This unit is designed to teach "voice" to sixth grade students by incorporating reading and writing activities. Voice is a writing trait that brings personality and depth to an individual's written expression. Voice will be taught through three different genres: picture books, poetry, and novels. The unit will take about three weeks to complete. Voice can be an abstract concept to teach. It is critical that teachers model voice by reading very rich descriptive poetry and literature to their students. I will structure this unit by using picture books for read aloud, poetry books for small group instruction, and the unit will culminate with the reading of age appropriate novels written in first person that the students will be exposed to through read aloud, literature circles, and independent reading.

(Developed for Language Arts, Writing, and Reading, grade 6; recommended for Language Arts and Reading, grades 5-6)