Increasing Student Agency with Nonfiction Text
Students compare deep reading with an iceberg. Instruction focuses on teaching students’ close reading and annotation skills and increasing agency as students dive into informational text. Students are empowered through conversations, tech tools, and co-creation of criteria to read deeply.
Combining Sentences
Students will manipulate word and punctuation cards from mentor sentences to compose and decompose compound sentences.
Tackling Transitions
In this lesson, students will learn how to effectively use transition words. These will be used to connect ideas and organize the flow of their writing so it is coherent.
Documenting Sources and Writing a Bibliography/Works Cited (English III Research )
You will learn how to cite your sources in the body of your research paper and write a works cited page according to the Modern Language Association (MLA) style manual.
Exploring Identity and Diving Deep into the Complex Meaning of Poetry
This lesson is designed to teach students to make complex inferences, choose specific text evidence that strongly supports the inference, and develop a coherent explanation of how the evidence strongly supports the validity of the idea within the genre of poetry.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Related to the Unit
Click below to learn about the TEKS related to this unit.
Fun with First Drafts
The lesson will support students’ writing a first draft of a personal narrative story by providing opportunities to listen to their previously recorded story, review their (graphic organizer) draft web, and add sticky notes with further details to their webs.
Analyze an Argument: Practice 1 (English II Reading)
You will be able to analyze the quality, relevance, and credibility of evidence that supports or opposes an argument.
Compare and Contrast Similar Themes Across Time Periods (English II Reading)
You will be able to compare and contrast similar themes from different genres and different time periods.
Origins and Meanings of Foreign Words and Phrases (English II Reading)
You will become acquainted with the origins and meanings of foreign words and phrases frequently used in English texts.
Reference Materials (e.g., dictionaries, thesauri, glossaries) Printed and Electronic (English II Reading)
You will learn how to use dictionaries, glossaries, and thesauri in order to determine meanings of words and phrases, including their denotations, connotations, and etymologies.
Meter and Rhyme (English II Reading)
You will learn to analyze the meter, rhyme scheme, line length, punctuation, and word position in poetry.
Archetypes, Motifs, and Plot in Drama (English II Reading)
You will understand and analyze how archetypes and motifs in drama affect the plot of plays.
Syntax (English II Reading)
You will be able to evaluate the role of syntax in literary non-fiction such as speeches, essays, and other forms.
Evaluate a Text for its Graphics and Visual Appeal (English II Reading)
You will be able to evaluate a text for the clarity and appeal of its graphics.
Synthesize Information in Charts and Graphs (English II Reading)
You will be able to synthesize information that you find in charts and graphs.
Close Reading of Prose: Practice 2 (English II Reading)
You will read carefully in order to identify diction, tone, and irony, and evaluate their impact on the meaning of a text.
Close Reading of Poetry: Practice 3 (English II Reading)
You will read carefully in order to identify allusion, imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, and evaluate their impact on the meaning of a text.
Capitalization (English II Writing)
You will learn proofreading techniques to use in checking for correct capitalization.
Spelling (English II Writing)
You will learn proofreading techniques to use in checking for correct spelling.
Strategies for Editing: Practice Lesson 1
You will proofread and mark errors in spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.