Civil War and Slavery Literature Circle Unit

Competency Goals

English Language Arts:

Competency Goal One:

1.01 Expand and refine vocabulary through knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, roots, derivatives, and etymologies (word origins) to assist comprehension.
 

1.02 Select key vocabulary critical to the text and apply appropriate meanings as necessary for comprehension.

1.03 Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:

wide reading.
word study.
word reference materials.
content area study.
writing process elements.
writing as a tool.
debate.
discussions.
seminars.
examining the author’s craft.
 

1.04 Use word reference materials (e.g., glossary, dictionary, thesaurus, on-line reference tools) to identify and comprehend unknown words.

1.05 Read independently daily from self-selected materials (consistent with the student’s independent reading level) to:

increase fluency.
build background knowledge.
expand and refine vocabulary.

Competency Goal 2:  The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.

 2.01 Use metacognitive strategies independently and flexibly to monitor comprehension and extend vocabulary (e.g., skim, scan, reread the text, consult other sources, ask for help, summarize, paraphrase, question).
 

2.02 Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, and viewing by:

making predictions.
formulating questions.
supporting answers from textual information, previous experience, and/or other sources.
drawing on personal, literary, and cultural understandings.
seeking additional information.
 

2.03 Read a variety of texts, such as:

fiction (tall tales, myths).
nonfiction (books of true experience, newspaper and magazine articles, schedules).
poetry (narrative, lyric, and cinquains).
drama (plays and skits).
 

2.04 Identify elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:

plot development.
author’s choice of words.
effectiveness of figurative language (e.g., personification, flashback).
 

2.05 Evaluate inferences, conclusions, and generalizations and provide evidence by referencing the text(s).

2.06 Analyze choice of reading materials congruent with purposes (e.g., reading for information, reading to extend content area learning, reading for pleasure, entertainment).

2.07 Evaluate the usefulness and quality of information and ideas based on purpose, experiences, text(s), and graphics.

2.08 Explain and evaluate relationships that are:

causal.
hierarchical.
temporal.
problem-solution.
 

2.09 Listen actively and critically by:

asking questions.
delving deeper into the topic.
elaborating on the information and ideas presented.
evaluating information and ideas.
making inferences and drawing conclusions.
making judgments.
 

2.10 Identify strategies used by a speaker or writer to inform, entertain, or influence an audience.
 

Competency Goal 3:  The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.

3.01 Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
analyzing word choice and content.
examining reasons for a character’s actions, taking into account the situation and basic motivation of the character.
creating and presenting a product that effectively demonstrates a personal response to a selection or experience.
examining alternative perspectives.
 

3.02 Make connections between texts by recognizing similarities and differences based on a common lesson, theme, or message.

3.03 Justify evaluation of characters and events from different selections by citing supporting evidence in the text(s).
 

3.05 Integrate main idea and supporting details from multiple sources to expand understanding of texts.

3.06 Conduct research (with assistance) from a variety of sources for assigned or self-selected projects (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, computer networks).

3.07 Make informed judgments about:

• bias.
• propaganda.
• stereotyping.
• media techniques.

Competency Goal 4:  The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.

4.01 Read aloud grade-appropriate text with fluency, comprehension, expression, and personal style demonstrating an awareness of volume, pace, audience, and purpose.
 

4.02 Use oral and written language to:

formulate hypotheses.
evaluate information and ideas.
present and support arguments.
influence the thinking of others.
 

4.03 Make oral and written presentations to inform or persuade selecting vocabulary for impact.

4.04 Select a self-evaluated composition for publication and justify rationale for selection.

4.05 Use a variety of preliminary strategies to plan and organize the writing and speaking task considering purpose, audience, and timeline.

4.06 Compose a draft that elaborates on major ideas and adheres to the topic by using an appropriate organizational pattern that accomplishes the purpose of the writing task and effectively communicates its content.

4.07 Compose a variety of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using self-selected topic and format (e.g., poetry, research reports, news articles, letters to the editor, business letters).

4.08 Focus revision on target elements by:

improving word choice.
rearranging text for clarity.
creating simple and/or complex sentences for clarity or impact.
developing a lead, characters, or mood.
 

4.09 Produce work that follows the conventions of particular genres (e.g., clarification, essay, feature story, business letter).

4.10 Use technology as a tool to enhance and/or publish a product.
 

Competency Goal 5: The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.

5.01 Consistently use correct capitalization (e.g., names of magazines, newspapers, organizations) and punctuation (e.g., colon to introduce a list, commas in apposition, commas used in compound sentences).
 

5.02 Demonstrate understanding in speaking and writing by using:

troublesome verbs.
nominative, objective, and possessive pronouns.
 

5.03 Elaborate information and ideas in speaking and writing by using:

prepositional phrases.
transitions.
coordinating and/or subordinating conjunctions.
 

5.04 Determine the impact of word choice on written and spoken language.

5.05 Spell most commonly used words accurately using a multi-strategy approach to the learning of new spellings.

5.06 Proofread for accuracy of spelling using appropriate strategies to confirm spelling and to correct errors.

5.07 Edit final product for grammar, language conventions, and format.

5.08 Create readable documents through legible handwriting and word processing.
 

Social Studies:

Anthropology/ Psychology/ Sociology
Competency Goal 1 The learner will analyze the characteristics of people of the Western Hemisphere.
 

1.1 Identify, locate, and describe major groups of people, past and present, in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
 

1.2 Describe similarities and differences among the people of the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
 

1.3 Assess the role and status of individuals and groups in the United States, Canada, and Latin America, past and present.

Competency Goal 2 The learner will assess the influence of major religions, ethical beliefs, and aesthetic values on life in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

2.3 Analyze economic, social, and political situations which involve ethical and moral dilemmas.

Competency Goal 3 The learner will locate major physical features and suggest the influence of location on life in the Western Hemisphere.
 

3.1 Describe the absolute and relative location of major landforms, bodies of water, and natural resources in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
 

3.2 Analyze the impact of the absolute and relative location of places on ways of living in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
 

Competency Goal 4 The learner will assess the significance of physical and cultural characteristics of regions within the Western Hemisphere.
 

4.1 Define region and identify various regions within the Western Hemisphere.
 

4.2 Compare the physical and cultural characteristics of regions within the Western Hemisphere and within the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

Competency Goal 5 The learner will evaluate ways the people of the Western Hemisphere use, modify and adapt to the physical environment.
 

5.1 Explain how people of the Western Hemisphere adapt and have adapted to the physical environment.

5.2 Describe how the people of the United States, Canada, and Latin America use and modify their physical environments.

Competency Goal 6 The learner will evaluate the significance of the movement of people, goods, and ideas from place to place.
 

6.1 Analyze the movement of people, goods, and ideas within and among the countries of the United States, Canada, and Latin America and between the Western Hemisphere and other places.
 

6.2 Compare ways in which people, goods, and ideas moved in the past in the United States, Canada, and Latin America with their movement today.

6.3 Judge how changes in the movement of people, goods, and ideas have affected ways of living in the Western Hemisphere.
 

Competency Goal 7 The learner will examine the relationship of the United States, Canada, and Latin America to other nations and to world affairs.
 

7.2 Explain how nation-states interact with each other

7.4 Identify the role of major international organizations

Competency Goal 8 The learner will examine ways the people of the United States, Canada, and Latin America govern themselves.

8.2 Analyze how the societies of the United States, Canada, and Latin America deal with the issues of justice.

8.3 Describe how governments in the United States, Canada, and Latin America select leaders and establish laws.

Competency Goal 9 The learner will determine ways societies in the Western Hemisphere make decisions about the allocation and use of economic resources.

9.4 Describe the characteristics of economies in the United States, Canada, and Latin America and how they have changed over time.

9.5 Assess economic institutions in terms of how well they enable people to meet their needs.

Competency Goal 10 The learner will analyze economic relationships in the Western Hemisphere.
 

10.1 Describe ways in which the economy of the United States, Canada, and Latin America are interdependent.
 

10.3 Evaluate the influence of discoveries, inventions, and technological innovations on economic interdependence.

Competency Goal 11 The learner will analyze changes in ways of living and investigate why and how these changes occurred.
 

11.1 Identify and describe changes which have occurred in ways of living in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
 

11.2 Identify examples of cultural transmission and interaction within and among the regions of the Western Hemisphere.

11.3 Evaluate the effects of change on the lives of the people of the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

Competency Goal 12 The learner will trace developments in the history of the United States, Canada, and Latin America and assess their impact on the lives of people today.
 

12.1 Identify people, symbols, and events associated with the heritage of the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
 

12.2 Associate an event or phenomenon in the history of the United States, Canada, and Latin America with a current situation or practice.

12.3 Trace an economic, political, or social development through the history of the United States, Canada, or Latin America and judge its impact on society.
 

Computer Technology Skills:

Competency Goal 1:  The learner will understand important issues of a technology-based society and will exhibit ethical behavior in the use of computer and other technologies.

1.1 Recognize the influence of technology on life in the United States. (SI)

Competency Goal 2:   The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.

2.1 Use technology tools to collect, analyze, and display data. (SI)

2.4 Use a word processing application to create and format a document. (KU/WP/DTP)

Competency Goal 3:   The learner will use a variety of technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize, apply, and communicate information.

                    3.3 Select search strategies to obtain information. (DB)

Information Literacy Skills:


Competency Goal 1:  The learner will EXPLORE sources and formats for reading, listening, and viewing purposes.
 

1.2 Demonstrate competence and self motivation as a reader.

1.4 Acknowledge ownership of ideas.

1.6 Identify characteristics of various genres.

1.8 Select and use independently, both within and outside the school, a variety of resources (print, non-print, electronic) and formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia).                  

1.9 Recognize that ideas are produced in a variety of formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia, web-based).

1.10 Identify characteristics and advantages of various media formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia, web-based) for a specific task.
 

Competency Goal 2:  The learner will IDENTIFY and USE criteria for excellence to evaluate information and formats.

2.1 Identify published criteria of excellence for resources.
 

2.3 Recognize the diversity of ideas and thoughts by exploring a variety of resources (print, non-print, electronic) and formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia, web-based).

2.5 Determine usefulness of information resources.

Competency Goal 3:  The learner will RELATE ideas and information to life experiences.

3.5 Describe how information and ideas are influenced by prior knowledge, personal experience, and social, cultural, political, economic and historical events.
 

Competency Goal 4:  The learner will EXPLORE and USE research processes to meet information needs.

4.5 Gather information.

4.7 Organize and use information.

Competency Goal 5:  The learner will COMMUNICATE reading, listening, and viewing experiences.

5.3 Collaborate with others, both in person and through technologies, to identify information problems and to design, develop, and evaluate information products and solutions.

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