Teacher of Record: Week 1

Duration: 1 full class period (66 minutes)

Date: Wednesday Feb. 11th 2015

Subjects: ELA
CCGPS Standards: ELA

ELACC8RL1: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
ELACC8RL4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings;
analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
ELACC8SL1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on
grade 8 topics and texts, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Enduring Understandings:
ELA:
Discussion, both formal and informal, requires active listening, purposeful questioning, and thoughtful dialogue, which lead to deeper
understanding and an appreciation of ideas and perspectives.

Knowledge and use of a rich vocabulary deepen understanding and enhance communication.

Fiction is an invented literary narrative based on real life, an author's imagination, or a combination of the two, which can express
universal truths and insights into the human condition.

Understanding a text requires interpreting the author's words, intent, purpose, or message, and supporting that interpretation with
evidence.

Essential Questions:
ELA:

1. How and to what extent does fiction reflect both real life experiences and the author's imagination?
2. How does fiction express universal truths and insights into the human condition?
3. How does discussion lead to a deeper understanding of ideas and perspectives?
4. How can such strategies such as predicting, making connections, making inferences, using context clues, and summarizing enhance
our understanding of text?
5. Why do we need to go beyond the literal meaning of a text to interpret the author's words, intent, purpose, and message?
6. How does relating a text to our own background and experience enhance our understanding of it?
Resources:
Alas Babylon
Hook:
ELA: (5 minutes)
1. Check all six literature circle roles.
2. If the student has completed all six, he or she will be given the opportunity to form a literature circle with others who have also
completed the roles
3. If the student has not completed all six roles, he or she will need to finish the roles independently
Introduction:
ELA: (15 minutes)
1. Students will form literature circles.
2. Students will compare their six roles with their group members. If they did not have something another group member did, they will
then add that information to their notes.
Body:
ELA: (25 minutes)

1. The literature circles will focus on Vocabulary Enricher, Literary Luminary, and Character Caption
2. As a ticket out the door, they will need to compile a list for all three of the above roles as a whole group
Closure:
ELA: (10 minutes)
1. Come back together as a whole group.
2. Go around the room and have each student share one thing they were able to contribute to their literature circle.
3. Turn in Ticket out the Door
Assessment of Progress & Criteria used to evaluate success:
ELA:
Individual six literature circle roles, groups ticket out the door of VE, CC, and LL, and observation of literature circle collaboration
Homework:
ELA:
Complete all six literature circle roles (Artful Adventure, Character Caption, Discussion Director, Literary Luminary, Connector, and
Vocabulary Enricher) for Alas Babylon Chapter 5. This will be used as a ticket IN the door tomorrow. You must have all six roles complete in
order to work in a literature circle group tomorrow during class.