8th ELAShort Story Boot Camp Unit Overview

Key StandardsOther Standards

ELAGSE8RL8ELAGSE8RL4

ELAGSE8RL2ELAGSE8RL6

ELAGSE8RL3ELACGSEL4

ELAGSE8RL5ELAGSE8RL7

ELAGSE8W1,2

Understandings

Students will understand that . . .

  • Literary elements function together to create an engaging look into human nature.
  • Writing well allows one to present ideas, experiences, etc. to a wide and authentic audience.

Essential Questions

  • Why read literature?
  • Is writing important in an increasingly technological world?

Students will know . . .

  • Literary terminology (see Unit 1 LOTS)
  • Writing terminology (see Unit 1 LOTS)
  • The writing process

Students will be able to . . .

  • cite textutal evidence to support an analysis of a text (RL1)
  • determine theme in a literary text (RL2)
  • analyze the development of theme in a literary text through relationship to character, setting and plot (RL2)
  • analyze how dialogue or plot incidents propel the action, reveal aspects of a character or provoke a decision (RL3)
  • compare and contrast the structure of two texts and analyze how the structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style (RL5)
  • use the writing process to produce clear and coherent explanatory and argumentative texts (W1, W2)

Assessment Evidence

  • One-pagers on theme, character, meaning, style, etc.
  • Structure maps (also dominoes)
  • Dialogue tree map
  • Graphic organizers (theme, style, etc.)
  • Independent reading journals
  • Essays (process and timed)
  • Growth from pre-assessment to post-assessment

Learning Plan

  • One-pager -- How do character, setting and plot make a good story? Explain with favorite movie.
  • Read "Tell-Tale Heart" and complete plot structure diagram
  • Color-coded reading of "Tell-Tale Heart" for dialogue (propels action, reveals character, provokes a decision).
  • Plot dominoes for "Tell-Tale Heart" with questions to show how plot points propel action, reveal character, provoke a decision).
  • Independent reading journals on plot, dialogue, character, setting, etc.
  • Theme organizer -- link to character, setting and plot (TTH)
  • Use plot dominoes for TTH to explore structure
  • Read "Moon Face" and complete plot structure diagram
  • Dialogue tree map -- action, character, decision
  • 5 Photos Theme organizer -- link to character, setting and plot (“Moon Face”)
  • "Tell-Tale Heart" and "Moon Face" plagiarism trial essay
  • Read “The Lottery” and complete plot diagram
  • “The Lottery” dialogue study
  • Symbols and allusions jigsaw using “The Lottery”
  • Point of view study – “The Lottery,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “Moon Face”
  • Style, Meaning and Structure DBQ essay
  • Group discussion on "What makes a good film"
  • View short films of "Tell-Tale Heart" to read a film
  • Film vs. short story evaluation
  • Book vs. Movie T-chart and group discussion
  • Book vs. Movie speeches
  • Unit test

Lesson EQs:

  • How do I cite textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of the text?
  • What is style? How is it created?
  • How do I determine theme?
  • How do character, setting and plot help develop theme?
  • How does dialogue propel action?
  • How does dialogue reveal character?
  • How does dialogue provoke a decision?
  • How do plot events propel action?
  • How do plot events reveal character?
  • How do plot events provoke a decision?
  • What is structure? How do I analyze it?
  • How does structure contribute to meaning?
  • How do I organize ideas, concepts and information in an explanatory text?
  • How do I introduce my topic clearly and preview what is to follow?
  • How do I develop my topic?
  • How do I use transitions effectively?
  • How do I use precise language in my writing?
  • How do I use domain specific vocabulary to explain about my topic?
  • What is formal style?
  • How do I establish and maintain a formal style?
  • How do I write a concluding statement that supports the information I presented?

Unit Language of the Standards

textual evidence

theme

development

characters

setting

plot

dialogue

incidents (plot events)

action

meaning

figurative meaning

connotative meaning

simile

metaphor

symbol

personification

diction

impact

tone

structure

style

point of view

dramatic irony

suspense

humor

informative/explanatory texts

topic

ideas, concepts, information

relevant facts

definitions

details

quotations

examples

transitions

domain specific language

formal style

cohesion

concluding statement

Verbs

cite

analyze

determine

compare

contrast

evaluate

organize

develop