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ELA 2019 G7:M4:U3

Spread the Message: We Can Make a Difference!

Each unit is made up of a sequence of between 10-18 lessons. The Unit-at-a-Glance charts, available on the grade-level landing pages, break down each unit's lessons, showing CCS standards, agenda breakdown, daily learning targets, and ongoing assessments. The charts also indicate which lessons include mid- and end of unit assessments and the performance task.

View the unit overview

Lesson 1Create a Documentary Clip: Analyze a Model Documentary
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – RI.7.1 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Review Documentary Techniques – RI.7.7 (10 minutes)

B. Analyze a Model Documentary Script – SL.7.4 (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Form Documentary Triads – SL.7.1 (10 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Begin Action Plan: Students consider and solidify their personal action plans. They research a solution to plastic pollution, write letters to a government official or agency, or carry out a personal action. Students record their plans, research, and the actions they’ve taken on Homework: Action Plan Journal. Students complete all sections of the action plan journal, including one note in the final research or results section, which will be added to throughout the unit as their action plans progress.
  • I can explore a model documentary and generate ideas for my own documentary clip. (RI.7.7)
  • I can determine the purpose and analyze the content of an effective documentary script about plastic pollution. (SL.7.4)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 3, Lesson 1 (RI.7.1)
  • Work Time A: Analyze a Model Documentary note-catcher (RI.7.7, SL.7.2, SL.7.4)
  • Work Time B: Model Documentary Script annotations (SL.7.2)
  • Closing and Assessment A: Exit Ticket: Unit 3, Lesson 1 (SL.7.1)

Lesson 2Create a Documentary Clip: Draft a Narrative Lead
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – W.7.3 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Analyze a Model Narrative Lead in a Documentary Script – W.7.3 (10 minutes)

B. Draft a Narrative Lead for a Documentary Script – W.7.3 (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Triad Share – W.7.4 (10 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Continue Action Plan: Students continue to work on their personal action plans. Students record their plans, research, and actions they’ve taken in their action plan journals, including at least one new note in the final research or results section.
  • I can determine criteria for an effective narrative lead in a documentary. (W.7.3)
  • I can write the narrative lead for a documentary script using effective techniques and relevant descriptive details. (W.7.3)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 3, Lesson 2 (W.7.3)
  • Work Time A: Model Documentary Script annotations (W.7.3)
  • Work Time B: Narrative lead draft (W.7.3) 

Lesson 3Create a Documentary Clip: Combine Leads
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – L.7.3a (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Combine Narrative Leads – W.7.5 (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Work on Action Plan – W.7.7, W.7.8 (20 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Continue Action Plan: Students continue to work on their personal action plans. Students record their plans, research, and actions they’ve taken in their action plan journal, including at least one new note in the final research or results section.
  • I can work with my peers to strengthen the narrative lead of our documentary script. (W.7.5)
  • I can choose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy. (L.7.3a)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 3, Lesson 3 (L.7.3a)
  • Work Time A: Documentary Script lead (W.7.3, W.7.5)
  • Closing and Assessment A: Documentary Script planner (W.7.7, W.7.8, SL.7.4)

Lesson 4Create a Documentary Clip: Draft a Documentary Script
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – SL.7.1 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Triad Action Plan – W.7.4, W.7.5 (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Draft a Documentary Clip Script – SL.7.4 (25 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Action Plan: Students continue to work on their personal action plans. Students record their plans, research, and actions they’ve taken in their action plan journals, including at least one new note in the final research or results section.

B. Complete the Script: Students complete their script as necessary.
  • I can collaborate with my group to strengthen our documentary script by planning and discussing how to focus on purpose and audience. (W.7.5)
  • I can write my documentary script with claims and findings, emphasizing important points in a focused, clear manner. (SL.7.4) 
  • I can write my documentary script with key descriptions, facts, details, and examples. (SL.7.4)
  • Opening A: Action Plan Progress anchor chart (SL.7.1)
  • Work Time A: Documentary Script planner (W.7.5)
  • Closing and Assessment A: Documentary Script draft (SL.7.4)

Lesson 5Create a Documentary Clip: Revise the Script
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – SL.7.1 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Triad Action Plan – W.7.4, W.7.5 (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Combine and Revise Documentary Script – SL.7.4 (20 minutes) 

4. Homework

A. Action Plan: Students continue to work on their personal action plans. Students record their plans, research, and actions they’ve taken in their action plan journals, including at least one new note in the final research or results section.

B. Independent Research Reading: Students read for at least 20 minutes in their independent research reading text. Then they select a prompt and write a response in their independent reading journal.
  • I can collaborate with my group to strengthen our documentary script, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (W.7.5)
  • I can choose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy. (L.7.3a)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 3, Lesson 5 (SL.7.1)
  • Work Time A: Documentary Script (W.7.4, W.7.5, SL.7.4)

Lesson 6Mid-Unit 3 Assessment: Revise and Edit Documentary Script (Lessons 6-7)
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Language Dive: Model Documentary Script, Argument Section – SL.7.4 (15 minutes)

B. Tuning Protocol – W.7.5 (30 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Mid-Unit 3 Assessment: Revise and Edit a Documentary Script – W.7.5 (40 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Reflect on Writing Process: Students reflect on their improvement as writers over the course of the writing process from planning to writing to revision and set goals for future writing to complete Homework: Reflect on Writing Process.

B. Independent Research Reading: Students read for at least 20 minutes in their independent research reading text. Then they select a prompt and write a response in their independent reading journal.

  • I can revise and strengthen a documentary script, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (W.7.5)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 3, Lessons 6-7
  • Work Time A: Language Dive: Model Documentary Script, Argument Section (SL.7.4) 
  • Work Time C: Revisions and Edits to Documentary Script (W.7.5)

Lesson 8Pitch a Documentary Clip: Analyze a Model Documentary Storyboard
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – SL.7.5 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Review the Performance Task – SL.7.5 (5 minutes)

B. Analyze a Model Documentary Storyboard – SL.7.5 (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Begin Documentary Storyboard – SL.7.4 (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Optional: Continue Storyboard: If students have access to the appropriate technology or materials, they can continue working on their storyboards, to be completed in the following lesson.

B. Independent Research Reading: Students read for at least 20 minutes in their independent research reading text. Then they select a prompt and write a response in their independent reading journal.
  • I can generate criteria for a documentary clip storyboard on plastic pollution. (SL.7.4, SL.7.5)
  • I can create a storyboard with images, captions, and my documentary clip script on plastic pollution. (SL.7.4, SL.7.5)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 3, Lesson 8 (SL.7.5)
  • Work Time B: Analyze a Model Documentary Storyboard note-catcher (SL.7.5)

Lesson 9Pitch a Documentary Clip: Create a Storyboard
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – SL.7.5 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Create a Storyboard – SL.7.5 (35 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Share Storyboard – SL.7.5 (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Optional: Finish Storyboard: If students have the technology or access to materials, they can finish work on their portions of the storyboards.

B. Independent Research Reading: Students read for at least 20 minutes in their independent research reading text. Then they select a prompt and write a response in their independent reading journal.

  • I can create a storyboard with images, captions, and my documentary clip script on plastic pollution. (SL.7.4, SL.7.5)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 3, Lesson 9 (SL.7.5)
  • Work Time A: Storyboard (SL.7.5)

Lesson 10Pitch a Documentary Clip: Practice Presentation
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – SL.7.4 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Model Documentary Clip Pitch – SL.7.4 (10 minutes)

B. Practice Documentary Clip Pitch – SL.7.4 (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Tuning Protocol: Presentation Skills – SL.7.4 (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Optional: Practice Documentary Pitch and Begin Filming: Students have the option to practice their documentary clip pitch, focusing on the part of the pitch they are responsible for in their triads, or to begin filming, if they have access to the technology and are ready to begin recording the documentary.

B. Independent Research Reading: Students read for at least 20 minutes in their independent research reading text. Then they select a prompt and write a response in their independent reading journal.
  • I can present my documentary pitch in a formal, focused, and clear way, emphasizing important points. (SL.7.4, SL.7.6)
  • I can use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation to present. (SL.7.4)
  • I can use visual displays in my storyboard to clarify and emphasize points. (SL.7.5)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 3, Lesson 10 (SL.7.4, SL.7.5, SL.7.6)
  • Work Time A: Documentary Pitch note-catcher (SL.7.4, SL.7.5, SL.7.6)
  • Work Time B: Presentation checklist (SL.7.4, SL.7.5, SL.7.6) 

Lesson 11End of Unit 3 Assessment: Pitch a Documentary Clip (Lessons 11-12)
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – SL.7.4 (10 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Practice Documentary Clip Pitch – SL.7.4 (10 minutes)

B. End of Unit 3 Assessment: Pitch a Documentary Clip (45 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Self-Assess – SL.7.4 (10 minutes)

B. Independent Research Reading Share – RI.7.10 (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Optional: Begin Filming: If students have the technology to film (with a phone or other device), they can begin filming scenes for their documentary clip.

B. Independent Research Reading: Students read for at least 20 minutes in their independent research reading text. Then they select a prompt and write a response in their independent reading journal.
  • I can present my documentary pitch in a formal, focused and clear way, emphasizing important points. (SL.7.4, SL.7.6)
  • I can use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation to present. (SL.7.4)
  • I can use visual displays in my storyboard to clarify and emphasize points. (SL.7.5)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 3, Lesson 11 (SL.7.4)
  • Work Time A: End of Unit 3 Assessment: Pitch a Documentary Clip (SL.7.4, SL.7.5, SL.7.6)

Lesson 13Performance Task: Create a Documentary Clip (Lessons 13-14)
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – SL.7.5 (10 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Film Documentary Clip – SL.7.5 (30 minutes)

B. Edit Documentary Clip – SL.7.5 (35 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Chalk Talk – SL.7.5 (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Complete the Documentary Filming and Editing: If students don’t finish their documentary film clip in class and technology allows, they can do so for homework.

B. Publish the Documentary Clip: If students don’t publish their documentary clip in class and technology allows, they can do so for homework based on school policy and teacher guidance and recommendations for family, friends, and/or social media.

  • I can use multimedia components like video editing with images, camera techniques, voice-over, interviews, graphics, text, statistics, and music to clarify and emphasize points. (SL.7.5)
  • Work Time A and B: Documentary Clip (SL.7.5)
  • Closing and Assessment A: Chalk Talk comments (SL.7.5)

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