CURRICULUM UNIT FOR 6th GRADE: POINT OF VIEW

By: Ms. Amanullah (Ms. A)

Introduction:
Welcome to my two-week takeover! Ive had the opportunity to
spend the last few weeks with you all. It has been very exciting and
I learned a lot about your reading and writing skills. We have many
wonderful readers and writers in this classroom, so I think you will
find these lessons both challenging and enjoyable.
I have designed a curriculum in which you will learn about an
important literary aspect, Point of View (POV), Standard 6.6. Here
are some of the goals I have for you. Hopefully, we can reach all of
them.
Goals:
Week One:
You will learn how to identify and analyze point of view in a
variety of texts and how it ties to the authors purpose.
You will learn how to use point of view in your own writing.
You will understand that perspective and point of view are
two different things, but are intertwined in a text.
You will reflect on what factors contribute to your perspective
and identity as writer, a student, and a citizen.
Week Two:
You will understand that there are multiple perspectives and
narratives within this classroom and around the world.
You will learn about how your personal narrative is
connected to a much larger narrative; how one perspective
can represent historical and social aspects of the time period.
You will have the opportunity to share your reflections,
thoughts, and writings with your classmates and contemplate
about how you can become a more self-aware person and how
this can help us become a better community.
I know you may have some questions. Lets try to address them.

How are we going to do this?

There are many ways to do these lessons with you and I have
chosen poetry as a major vehicle. From what Ive seen so far with
your Ode to Water poems and Chinese New Year skits, you are all
creative and clever. We will focus on narratives and conduct a
poetry study of the Harlem Renaissance, together. In addition to
poetry, you will read informational texts and other fiction and nonfiction examples for practice.
What do I need?
To give you a hint of what is to come, you will still need your Daily
Journals and Ritual Response books. Besides that, I will provide
you with a folder and loose paper. This is what you will use
throughout our two-week unit to take notes and collect materials.
Please come to class prepared with sharpened pencils and erasers.
Lastly, you need to bring your focus and attention into the room. We
are going to do a lot of things in a short time, so its important that
you are awake (that means, eat a healthy breakfast and get good
sleep every night) and participate (look up at the board or teacher,
respond to your classmates, and try to participate when you can).
What do I have to do?
There will be writing prompts, readings, classwork, and homework.
There will be group work, cooperative pair work, and independent
work. There are some activities for which you must work with
another person and I have faith that we things will go smoothly.
Transitions
Over the last several weeks, Ive noticed that there are a lot of
transitions (moving from one place to another or from one activity
to another) and there are many expectations connected to this. In
my opinion, as a teacher in the classroom, we need to work on
smoothening these transitions as much as possible. This includes
being ready to come to class at 8:25am, standing in proper lines,
following instructions for waiting at checkpoints, and staying quiet
in the hallway and during class instruction.
Classroom norms

Here are the proclamation and norms we came up with together as

a class.
We, the students of 308, proclaim that everyone in this classroom
shall be free to learn, create a better environment, and succeed in
the learning goals.
Do be prepared, study, participate, and work hard to be
successful.
Do act respectful to yourself, to your teachers, and your
classmates (including friends).
Do understand that you are responsible for your work, your
actions, and your education.
Do cooperate and support each other instead of disrupting our
education.
Do act bold and fearless when it comes to challenging work
and situations.
I would like to add the concept of One Mic, which means that during
classroom discussion, I should only hear one voice. Please raise
your hands and kindly remind your classmates of this rule.
All in all, I am super excited to work with you over the next two
weeks and afterwards. You are the most interesting and smart group
of 6th graders Ive ever met. LETS DO THIS, 308!!!!!
Sincerely,

Ms. Amanullah (Ms. A)