Unit-at-a-Glance Detail | EL Education Curriculum

You are here

Home › Our Curriculum › At-a-Glance Charts

ELA G3:M4:U2

Developing an Opinion: The Importance of Water Conservation

Each unit is made up of a sequence of between 5-20 lessons. The “unit at a glance” chart in the curriculum map breaks down each unit into its lessons, to show how the curriculum is organized in terms of standards address, supporting targets, ongoing assessment, and protocols. It also indicates which lessons include the mid-unit and end-of-unit assessments.

View the unit overview

Lesson 1Building Background Knowledge: Challenges Related to Clean Water For Everyone
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Say Something: Water Quote (10 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Reading for Gist: One Well, Pages 26–27 (15 minutes)

B. Poster Walk: Challenges to Having Clean Water (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Debrief (10 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal
  • I can find the gist of an informative text. (RI.3.4, L.3.4)
  • I can find specific details in images that highlight a challenge to having clean water for everyone. (RI.3.1, SL.3.1)
  • Finding the Gist and Unfamiliar Vocabulary: One Well, Page 26 (RI.3.4, L.3.4)
  • Observations during Poster Walk (RI.3.1, SL.3.1)
  • Poster Walk
  • Say Something

Lesson 2Reading Informational Texts: Understanding the Author’s Point of View
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Reading for Gist: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (15 minutes)

B. Language Dive: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (10 minutes)

C. Modeling: Comparing Point of View (25 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Exit Ticket: Comparing Point of View (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal
  • I can find the gist of a narrative nonfiction text. (RI.3.4, L.3.4)
  • I can explain the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. (L.3.5a)
  • I can compare the author's point of view to my own point of view. (RI.3.6)
  • Finding the Gist and Unfamiliar Vocabulary: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (RI.3.4, L.3.4)
  • Exit Ticket: Comparing Point of View (RI.3.6)

Lesson 3Reading Informational Texts: Understanding the Author’s Point of View

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Reading for Gist: "Real Lives: Angola, Africa" (15 minutes)

B. Language Dive: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (10 minutes)

C. Text-Dependent Questions: "Real Lives: Angola, Africa" (25 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Exit Ticket: "Real Lives: Angola, Africa" (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Complete the Language Dive Practice: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind in your Unit 2 homework.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can find the gist of an informational text. (RI.3.4, L.3.4)
  • I can explain the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. (L.3.5a)
  • I can compare the author's point of view to my own point of view. (RI.3.6)
  • Finding the Gist and Unfamiliar Vocabulary: "Real Lives: Angola, Africa" (RI.3.4, L.3.4)
  • Text-Dependent Questions: "Real Lives: Angola, Africa" (RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.4, RI.3.6, RI.3.8, L.3.4a)
  • Exit Ticket: "Real Lives: Angola, Africa" (RI.3.6)

Lesson 4Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Examining Point of View
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Returning End of Unit 1 Assessments (5 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Examining Point of View (35 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Tracking Progress (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can explain the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in "Dry Days in Australia." (RI.3.4, L.3.5a)
  • I can compare the author's point of view to my own point of view. (RI.3.1, RI.3.6)
  • Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Examining Point of View (RI.3.1, RI.3.4, RI.3.6, L.3.5a)

Lesson 5Writing an Opinion Essay: Analyzing a Model
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Reader: Clean, Safe Water for Everyone! (15 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Analyzing a Model (20 minutes)

B. Language Dive: Regular and Irregular Plural Nouns (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Debrief (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Complete the Language Dive Practice: Model Opinion Essay in your Unit 2 homework.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can use the Painted Essay structure to analyze a model. (W.3.1, W.3.5)
  • I can form and use regular and irregular plural nouns. (L.3.1b)
  • The Painted Essay(r) template (W.3.1)

Lesson 6Reading Informational Texts: Researching Possible Solutions for Issues Related to Water
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Reader: One Well, Pages 28–29 (5 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Target (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Guided Practice: Researching Solutions and Importance (20 minutes)

B. Independent Practice: Researching Solutions and Importance (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Pair Share: Water Issues Research (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can research to build knowledge about solutions for and the importance of conserving water. (W.3.7, W.3.8)
  • Research note-catchers (W.3.7, W.3.8)

Lesson 7Writing an Opinion Essay: Planning
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face Protocol: Importance of Protecting Our Water Supply (5minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Target (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Guided Practice: Planning an Opinion Essay (20 minutes)

B. Independent Practice: Planning an Opinion Essay (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Research Reading Share (10 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can plan an opinion essay that states an opinion and has reasons that are supported by facts and details. (RI.3.1, W.3.1a, W.3.1b)
  • Color-coded Research Note-catcher: Water Pollution (RI.3.1, W.3.1a, W.3.1b)

Lesson 8Writing an Opinion Essay: Drafting the Introduction
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. The Painted Essay: Sorting and Color-Coding the Parts of an Introductory Paragraph (10 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Mini Lesson: Forming and Using Regular Plural Nouns (10 minutes)

B. Independent Writing: Writing an Introduction (30 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Complete the Plural Nouns I practice in your Unit 2 homework.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can form and use regular plural nouns. (L.3.1b)
  • I can write an introductory paragraph for my opinion essay giving context on the issue and clearly stating my opinion. (RI.3.1, W.3.1a)
  • Introduction to Opinion Essay: Water Pollution (RI.3.1, W.3.1a)

Lesson 9Writing an Opinion Essay: Drafting Proof Paragraph 1
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Target (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. The Painted Essay: Sorting and Color-Coding the Parts of Proof Paragraphs 1 and 2 (25 minutes)

B. Independent Practice: Writing Proof Paragraph 1 (25 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Complete the Plural Nouns II practice in your Unit 2 homework.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal
  • I can write Proof Paragraph 1 of my opinion essay using evidence from my research to support one reason for my opinion. (RI.3.1, W.3.1a, W.3.1b)
  • Proof Paragraph 1 of Opinion Essay: Water Pollution (RI.3.1, W.3.1a, W.3.1b)

Lesson 10Writing an Opinion Essay: Drafting Proof Paragraph 2
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Mini Lesson: Linking Words and Phrases (20 minutes)

B. Independent Practice: Writing Proof Paragraph 2 (30 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can connect my opinion to the reasons in the proof paragraphs of my essay with linking words and phrases. (W.3.1c)
  • I can write Proof Paragraph 2 of my opinion essay using evidence from my research to support one reason for my opinion. (RI.3.1, W.3.1b)
  • Proof Paragraph 2 of Opinion Essay: Water Pollution (RI.3.1, W.3.1b, W.3.1c)

Lesson 11Writing an Opinion Essay: Drafting the Conclusion
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. The Painted Essay: Sorting the Parts of a Conclusion Paragraph (10 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Mini Lesson: Forming and Using Irregular Plural Nouns (20 minutes)

B. Guided Practice: Writing a Conclusion Paragraph (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Complete the Plural Nouns III practice in your Unit 2 homework.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can form and use irregular plural nouns. (L.3.1b)
  • I can write a conclusion paragraph for my opinion essay that restates the focus of my essay. (RI.3.1, W.3.1a, W.3.1b)
  • Conclusion paragraph of Opinion Essay: Water Pollution (W.3.1d)

Lesson 12Writing an Opinion Essay: Peer Critique
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Peer Critique: Linking Words and Phrases and Plural Nouns (20 minutes)

B.Independent Practice: Revising an Opinion Essay (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Research Reading Share (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Complete the Plural Nouns IV practice in your Unit 2 homework.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can give kind, helpful, and specific feedback to my partner. (SL.3.1)
  • I can revise my opinion essay for linking words and phrases and for correct use of regular and irregular plural nouns. (W.3.1c, L.3.1b)
  • Draft Opinion Essay: Water Pollution with revision notes (W.3.1c, W.3.5, L.3.1b)

Lesson 13End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part I: Drafting an Opinion Essay
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Independent Practice: Planning an Opinion Essay (15 minutes)

B. End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part I: Drafting an Opinion Essay (35 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Preparing for End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part II (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can plan an opinion essay that states an opinion and has reasons that are supported by facts and details. (W.3.1a, W.3.1b)
  • I can write an opinion essay stating my opinion on the importance of protecting our water supply. (RI.3.1, W.3.1a, W.3.1b, W.3.1c, W.3.1d, W.3.4)
  • End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part I (RI.3.1, W.3.1a, W.3.1b, W.3.1c, W.3.1d, W.3.4)

Lesson 14End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part II: Revising an Opinion Essay
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Returning Mid-Unit 2 Assessments (5 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Target (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part II: Revising for Linking Words and Regular and Irregular Plural Nouns (20 minutes)

B. Tracking Progress (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Share: Opinion Essays (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can revise my opinion essay for linking words and phrases and for correct use of regular and irregular plural nouns. (W.3.1c, L.3.1b)
  • End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part II: Revising for Linking Words and Regular and Irregular Plural Nouns (W.3.1c, L.3.1b)

Get updates about our new K-5 curriculum as new materials and tools debut.

Sign Up

Help us improve our curriculum.

Tell us what’s going well, share your concerns and feedback.

Terms of use. To learn more about EL Education, visit eleducation.org

Leave feedback