Rationale
With Pennsylvania's new Common Core Standards still in draft form it's admittedly a little difficult to attach learning to any specific words unquestioningly, but with where they stand as of my writing, these lessons meet them all directly. In particular the unit and overall course satisfy the Common Core's emphasis upon non-fiction texts, as well as the interest in text complexity. Reading and writing in balance is another key to the unit, as well as synthesizing multiple texts within a historical and thematic approach to literature.
1.2 Reading Informational Text
Students read, understand, and respond to informational text – with emphasis on comprehension, making connections among ideas and between texts with focus on textual evidence.
CC.1.2.11-12.A
Determine and analyze the relationship between two or more central ideas of a text, including the development and interaction of the central ideas; provide an objective summary of the text
CC.1.2.11-12.B
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences and conclusions based on and related to an author's implicit and explicit assumptions and beliefs.
CC.1.2.11-12.C
Analyze the interaction and development of a complex set of ideas, sequence of events, or specific individuals over the course of the text.
CC.1.2.11-12.D
Evaluate how an author's point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
CC.1.2.11-12.E
Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.
CC.1.2.11-12.F
Evaluate how words and phrases shape meaning and tone in texts.
CC.1.2.11-12.G
Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g. visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.
CC.1.2.11-12.H
Analyze seminal texts based upon reasoning, premises, purposes, and arguments.
CC.1.2.11-12.I
Analyze foundational U.S. and world documents of historical, political, and literary significance for their themes, purposes, and rhetorical features.
CC.1.2.11-12.J
Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
CC.1.2.11-12.K
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade level reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies and tools.
CC.1.2.11-12.L
Read and comprehend literary non-fiction and informational text on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.
1.3 Reading Literature
Students read and respond to works of literature - with emphasis on comprehension, making connections among ideas and between texts with focus on textual evidence.
CC.1.3.11-12.A
Determine and analyze the relationship between two or more themes or central ideas of a text, including the development and interaction of the themes; provide an objective summary of the text.
CC.1.3.11-12.B
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences and conclusions based on and related to an author's implicit and explicit assumptions and beliefs.
CC.1.3.11-12.C
Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama.
CC.1.3.11-12.D
Evaluate how an author's point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
CC.1.3.11-12.E
Evaluate the structure of texts including how specific sentences, paragraphs and larger portions of the texts relate to each other and the whole.
Comments: