Parallel Curriculum Units for Language Arts, Grades 6-12

by Jeanne H. Purcell

• ISBN13: 9781412965385
• ISBN10: 1412965381
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-08-25
• Publisher: Corwin Pr

Summary

'The Parallel Curriculum Model (PCM) holds the power to help students and teachers 'see the whole' of what they are learning. We invite practitioners to read more about this model and join us on a professional journey that we believe will yield that joy and wisdom that comes from seeing the whole. To address the varying needs of teachers across the K'12 grade span-as well as different content areas-we decided to create a series of curriculum units, based on PCM, that could be used by practitioners. It is our hope that the lessons not only underscore important and discipline-specific content, but also illuminate the four parallels in unique and enduring ways.'-From the IntroductionWant to create rigorous learning opportunities for students in language arts based on a deeper understanding of pedagogy and curriculum design? As demonstrated in the best-selling book The Parallel Curriculum, the Parallel Curriculum Model (PCM) allows teachers to determine student performance levels and design intellectual challenges that help students develop expertise in specific subject areas.Parallel Curriculum Units for Language Arts, Grades 6'12 provides sample language arts units written by practising teachers to demonstrate what high-quality curriculum looks like within a PCM framework. Covering a variety of topics-including narrative voice, literary criticism, and writing original pieces-these field-tested units each contain:- Teacher rationales explaining the unit design- Connections to concepts, skills, and national or state standards- Step-by-step directions for delivering the lessons and unit- Modification strategies, assessments, and reproduciblesUse these examples to design your own units and deepen your understanding of how the PCM framework helps tailor curriculum to the abilities, interests, and learning preferences of each learner.

Table of Contents

About the Editors

About the Contributors

Introduction to the Parallel Curriculum Model

Understanding and Finding Your Author's Voice: An Intermediate Language Arts Unit (Grades 6-7)

Introduction to the Unit

Content Framework

Assessments

Unit Sequence, Description, and Teacher Reflections

The Contributors to Identity

Shaping Your Voice

The Influences on Mood

Analyzing an Author's Voice

Finding the Right Voice and Mood for Your Purpose

Your Turn

The LIttle Napoleon in Us All: Literary Criticism and the Battle for Power (Grade 8)

Introduction to the Unit

Content Framework

Assessments

Unit Sequence, Description, and Teacher Reflections

Preassessment/Brainstorming

What Is Allegory?

Diary of an Author

Write a Personal Allegory

Character Analysis, Part I

Orwell's Responsibility

Literary Criticism

WRite a Literary Critique of Animal Farm

Character Analysis Map, Part II

What Is a Classic?

Survivor: The Isms

Final Assessment

Reacting to a Literary Model: Writing Original Pieces (Grades 9-10)

Introduction to the Unit

Content Framework

Assessments

Unit Sequence, Description, and Teacher Reflections

Preassessment

Setting and Mood

Creating Realistic Characters

Prejudice, Conflict, and Theme

Postassessment

You Be the Critic: Understanding, Using, and Writing Literary Criticism (Grades 11-12)

Introduction to the Unit

Content Framework

Assessments

Unit Sequence, Description, and Teacher Reflections

Introduction to Literary Criticism

Analyzing a Fictional passage for Content

Character Development and Point of View

Understanding Tone

What Is Style?

Recognizing Style

Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devices

The Persuasive Essay and the Editorial

Writing a Literary Analysis

Index

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