cowboys. Teacher Created Materials, Inc. Hunington Beach, California.
Ogle, D. 1986. "K-W-L: A Teaching Model That Develops Active Reading of Expository Text." Reading Teacher 39: 563-570.
Pauk, W. 1974. How to Study in College. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Reiter, Joan Swallow, eds. 1978. The Old West: The Women. Virginia: Time Life.
Trachtman, Paul, eds. 1974. The Old West: The Gunfighters. Virginia: Time Life.