ENGLISH I: INTRODUCTION TO
LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
GRADE 9
EWING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2099 Pennington Road
Ewing, NJ 08618
Board Approval Date: September 19, 2022 Michael Nitti
Produced by: Sara Graja, District Supervisor Superintendent
Karyl Martucci-Malato, Teacher
In accordance with The Ewing Public Schools’ Policy 2230, Course Guides, this
curriculum has been reviewed and found to be in compliance with all policies and
all affirmative action criteria.
Table of Contents
Page
Program Description 1
Unit 1: The Close, Analytical Reading of Literature and Information 2
Unit 2: Epic Poetry, Heroes and Quests 8
Unit 3: Multi-Genre Thematic Study: The Many Facets of Love, Sorrow and Loss 13
Unit 4: Research Simulation Tasks, Literary Analysis Tasks and Writing
Across Multiple Sources 17
Unit 5: Informational, Explanatory or Expository Writing 21
Unit 6: Argument Writing 25
Sample Standards Integration 30
Appendix: Curricular Resources 31
Program Description
Students enrolled in Grades 9-12 in The Ewing Public Schools are required to take
four years of English Language Arts. The English curriculum requires that students
work toward College and Career Readiness with the support and guidance of a
highly-qualified teaching staff and English classes are tiered so the skills necessary
for students to be successful beyond high school progress from English I through
English IV in a structured way. The three goals for our secondary English program
are the following: 1) to help students read and comprehend grade level texts
independently, 2) to assist students with text-based thinking and writing and 3) to
empower students with a love of reading.
Within all English courses, students read fictional works of literature and
informational texts, often considering how one text supports or refutes another; a
thematic approach to reading and writing allows students to make these
connections. Students write daily; the purpose of student writing is for them to
inform, argue, analyze, express or entertain an audience. They work to make sense
of literature or information by continually reading, thinking and discussing big
ideas. Students read and write daily, sometimes with teacher support, often
independently.
Scope and Sequence for Units of Study:
Course Instructional Time: 87 minutes 5 days per week for one semester
Specific pacing information is included within each unit of study for Grades 9-12.
1
Unit 1: The Close, Analytical Reading of Literature and Information
[Pacing: 30 Days]
Why Is This Unit Important?
During this unit of study, students will read literary works that share common
themes, including but not limited to, matters of life and death, finding common
ground and forming bonds between individuals and groups. An overarching theme
focused on speaking up for those who cannot or do not have a voice is present as
well; this will be connected to a larger school-wide discussion of bullying and anti-
bullying. Students will learn about and apply the facets of close, analytical reading.
They will become more aware of word function, narrative style and technical
devices. Students will read actively to move beyond the surface of a literary work,
annotating texts to look for deeper meaning including moral issues presented in
texts. Seldom does narration articulate these issues of morality, thus it requires
guidance and scaffolding for the student to become more sensitive to them and
infer meaning. As students become more aware of the moral dimensions of a novel,
they work to discover a truth in fiction and thus make connections between the
fiction and their own lives. The Big Ideas embedded in this unit include:
An author’s craft directly relates to an author’s use of specific literary
elements. A reader must be aware of the interaction between literary
elements and how those interactions work to develop theme.
There is often a connection between a work of literature, the historical
context of the author’s life and the social context in which the text was
written.
Knowing the factual, historic information about events discussed in a text
affects a reader, his or her understanding of the work and ultimately his/her
appreciation of the work.
Enduring Understandings:
Symbols, meanings and motifs provide a significant contribution to the
development of central idea or theme in a text.
Reading nonfiction texts helps to build background knowledge or to enhance
the reading experience, further enabling a reader to more thoroughly analyze
information provided in a work of fiction.
The historic era and social context in which a work was composed, fiction or
nonfiction, have a clear impact on the content, characters, conflicts and
themes in the work.
Gender, age, race and culture all impact an individual’s definition of his/her
role and others’ roles in society. Such definitions are often utilized by writers
to develop character, present conflict and create theme in a work of
literature.
A reader must read actively and attend to nuances provided by an author;
nothing presented in a work of literature is happenstance, so it is up to a
reader to consider all information and reflect upon an author’s purpose and
meaning.
2
Essential Questions:
What skills are required to read a literary text in comparison and contrast
with an informational piece?
How can a reader utilize information obtained through nonfiction reading to
enhance comprehension of a fictional text? Why is such information
important?
How does the historical era in which a work was composed influence the
setting, plot development or content, characters, conflicts and themes
present in the work?
How is a text, literary or informational, a commentary and/or criticism on the
society in which it was composed?
What is society’s influence over an individual and his or her relationships and
decisions?
How do one’s social class and/or socioeconomic status influence one’s
relationships and experiences?
Literary works utilize myriad literary elements, including but not limited to
symbols, motifs and timeless themes to create believable stories that are
relevant commentaries on life.
Acquired Knowledge:
Works of literature are organized to include common literary elements;
informational texts are organized utilizing common text features.
Strategic readers infer meaning from information provided in the text to best
understand a writer’s use of symbols, meanings and motifs; each has an
influence on a text’s theme.
Reading nonfiction texts (i.e., biography of an author, information about an
historical time period, informational text about a specific event, etc.) enables
a reader to synthesize information and analyze a work of fiction more
thoughtfully, thus more accurately interpreting a writer’s central idea or
theme.
Writers often include information related to social class, socioeconomic
status, gender, age, race, and/or culture in a work to provide information
that enables a reader to fully understand a work’s conflict or theme.
There are common themes that extend across works such as matters of life
and death, finding common ground, forming bonds between individuals and
groups and perseverance to overcome obstacles including prejudice and
discrimination.
3
Acquired Skills:
Closely read and analyze literary works, including works on grade level and
works at each student’s independent reading level.
Closely read and analyze informational texts and narrative nonfiction
including memoir, autobiography and biography.
Understand and analyze the literary elements and informational text features
and discuss how each feature aids with comprehension, ultimately leading to
central idea or theme.
Utilize information presented in an informational text and apply it to more
thoroughly understand a literary work (i.e., the influence a writer’s life had
on a particular work; the impact of social context on a literary work).
Extrapolate information presented in a text and use that information to infer
meaning (i.e., symbolic images, figurative language, imagery, etc.).
Discuss relationships among characters, especially character conflict and
explain how such conflicts and resolutions help to develop the theme
presented in the work.
Analyze the organizational structure of a work and discuss how the order of
events or manipulation of time can aid to a story’s emotion, suspense,
mystery, surprise, etc.
Compare works that share a common theme, focusing on the similarities
between experiences as well as differences between settings, resolutions, or
other literary elements.
Read works within the 9-10 grade-band, identify the topic and general main
idea or 'gist' of the literary work and identify key details that scaffold to that
main idea (e.g., highlighting key details); use these details to write an
objective summary and to respond to text-dependent questions.
Use details, specific examples and quotes from the text to support one’s
thoughts when responding to a reading.
Synthesize information from multiple texts when writing a coherent response
to a text-dependent question.
Assessments: Suggested assessments, but not limited to those listed
Formative:
Graphic organizers to record notes to be considered with another text
Class discussions
Teacher conferences
Summative:
Text-specific reading comprehension quizzes or tests, including written
responses to open-ended questions
Analytical essays that require students to synthesize information across
multiple works (e.g., research simulation tasks and literary analysis tasks)
Authentic assessments such as projects or Socratic Seminar opportunities
4
Benchmark:
Text-based written responses and fully developed essays
Core Instructional Materials:
Collections, Grade 9 (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017):
o Unit 1: Finding Common Ground
o Unit 3: The Bond Between Us
o Unit 5: A Matter of Life or Death:
*Excerpts from Night by Elie Wiesel (required)
Core Books – Fiction:
o *Lord of the Flies (required)
o The Contender by Robert Lipsyte
o Peak by Roland Smith
o The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Core Books – Nonfiction:
o The Pact and We Beat the Streets by Doctors Sampson, Remeck
and Hunt
o The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Supplemental Instructional Materials:
Glencoe Literature, Level 4 (Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2002) – supplemental
text:
o “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
o “Lady or the Tiger” by Frank Stockton
Interdisciplinary Connections:
Informational texts connected to an author’s life or an historical time period
will provide opportunities for nonfiction, cross-content reading.
Informational reading can be provided to help students understand
technological or scientific advancements made during a writer’s life or during
a particular historical time period. Again, such information would create a
greater context in which a work was created.
When studying works within a specific literary era, it is helpful to provide
additional information such as the artwork or music of that era to help
students gain a greater picture of the arts of the time.
5
Technology Connections:
Collections online resources, A&E videos, student eBooks and close readers
Students can submit work related to Collections in their eBook; all other
written work can be completed and submitted through Google Drive.
District databases found on the District Discover Page
([Link] provide
informational resources and websites for literary criticism and reviews
Common Lit ([Link] is a website with thousands of
literary and informational texts and resources geared to students in middle or
high school.
Video adaptations of books (e.g., Lord of the Flies) or documentaries to
provide information to support a book (e.g., Holocaust informational videos
to support the reading of Night)
Websites such as [Link], [Link] or
[Link] provide free graphic
organizers that can be used to build students’ reading skills.
Accommodations or Modifications:
The Collections series provides differentiated texts and resources to support
students and to accelerate learning for students who need extension
activities.
Utilizing graphic organizers will help students extrapolate information (i.e.,
biographical or historical information to help a student more thoroughly
understand information presented in a work of fiction). Utilizing organizers is
a best practice documented to support struggling readers (Marzano).
Audio recordings of novels or short stories provide support for struggling
readers or for auditory learners; an audio recording for many classical works
is available on YouTube. It is important to note that an audio recording is not
intended to replace reading the work, rather as an additional support for
students.
Video versions of literature read in class (i.e., Lord of the Flies) can be used
to support struggling readers. Providing multimodal learning opportunities
will help with comprehension for students who struggle with reading but who
learn best auditorially or visually. Again, a video is not intended to replace
the reading of a text; it is intended to provide additional learning
opportunities.
Opportunities for pair-share learning will support both struggling and gifted
learners.
Teachers can adopt and utilize different versions of the same text and can
differentiate the reading materials to meet students’ needs.
Differentiated class assignments will help to meet the needs of various
learners.
6
Applicable Common Core State Standards:
Reading Standards for Literature: RL.9-10.1; RL.9-10.2; RL.9-10.3; RL.9-
10.4, RL.9-10.5; RL.9-10.6; RL.9-10.10
Reading Standards for Informational Texts: RI.9-10.1; RI.9-10.2; RI.9-10.3;
RI.9-10.5; RI.9-10.6; RI.9-10.10
Writing Standards: W.9-10.4; W.9-10.5; W.9-10.7; W.9-10.8; W.9-10.9
7
Unit 2: Epic Poetry, Heroes and Quests [Pacing: 15 Days]
Why Is This Unit Important?
“An epic is a long narrative poem. It recounts the adventures of an epic hero, a
larger-than-life figure who undertakes great journeys and performs deeds requiring
remarkable bravery and cunning…It includes an epic plot, epic setting, archetypes
and epic themes including courage, loyalty, beauty, the fate of a nation, life and
death and a homecoming” (Collections, Unit 6). Homer’s epic The Odyssey teaches
what the ancient Greeks valued in their heroes while providing students with a
model for what is valued in a hero today, characteristics that were inspired by what
was composed over a millennia ago.
When studying heroes and quests, epic or otherwise, it is imperative to additionally
discuss and analyze gender roles as they were accepted at that time compared to
what is accepted in today’s society. The rules of etiquette and hospitality are also
significant elements to the tales and provide an insight into the true lives, not
merely the literary ones, of individuals living at the time these works were
composed. This will enable students to compare and contrast not only works of
literature from different eras, but also the lives of actual individuals, both historical
and contemporary. The Big Ideas embedded in this unit include:
The skills required to read an epic differ from those required when reading
other texts.
The study of ancient Greece requires additional reading and research of that
historical and literary time period so the reader understands in a
comprehensive manner the subject, events and themes of the texts.
The organizational structure of an epic provides necessary information that is
helpful to a reader.
An epic is an ancient genre whose themes, characters and conflicts are all
applicable to the modern experience.
The archetypal hero and the heroic journey are universal elements in
literature throughout the ages; while an epic includes the hero and hero’s
journey, other works of literature include heroes and quests similar to those
presented in an epic.
Enduring Understandings:
It is necessary to possess a specific set of skills, such as comprehension of
literary terms applicable to the epic, in order to discuss the work beyond
factual recall.
The concepts of fate and freewill and the developing attitude toward them
impact the characters, their development, their conflicts, their resolutions, as
well as the readers’ reactions to those characters and actions and events.
Past literary heroes and present day heroes share many connections.
8
The elements of epic poetry significantly contribute to the poem’s meaning
and message and provide the groundwork for both a literal and symbolic
comprehension and analysis of the work.
The oral storytelling tradition has produced and continues to produce stories
and poems that endure and express timeless, human, cultural truths.
A hero is an ordinary human called to face extraordinary circumstance and
challenges.
Reflecting on the challenges one faces and overcomes can help one to define
oneself and understand one’s experiences.
Essential Questions:
What are the characteristics of an epic and what has allowed epic poetry to
remain a significant genre in the modern world?
What is the difference between a literal and a symbolic journey?
In what ways does one search for his/her own identity and define himself or
herself within or in contrast to an accepted culture?
What is a hero, in literature and in real life?
How does modern literature allude to the literature of another time period?
What do literary works, including poems and songs, say about a culture?
What does a person learn about himself or herself by reflecting on the
challenges he/she faces and overcomes?
Acquired Knowledge:
Epic poems share common characteristics such as: an opening in medias
res; an invocation to the Muse; a concern with the fate of a nation or people;
a correspondingly large scale, often ranging around the world; the
intervention of supernatural figures, who are interested in the outcome of the
action; extended similes, generally called epic similes; long catalogues,
whether of ships, characters, or places; extensive battle scenes; and a few
stock episodes, including a visit to the underworld.
Differences exist between a literal and a symbolic journey.
Heroes/heroines share common qualities, even if the kind of hero/heroine
differs.
Archetypal stages of a hero’s journey are presented throughout an epic work.
Modern literature connects to the literature of earlier time periods.
Past literary heroes and present day heroes share many commonalities.
Writers utilize narrative strategies and figurative language to assist with
character development, develop conflicts in poems and present themes in a
work.
Writers include details about the culture, mythology and history of Homer’s
world in order to better develop an epic work.
Primary ideas and themes are present in all epic poems.
9
Acquired Skills:
Research and analyze the historical and mythological origins of epic
literature.
Characterize an individual as a hero and support the claim with use of text
and explanation in both written and oral form.
Analyze the archetypal stages of a hero’s journey.
Evaluate a hero’s journey in terms of the heroic quest.
Identify and analyze the role of fate and freewill as a common theme in epic
poetry and thoroughly discuss its effect on the characters, character
development and conflicts in a work of literature.
Relate how much control one has in the quest to reach one’s goal.
Identify, apply and analyze the narrative strategies and figurative language
employed in an epic poem.
Connect the hero’s journey in an epic to quests presented in other literary
works.
Understand and define students’ own relationship to their culture and their
own personal, individual journey.
Utilize textual support, cite textual evidence and draw inferences from the
text when responding to an open-ended question.
Major Assessments:
Assessments: Suggested assessments, but not limited to those listed
Formative:
Class discussions, debates and reenactments
Journal writing (i.e., How is your high school career both a literal and
figurative/symbolic journey?)
Summative:
Text-specific reading comprehension quizzes or tests, including written
responses to open-ended questions
Text-based written responses
Essays that require students to make connections and synthesize
information across works (i.e., the hero’s journey in Homer’s The
Odyssey, Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Tennyson’s Ulysses)
Benchmark:
Analytical Essay
Alternate:
Narrative Essay
10
Core Instructional Materials:
Collections, Grade 9 (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017):
o Unit 6: Heroes and Quests:
*From The Odyssey, Epic Poem by Homer, translated by Robert
Fitzgerald (required)
Ulysses by Alfred Lloyd Tennyson (additional resources online)
Core Books:
o Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
Supplemental Instructional Materials:
Glencoe Literature, Level 4 (Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2002) – supplemental text:
o “An Ancient Gesture” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
o “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood
o “Ithaca” by C.P. Cavafy
Films to support texts:
o The Odyssey
o O Brother Where Art Thou
Released PARCC Literary Analysis Task and Student Samples, Spring 2015: from
Odysseus by Geraldine McCaughrean
Interdisciplinary Connections:
To connect to history, students can read about ancient societies as background
information prior to reading epic poems or other works related to the hero’s
journey. Such information would help to build students’ informational reading
skills and provide background knowledge about cultures and societies, which will
provide insight when reading epic works.
Students can study the art work of ancient times such as ancient masks, Greek
vases, etc.
Advancement in the areas of science and mathematics of ancient civilizations can
be studied.
Technology Connections:
Excerpts of video versions of the texts read can support student comprehension.
Excerpts can also help teachers meet Common Core State Standard RL.9-10.7
(Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic
mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment).
Heroes Are Made of This: Studying the Character of Heroes
[Link]
[Link]
The Archetype of the Hero’s Journey on Web English Teacher: Instructional
Resources and Lesson Plan Ideas
[Link]
I Need a Super Hero: A Series of Lesson Plans from Mensa for Gifted Children
[Link]
[Link]
11
Accommodations or Modifications:
Utilizing graphic organizers will help students extrapolate information (i.e.,
nonfiction reading to build background knowledge) and then synthesize
information across texts. Utilizing organizers is a best practice documented to
support struggling readers.
Audio and video support can be used to support struggling readers and to
challenge gifted thinkers. Providing multimodal learning opportunities will
help with comprehension for students who struggle with reading but who
learn best auditorially or visually. Additional videos or auditory readings can
be provided for gifted readers can push them beyond the text provided in the
classroom as well.
Opportunities for pair-share learning will again support both struggling and
gifted learners.
Teachers can adopt and utilize different versions of the same text (i.e.,
Homer’s Odyssey) and can differentiate the reading materials to meet
students’ needs.
Differentiated class assignments will help to meet the needs of various
learners as well (i.e., graphic organizer vs. reflective response, both focused
on the same text).
Applicable Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:
Reading Standards for Literature: RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.2, RL.9-10.3, RL.9-
10.4; RL.9-10.6, RL.9-10.10
Writing Standards: W.9-10.4, W.9-10.5, W.9-10.9a; W.9-10.10
12
Unit 3: Multi-Genre Thematic Study: The Many Facets of Love, Sorrow and
Loss [Pacing: 25 Days]
Why Is This Unit Important?
In this unit of study, students will explore the common literary theme of love, sorrow
and loss by reading myriad texts from varying genres and making connections among
works including characters’ journeys and losses, stories’ conflicts and resolutions and
the progression of a plot toward the development of theme. Students will read, perform
and view Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, examine relationships found in the play,
explore the interactions of individuals and compare the relationships presented in
Shakespeare’s work to relationships presented in other works and then to relationships
found in during contemporary times. Students will also explore Shakespeare’s language
and his influence on language today. These concepts will then be compared to other
works that share in this common theme of love, sorrow and loss. The Big Ideas
presented in this unit of study are:
There is a connection between a work of literature and the influences and/or
historical context of the author's life and era. An understanding of this
connection is necessary so a reader fully understands the subject, events,
conflicts and themes of the text.
The reading of a dramatic or poetic work requires a different skill set than what
is required when reading a narrative piece.
The organizational structure of drama provides necessary information and is
helpful to a reader’s comprehension and analysis (i.e., list of characters,
prologues, acts that follow a specific order). Additionally, the audience has the
opportunity to react to and reflect on decisions made by characters.
Authors provide textual clues such as character actions or inactions, character
motivations, conflicts and resolutions, attempts at resolution and progression of
events to help a reader infer theme. Some themes, including love, sorrow and
loss, are common across literary works and make it possible for a reader to
make connections across genres and across time periods.
Enduring Understandings:
For one to fully comprehend the conflicts, themes and author’s intention
presented in a literary work including those presented in works of drama,
connections must be drawn between the time period in which the work was
written (i.e., Elizabethan, Ancient Greek, etc.) and the themes of the work.
Drama is a unique genre requiring readers to become more intimately involved
with the dialogue of the characters providing the characterization, rising action,
conflict, climax, falling action and resolution contrary to other works of fiction
and non-fiction.
The understanding of standard dramatic conventions assists the audience in
comprehending the action of the play.
Setting has a direct impact and influence on character development, motivation,
conflicts and associations.
Readers must attend to all aspects of a text, both literal and implied and closely
read and analyze a text in order to understand an author’s purpose and his or
her development of theme.
13
Essential Questions:
How does an extensive knowledge of a specific time period help a reader to
more fully understand the events that take place in a literary work?
How does one artfully read a dramatic work? Is it meant to be read silently
or aloud? What is the difference?
What are dramatic, situational and verbal irony and how does each impact an
audience’s reaction to and comprehension of the action in a work of drama?
How does a person face conflict (i.e., emotion versus rational thought, love
versus lust, fate versus free will) and what does it reveal about the nature of
his or her character?
How could the themes of classic tragedies such as sorrow and loss be
connected to contemporary society?
What is the difference between love and the perception of love?
What are the abstract concepts embedded in Romeo and Juliet? How do
those abstract concepts apply to other works of literature? To contemporary
society?
Acquired Knowledge:
There are specific characteristics and elements of Greek and Elizabethan
drama; it is important to understand these as well as the origins of drama to
fully appreciate the art.
Previous theatrical periods had a clear and specific influence on the
development of drama and dramatic structure.
There are required elements of a play which differ slightly from those specific
to Greek drama and the Elizabethan five act play.
Dramatic devices such as asides, soliloquies, monologues, irony and stage
direction contribute to the progression of events and ultimately to the theme
of a literary work.
In a tragedy, one event often causes the next event to occur, ultimately
concluding in a tragic outcome. This development of plot leads a reader to a
theme such as sorrow and loss.
There are literal, figurative and literary definitions and applications of the
themes of love, sorrow and loss that are evident when analyzing myriad
literary works including Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Acquired Skills:
Identify various types of drama and explain how drama has changed over the
centuries.
Identify dramatic elements in Greek and Elizabethan tragedies including but
not limited to asides, soliloquies, monologues, irony and stage direction and
analyze their effect(s) on characterization, conflicts, theme and narrative.
Compare classic views of tragedy and literary works sharing the theme of
sorrow and loss with contemporary attitudes and examples.
Identify the catalyst for tragic outcomes and create alternate possible
conclusions given alternate triggers for the tragic 'ripple effect'.
14
Identify abstract concepts across several literary works that share the theme
of love, sorrow and loss (i.e., Romeo and Juliet, Ovid’s Pyramus and Thisbe,
“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry), support their existence with textual
references (direct and indirect) and compare and/or contrast concepts within
and between works.
Assessments: Suggested assessments, but not limited to those listed
Formative:
Class Discussions
Journal writing
Summative:
Text-specific reading comprehension quizzes or tests, including written
responses to open-ended questions
Performances and visual interpretations of dramatic works
Essays that require students to make connections and synthesize information
that share the common theme of sorrow and loss
Benchmark:
Multi-genre thematic study
Core Instructional Materials:
Collections, Grade 9 (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017):
o Unit 4: Sweet Sorrow
*Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (required)
Ovid’s Pyramus and Thisbe
Glencoe Literature, Level 4 (Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2002):
o “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
Core Books:
o Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper
*“Love’s Vocabulary”, an essay by Diane Ackerman (required)
Interdisciplinary Connections:
Students can read about ancient Greece, specifically focusing on its society,
politics and religion. They can also read about and research Elizabethan England,
focusing on society, politics, religion and social class. Such reading would provide
powerful background knowledge to understand the context of dramatic works
studied in this unit.
Students can research how technology was utilized by the ancient Greeks to
adequately and appropriately perform their plays in front of a massive audience.
How did technology and architectural advancements enable Shakespeare’s
contemporaries to construct the Globe and other theaters in Elizabethan
England? What special effects were used in each type of drama and how did
those effects develop and become more/less complex through the centuries?
Ancient Greek art and architecture can be studied as well.
15
Technology Connections:
Websites such as Read Write Think ([Link]) and Web
English Teacher ([Link] provide
numerous lesson plans focusing on teaching drama in the high school.
Lessons can be filtered by topic or by grade level; web quests and
PowerPoint presentations are available as well.
No Fear Shakespeare: [Link] Here, students can read
the original text on one page, while utilizing a translated text on the adjacent
page.
Accommodations or Modifications:
Informational videos can help to build students’ background knowledge, thus
providing support for them as they begin to read a dramatic work.
Video versions of dramatic works provide visual support for students who
may struggle when reading drama.
Audio readings of dramatic works are available through the EHS Media
Center, the Mercer County Library, or free for download online.
Graphic organizers can be provided for students to utilize when reading a
dramatic work. This would help to focus struggling readers on key pieces of
information while helping them to organize the information in a structured
way. Differentiating graphic organizers would allow a teacher to differentiate
to meet the needs of both struggling and gifted readers (i.e., a web versus a
blank outline for note-taking).
There are often many versions of the same text. For example, the full Romeo
and Juliet is available in Collections, but there is an adapted version that was
translated into a narrative available online at [Link]
[Link]/stories_romeo_juliet.htm. Spark notes offers No Fear
Shakespeare for Romeo and Juliet as well ([Link]
Differentiating the text while holding all students accountable for
comprehending the text is one accommodation that would benefit both
struggling and gifted readers.
Applicable Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:
Reading Standards for Literature: RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.2, RL.9-10.3, RL.9-
10.4, RL.9-10.6, RL.9-10.9, RL.9-10.10
Writing Standards: WS.9-10.2a, WS.9-10.2b, WS.9-10.2c, WS.9-10.2d,
WS.9-10.2e, WS.9-10.2f, WS.9-10.4, WS.9-10.5, WS.9-10.7, WS.9-10.8
16
Unit 4: Research Simulation Tasks, Literary Analysis Tasks and Writing
Across Multiple Sources [Pacing: 15 Days; some are embedded into other
units of study]
Synthesizing information from a variety of different sources and supporting a thesis
with details written in one’s own words or cited from its original source is an essential
skill across all content areas. The Big Ideas included in this unit of study are:
A clearly written thesis statement will convey the main idea of an essay or
research paper.
Details extrapolated from different sources and from different kinds of sources
(i.e., books, newspapers, videos, radio addresses, speeches, internet resources,
etc.) must be used to support a thesis statement; synthesis of information from
a variety of sources is key.
Citing quotes or newly acquired information obtained through research is
necessary to avoid the accusation of plagiarism.
Writing a narrative, argumentative, or informational essay including information
synthesized from multiple sources is a skill that will carry a student through high
school and into college.
Enduring Understandings:
A research simulation task (RST) requires that students synthesize information
across informational sources and respond to a text-based question using
evidence from multiple sources. A literary analysis task (LAT) requires the same
cross-source writing, but it involves works of fiction rather than works of
information.
The main idea of an RST or LAT must be summarized in one sentence; this is
called the thesis statement. The remainder of the RST or LAT must provide
support for this statement.
Primary sources (i.e., speech, interview) differ from secondary sources (i.e.,
biography, book, informational video) in that primary sources were created
during the time under study while secondary sources interpret or analyze
primary sources. Each has value, but each must be considered and used
differently.
Plagiarism, also known as literary theft, is defined by Merriam-Webster in the
following way: to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's
own; to use (another's production) without crediting the source.
In-text citations or parenthetical citations are used to credit an original writer for
his or her words or thoughts.
Essential Questions:
How does one summarize the thoughts presented in an entire research or
literary essay in only one sentence?
What is the benefit of a primary source over a secondary source or vice versa?
How is plagiarism of literary works similar to copyright infringement related to
music lyrics?
17
How can a writer synthesize information from myriad sources rather than write
about each source in isolation?
Acquired Knowledge:
The key ideas presented in a research simulation task (RST) or literary analysis
task (LAT) must clearly connect to and support the thesis statement.
The thesis statement must be supported with well-chosen, relevant and sufficient
facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and
examples.
Details to support the thesis must be synthesized from multiple print and digital
sources, all of which are credible and accurate.
Primary and secondary sources are used to obtain information that will help a
reader and writer support a topic or claim; all support must be extrapolated from
an informational text, literary work, or historically or scientifically accurate
knowledge.
It is essential that one assess the credibility and accuracy of a source before
using a source to conduct research.
Note cards and source information help a writer to organize notes and sources in
order to organize the paper and avoid plagiarism.
Precise language and domain-specific vocabulary help the writer to sustain a
formal style and objective tone while managing the complexity of the research
topic.
The conclusion of the RST or LAT must flow logically from the information
presented or explanation provided.
To avoid plagiarism, one must give credit to an original source by providing in-
text or parenthetical citations.
Acquired Skills:
Craft a thesis statement that identifies the main idea of the essay and is
supported by all ideas and details presented in the paper.
Utilize well-chosen, relevant and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete
details, quotations and other examples to support the thesis statement.
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources using
advanced search features; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source and
quote or paraphrase the information.
Differentiate between primary and secondary sources, using each kind of source
appropriately, to support an informational or literary analysis.
Quote or paraphrase data and conclusions obtained through research and
provide explanations in one’s own wording.
Utilize note cards and source information when conducting research and taking
notes.
Include in-text or parenthetical citations to avoid accusations of plagiarism.
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary that sustains a formal,
objective style to manage the complexity of the topic.
Draft a conclusion section that flows logically from the information and
explanations presented in the RST or LAT.
18
Apply the rules of Standard English presented through mini-lessons as well as
those offered during teacher conferences when drafting and when editing his/her
draft.
Assessments: Suggested assessments, but not limited to those listed
Formative:
Graphic organizers such as Cornell Notes, outlines, etc.
Teacher conferences, observations and anecdotal notes
Self-editing, peer-editing, or teacher-feedback sheets
Benchmark:
Completion of a research task, using PARCC Scoring Rubric for Prose Constructed
Response Items: Research Simulation Task and Literary Analysis Task
Instructional Materials:
RSTs and LATs embedded into the Collections units of study
Graphic organizers such as Cornell Note sheets or outlines
Citation Samples
Self, peer and teacher revising and editing checklists
Question-specific RST or LAT rubric, to be distributed at the beginning of the
assignment so students are aware of expectations
Research materials including online resources, district databases, books and
videos:
o NOTE: It is recommended that English teachers involve the Media Specialist
during the research process.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
The expectations specified for completion of Research Simulation Tasks (RSTs) in
English class mirror those specified for completion of Document Based Questions
(DBQs) in history. Teachers are expected to title any RST-DBQ using both initials
to help students make connections to the skills required in both classes.
RST training has been provided for teachers of the humanities, so short texts can
be provided and cross-source writing can be expected.
Before reading a literary work, it is customary to research the life of the author
and the time period in which the work was written. Doing so allows a reader to
read the work through an informed lens. RSTs or LATs can be developed based
upon a specific work, author, or time period to frontload a text or as a
summative assessment after a work is completed.
19
Technology Connections:
Online resources and district databases to conduct research
Videos to add research opportunities for visual learners
Released RST and LAT prompts and proficient student responses from the PARCC
assessment online at [Link]
items
Students can draft, revise and edit, peer review and publish within the
Collections eBook or within Google Drive
Websites such as Easy Bib ([Link]) and Works Cited for You
([Link]) help students to format a works cited page by asking
them to key information into blanks.
Websites such as [Link] ([Link]/[Link])
and the Purdue Online Writing Lab
([Link] links to help
students see samples of parenthetical citations as well as works cited pages.
Accommodations or Modifications:
Using graphic organizers such as blank outlines, note cards, or works cited
organizers will help students to focus on the correct information and will
ultimately help them to organize their research paper.
Exemplary research essays or essay templates provide support for struggling
readers and writers. Providing exemplary benchmarks is a best practice that
helps students to more thoroughly understand expectations and provides a
model for them to use as a guide.
Individual teacher conferences enable a teacher to provide specific feedback to
students; doing so supports the struggling writer while challenging the gifted
writer.
Applicable Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:
Reading Standards for Literature: RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.2
Reading Standards for Informational Texts: RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.2, RI.9-10.3,
RI.9-10.9
Writing Standards: WS.9-10.2a, WS.9-10.2b, WS.9-10.2c, WS.9-10.2d, WS.9-
10.2e, WS.9-10.2f, WS.9-10.4, WS.9-10.5, WS.9-10.8, WS.9-10.9a, WS.9-
10.9b, WS.9-10.10
20
Unit 5: Informational, Explanatory or Expository Writing [Pacing: 15
Days; some are embedded into reading units of study]
Why Is This Unit Important?
This unit will focus on the craft of informational, explanatory, expository essay
writing and will help students to develop the skills needed to effectively
communicate with an audience. The purpose of
informational/explanatory/expository essay writing is for the writer to synthesize
information from primary and secondary sources and craft an essay that serves one
of three purposes: 1) to increase a reader’s knowledge of a subject, 2) to help a
reader better understand a procedure or process, or 3) to provide a reader with an
enhanced comprehension of a concept. The Big Ideas embedded through this unit
are:
The main idea or central focus of the essay must be clearly articulated in the
thesis and that thesis must be supported with facts obtained from reliable
and unbiased sources.
Thoughts presented in the essay must be organized logically and coherently;
transitions must be smooth and must occur naturally.
A writer’s selection of words is one of the most important factors he/she
must consider when writing; precision of language and use of domain-specific
vocabulary are essential with informational writing.
Strong essays must meet certain criteria (i.e., the opening and closing are
evident, main idea is clearly expressed and is supported with specific details,
word choice is powerful and language is skillfully used, voice is clear and
powerful, sentence structure is used correctly, a consistent verb tense is
maintained throughout a piece and Standard English is used effectively) to
be considered proficient.
Writers continually revise and edit their work to improve their writing,
specifically focusing on organization, development, voice, word choice,
sentence structure and the conventions of writing.
Enduring Understandings:
A topic must be supported using relevant facts, definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples obtained from reliable and
unbiased sources.
When drafting an informational piece, a writer must attend to task, purpose
and audience.
A writer’s voice and word choice must be passionate and powerful so his/her
message is clearly conveyed.
Writing is never 'done' and can always be improved. It is a recursive process,
so writers can move from stage to stage, either forward or backward.
21
Essential Questions:
What is the purpose of informational/explanatory/expository writing?
What differentiates essay writing from other forms of writing (i.e., narrative,
prose or poetry, memoir etc.)?
How does a writer support his or her thoughts without repeating himself or
herself? How does one use support to strengthen a work?
What makes a source more 'reliable' than another?
Why is it important to consider audience and purpose when organizing one’s
writing?
What does the literary term voice mean? How does one include voice in his
or her writing?
Why is vivid and precise use of language so important?
What is Standard English and why is it important to use Standard English in
academic writing?
Acquired Knowledge:
The author’s purpose with explanatory/expository writing is to provide
information to a reader that increases his/her knowledge, helps him or her to
better understand a process or procedure, or provides a reader with an
enhanced understanding of a concept.
Specific evidence must take the form of facts, statistics, quotes, or details
and must be obtained from reliable, unbiased sources.
Key ideas must be connected to the topic and must flow with transitions from
one point to the next, creating cohesion and clarifying information and ideas.
Precise language, domain-specific wording and technical wording (where
appropriate) will help to sustain a formal objective style that is
straightforward and appropriate for a reader seeking information.
A concluding paragraph or section must flow logically from the information or
explanation provided, restate the main idea and summarize key points, all
without repeating what was already stated or introducing new information.
Acquired Skills:
Create a thoughtfully worded thesis that communicates the main idea of an
informational essay.
Support a thesis with well-chosen, relevant and sufficient facts, extended
definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Evaluate sources for reliability and possible bias before deciding from which
source to record information; use only reliable, credible and unbiased
sources.
Connect all key ideas to the topic and/or writing prompt utilizing transitions,
thus clearly creating fluency and cohesion.
Utilize precise language, domain-specific wording and technical wording
(where appropriate) to communicate information in a formal, objective style.
Include compositional risks (i.e., anecdote, rhetorical question, development
of mood, etc.) that create a voice appropriate to the audience and purpose.
22
Draft a conclusion paragraph or section that flows logically from the
information or explanation presented in the essay and effectively concludes
thoughts presented in the work, all without repeating what was already
stated or introducing new information.
Apply the rules of Standard English presented through mini-lessons as well
as those offered during teacher conferences when drafting and when editing
his/her draft.
Assessments: Suggested assessments, but not limited to those listed
Formative:
Graphic organizer, note-taking sheets, etc. to assess pre-writing
Teacher conference, observations and anecdotal records
Writer’s notebook
Self-editing, peer-editing, or teacher-editing checklists
Benchmark:
Completion of informational essay, using Informational Writing Rubric
adapted from Collections, 2017 (benchmark)
Core Instructional Materials:
Collections (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017)
Text-specific prompts will be embedded into literary or informational units
of study
Graphic organizers
Interdisciplinary Connections:
One method a writer can use to support his/her argument is to provide
evidence from history or science. Thus, including the history or science
teacher in the discussion of informational writing is key. Co-planning and co-
teaching lessons on how to support one’s opinion using evidence from history
would provide a wonderful co-teaching opportunity.
Contemporary events that connect to historical or scientific topics also
provide an opportunity for cross-content reading and writing.
23
Technology Connections:
Students can be provided time on the computer to research a particular topic
District databases are available for students to ensure reliability of sources
All student drafting, peer and self-revising and editing, teacher feedback and
publishing can be completed in Google Drive
Support resources (i.e., A&E videos, informational writing prompts and texts,
etc. are provided in the Collections online teacher resource kit)
Accommodations or Modifications for Special Education, ESL or Gifted
Learners:
Topics can be differentiated based upon student interest, complexity of
content, etc. Students can also be asked to choose a topic to investigate and
research to serve as the focus of an informational essay.
In the writing workshop, mini-lessons provide guidance for students to
improve their writing. Such mini-lessons are planned based upon the needs
of the students, thus incorporating differentiation into planning and
instruction.
Individual conferences are held, at which time teachers model good writing
and provide individual instruction and/or feedback to students to meet each
child’s individual needs. Such a format supports the struggling writer while
challenging the gifted writer.
Models and mentor texts must be provided so that students struggling with a
concept or who are reluctant writers have exemplars surrounding them;
individual or small group conferences provide time for a teacher to help
students make connections between a mentor text(s) and their own writing.
Gifted writers and thinkers can be challenged to think beyond the literal by
providing them with insightful, powerful, somewhat challenging quotes as the
focus of explanatory essays. Students can also be given time to conduct
research on the history, interpretation and use of selected quotes.
List of Applicable Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:
Writing Standards: WS.9-10.2a, WS.9-10.2b, WS.9-10.2c, WS.9-10.2d, WS.9-
10.2e, WS.9-10.2f, WS.9-10.4, WS.9-10.5, WS.9-10.9
24
Unit 6: Argument Writing
[Pacing – 15 Days; some are embedded into reading units of study]
Why Is This Unit Important?
This unit will focus on the craft of argumentative essay writing and will help
students to develop the skills needed to effectively persuade an audience. Topics
presented for argumentative/persuasive written responses may be based upon age-
appropriate controversial issues, current events, or controversial topics that reveal
themselves when reading the literature or informational texts assigned in class. The
Big Ideas embedded through this unit are:
The purpose of argument writing is for a writer to clearly and powerfully
communicate his or her position to a reader and to support that position with
factual information (i.e., history, scientific evidence, current events,
information presented in literature) in order to support his/her argument.
The ideas presented in the essay must support a clearly worded thesis
(purpose).
Strong essays must meet certain criteria including the following: the opening
and closing are evident; main idea is clearly expressed in the thesis, is
maintained throughout the essay and is supported with specific details; word
choice is powerful and language is skillfully used; voice is clear and powerful;
sentence structure is used correctly; a consistent verb tense is maintained
throughout a piece; and Standard English is used effectively.
Writers continually revise and edit their work to improve their writing,
specifically focusing on organization, development, voice, word choice,
sentence structure and the conventions of writing.
Enduring Understandings:
A thesis statement is the main claim that a writer is making (i.e., a position
or argument) and is supporting throughout the essay.
Support can take the form of definitions, details, or quotations, must be
factual and must be retrieved from a reliable source.
A writer must be cognizant of task, purpose and audience and must maintain
an appropriate style and tone throughout the piece.
A writer’s selection of words is one of the most important factors he/she
must consider when writing; knowledge of one’s audience and precision of
language are essential.
A writer’s voice must be passionate and powerful so his/her message is
clearly conveyed.
Writing is never 'done' and can always be improved. It is a recursive process,
so writers can move from stage to stage, either forward or backward.
25
Essential Questions:
What is the purpose of argumentative essay writing? What differentiates
argument writing from other forms of writing (i.e., informational, expository,
narrative, speculative)?
Why is it important to consider task, audience and purpose when organizing
one’s writing?
How can one utilize evidence from literature when supporting one’s position
in an argumentative piece?
What does the literary term voice mean? How does one include voice in his
or her writing?
Why is vivid and precise use of language so important?
What is Standard English and why is it important to use Standard English in
academic writing?
Acquired Knowledge:
To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic, one must
support a claim with valid reasoning and detailed, relevant and sufficient
evidence from credible sources.
An effective argument not only acknowledges the opposing point of view, but
also distinguishes it from the opposing claim and respectfully discredits it.
Both claims and counterclaims must be presented fairly, evidence for each
must be supplied and strengths and limitations of both are necessary. In
doing so, a clear argument can be developed based upon the strength of one
particular side.
Predicting the audience’s knowledge and level of concern is essential and
must be addressed when presenting claims and counterclaims.
Argumentative essay writing sustains a formal style and objective tone based
solely on fact.
The voice a writer projects in an argumentative piece must be passionate
and convincing; the voice must match the purpose.
A concluding paragraph or section must flow from the argument and end
powerfully (i.e., call to action, symbolic ending, reconnection to the
beginning, etc.).
26
Acquired Skills:
Read information related to a topic or issue and determine a position based
upon relevant facts from reliable sources.
Use credible sources when supporting a position, fully explain the relevance
of both claims and counterclaims and present a logical, detailed explanation
of reasoning.
Provide both claims and counterclaims, anticipating the level of knowledge
and concerns of an audience and addressing such issues, culminating in an
argument.
Utilize transitions to create a natural flow among ideas, specifically noting the
differences between claims and counterclaims so the writer does not change
'positions'.
Maintain an objective style and tone appropriate for the purpose and
audience of the piece.
Write with a passionate, authentic and convincing voice that is appropriate to
purpose and audience.
Draft a conclusion section that flows naturally from the argument, ends
powerfully and attempts to leave the reader thinking (i.e., call to action,
symbolic ending, circular ending, etc.).
Apply the rules of Standard English presented through mini-lessons as well
as those offered during teacher conferences when drafting and when editing
his/her draft.
Assessments: Suggested assessments, but not limited to those listed
Formative:
Graphic organizer such as a Roman Numeral outline
Teacher conference, observations and anecdotal records
Writer’s notebook
Self-editing, peer-editing, or teacher-editing checklists
Benchmark:
Complete an argument-based essay, using Argument Writing Rubric
adapted from Collections, 2017
Core Instructional Materials:
Collections (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017)
Articles or texts presenting multiple sides or interpretations of debatable
or controversial issues
Self, peer and teacher revising and editing checklists
Supplemental Instructional Materials:
District databases including Facts on File: Issues and Controversies
27
Interdisciplinary Connections:
Argumentative essay prompts can connect to topics that are presented in
other content areas.
Environmental issues such as pollution and recycling can be addressed
Controversial issues connect to the first amendment and freedom of speech
can be discussed in history class
Seatbelt laws or drug testing in schools easily connect to content discussed in
health classes.
Technology Connections:
Lessons and resources to help students develop evidence-based arguments
are available on websites such as Read Write Think
([Link]
guides/[Link]) and Achieve the
Core ([Link]
samples?filter_cat=503&sort=dlc).
District databases such as Facts on File: Issues and Controversies
All student drafting, peer and self-revising and editing, teacher feedback and
publishing can be completed in Google Drive
Accommodations or Modifications for Special Education, ESL, or Gifted
Learners:
Writing prompts can be differentiated based upon student interest, difficulty
of content, etc. Students can also be asked to self-select the topic of their
argumentative essay, especially when initially introducing form and
structure; providing choice has been shown to motivate reluctant writers.
In the writing workshop, mini-lessons provide guidance for students to
improve their writing. Such mini-lessons are planned based upon the needs
of the students, thus incorporating differentiation into planning and
instruction.
Individual conferences are held, at which time teachers model good writing
and provide individual instruction and/or feedback to students to meet each
child’s individual needs. Such a format supports the struggling writer while
challenging the gifted writer.
Models and exemplary benchmarks must be provided so that students
struggling with a concept or who are reluctant writers have exemplars
surrounding them; individual or small group conferences provide time for a
teacher to help students make connections between a mentor text(s) and
their own writing.
Gifted writers and thinkers can be challenged to write about content-based
persuasive or argumentative essays. This could potentially require gifted
readers and writers to conduct research, read nonfiction texts, synthesize
information, evaluate research for bias, form his/her own opinion and then
write a response in a structured way.
28
List of Applicable Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:
Writing Standards: WS.9-10.1a, WS.9-10.1b, WS.9-10.1c, WS.9-10.1d,
WS.9-10.1e, WS.9-10.4, WS.9-10.5, WS.9-10.9, WS.9-10.10
29
Sample Standards Integration
21st Century Skills & Career Readiness Practices
CRP8. Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere
in solving them.
In unit 2, ninth grade students synthesize ideas in order to write an analytical
essay. Analytical essays require critical reading, critical thinking, and critical
thinking skills to support their ideas. Students must use evidence from texts, as
well as develop a clear thesis statement. An analytical essay forces students to
make sense of a problem and to provide evidence in order to come to a
resolution.
Technology Integration
8.1.12.A.1 Create a personal digital portfolio which reflects personal and
academic interests, achievements, and career aspirations by using a
variety of digital tools and resources.
Throughout the grade nine English course students are producing multiple writing
pieces across several genres. Work collected in the portfolio may also include
Power Point Presentations and other types of assignments. Students keep all of
their work in a digital portfolio for the duration of the course. Many teachers use
Google classroom for students to maintain and edit their portfolio. Using this
platform allows for students to share their work with teachers and other students.
Students reflect on their work throughout the semester and keep reflections on
their body of work in the portfolio.
Interdisciplinary Connection: Visual and Performing Arts
1.2.12.A.1 Determine how dance, music, theatre, and visual art have
influenced world cultures throughout history.
In unit 1, ninth grade students study various works within a specific literary era.
Students can learn how the drama, artwork and music of that era are connected to
the writing of that time period. By researching art and music from a particular era,
students can see the how the influence of that culture connects to our lives today
and supports our understanding of that time period.
30
Appendix: Curricular Resources
English I
Unit of Study Standards Current Updated Example
Instructional Supplemental Activity(ies)
Materials: Texts:
Unit 1: The Close, Diversity & Find a short
Analytical Reading Inclusion Law: Introduce short story story and
of Literature and (N.J.S.A. unit with this video- analyze it for
Information 18A:35-4.36a) TedEd Talk "The character and
Danger of a single plot:
story"
SHORT
STORY
Diverse short stories ANALYSIS
Personal
Narrative
writing
The Many Facets of Diversity & Lists of supplemental Consider
Love, Sorrow and Inclusion Law: texts with summaries pulling
Loss (N.J.S.A. excerpts from
18A:35-4.36a) various texts
For analysis
with Romeo &
Juliet
31