**note: Please open Teacher Resources in Internet Explorer

This unit of study is aimed at 6th grade students. The unit addresses the following Connecticut Curriculum Standards for K-12 English/Language Arts:

Standard One-  Reading and Responding

Overarching Idea:  Students read, comprehend and respond in individual, literal, critical and evaluative ways to literary, informational and persuasive texts in multimedia formats. 

Guiding Question:  How do we understand what we read?

Component Statements:

·  1.1 Students use appropriate strategies before, during and after reading in order to construct meaning.

·  1.2  Students interpret, analyze and evaluate text in order to extend understanding and appreciation.

·  1.4  Students communicate with others to create interpretations of written, oral and visual texts.

Standard Two- Exploring and Responding to Literature

Overarching Idea:  Students read and respond to classical and contemporary texts from many cultures and literary periods. 

Guiding Question: How does literature enrich our lives?

Component Statements:

·        2.3 Students recognize and appreciate that contemporary and classical literature has shaped human thought.

·        2.4 Students recognize that readers and authors are influenced by individual, social, cultural and historical contexts.

Standard 3: Communicating with Others

Overarching Idea:  Students produce written, oral and visual texts to express, develop and substantiate ideas and experiences.

Guiding Question: How do we write, speak and present effectively?

Component Statements:

3.1    Students use descriptive, narrative, expository, persuasive and poetic modes.

3.2    Students prepare, publish and/or present work appropriate to audience, purpose and task.

Standard 4: Applying English Language Conventions

Overarching Idea:  Students apply the conventions of standard English in oral, written and visual communication.

Guiding Question: How do we use the English language appropriately to speak and write?

Component Statements:

4.1    Students use knowledge of their language and culture to improve competency in English.

4.2    Students speak and write using standard language structures and diction appropriate to audience and task.

4.3    Students use standard English for composing and revising written text.