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

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ELA 2019 G8:M2:U2

Research Access to Healthy Food

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.

Lesson 1Introduction to Research Project: How Do GMOs Influence Our Access to Healthy Food?

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – W.8.7 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Introduce GMO Research Project (10 minutes)

B. Read “To GMO or NOT to GMO?” and Track Access to Healthy Food – W.8.8 (25 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Whole-Class Share – W.8.7 (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. 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 cite evidence that supports the influence GMOs have on our access to healthy food. (RI.8.1, W.8.8)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 1 (W.8.7)
  • Work Time B: Access to Healthy Food Research: GMOs note-catcher (RI.8.1, W.8.7, W.8.8)

Lesson 2Introduce Internet Research: GMOs

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – W.8.8 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Research Mini Lesson: Search Terms and Credibility of Sources – W.8.8 (15 minutes)

B. Research GMOs and Track Access to Healthy Food – W.8.7 (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Partner Share (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. 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 assess the credibility of digital sources while conducting research. (W.8.7, W.8.8)
  • I can use search terms effectively to gather information from digital sources. (W.8.7, W.8.8)
  • I can conduct research to answer a question about how GMOs influence our access to healthy food. (W.8.7, W.8.8)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 2 (W.8.8)
  • Work Time B: Access to Healthy Food Research: GMOs note-catcher (RI.8.1, W.8.7, W.8.8)
  • Closing and Assessment A: Generating additional related focus questions (W.8.7)

Lesson 3Research GMOs

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – W.8.8 (10 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Mini Lesson: Continue Research – W.8.8 (10 minutes)

B. Research GMOs – W.8.8 (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Partner Share (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. 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 conduct research to answer a question about how GMOs influence our access to healthy food. (W.8.7, W.8.8)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 3 (W.8.8)
  • Work Time B: Access to Healthy Food Research: GMOs note-catcher (RI.8.1, W.8.7, W.8.8)

Lesson 4Introduce Independent Research Case Studies

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – W.8.7 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Introduce Case Study Research Project – W.8.7 (5 minutes)

B. Jigsaw Activity – W.8.8 (30 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Whole-Class Share – W.8.7 (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. 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 conduct research to answer a question about factors that influence our access to healthy food. (W.8.7, W.8.8)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 4 (W.8.7)
  • Work Time B: Access to Healthy Food: Independent Research note-catcher (RI.8.1, W.8.7, W.8.8)

Lesson 5Independent Research: Case Study

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – W.8.8 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Mini Lesson: Research – W.8.7 (15 minutes)

B. Independent Research – W.8.8 (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Whole Group Share (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. 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 conduct research to answer a question about factors that influence our access to healthy food. (RI.8.1, W.8.7, W.8.8)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 5 (W.8.8)
  • Work Time B: Access to Healthy Food: Independent Research note-catcher (RI.8.1, W.8.7, W.8.8)

Lesson 6Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Research Climate Change and Food Shortages

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Research Climate Change and Food Shortages (30 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Track Progress – W.8.7 (10 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Preread a Model Essay for Gist: Students complete Homework: Preread for Gist: “GMOs” to answer selected and constructed response questions about the structure and content of Model Essay: “GMOs.”

  • I can conduct research to answer a new question about food choices and sustainability. (W.8.7, W.8.8)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 6
  • Work Time A: Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Research Climate Change and Food Shortages (RI.8.1, RI.8.4, W.8.7, W.8.8)

Lesson 7Write an Informative Essay: Analyze a Model

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A, Engage the Learner – W.8.2 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Read for Gist: Model Essay – “GMOs” (15 minutes)

B. Analyze a Model Essay – W.8.4 (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Review Criteria for Informative Essay – W.8.2 (10 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Preread a Model Essay for Gist: Students complete Homework: Preread for Gist: “CSAs” to answer selected and constructed response questions about Model Essay: “CSAs.”

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 find the gist of a model essay.
  • I can analyze a model essay to generate criteria of an effective informative essay on my selected research case study. (W.8.2, W.8.4)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 7
  • Closing and Assessment A: Informative Writing: "GMOs" checklist (RI.8.1, W.8.2)

Lesson 8Write an Informative Essay: Analyze a Model and Plan an Introduction

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – SL.8.4 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Language Dive: Model Essay: “GMOs,” Paragraph 1 – W.8.2a (10 minutes)

B. Read and Analyze Model Essay: “CSAs” – W.8.4 (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Analyze Model and Plan Introduction – W.8.4 (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Revise Informative Essay Plan: Students revise their plan for their own independent research essay.

B. Homework: Painted Essay® Structure: Students answer selected and constructed response questions about the model essay’s structure and content to complete Homework: Painted Essay® Structure.

  • I can plan an introduction to an informative essay that includes a strong focus statement. (W.8.2a, W.8.4)
  • I can analyze a model to generate criteria of an effective informative essay on my selected research case study. (W.8.2, W.8.4)
  • I can identify indicators for speaking clearly and using appropriate eye contact. (SL.8.4)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 8 (SL.8.4)
  • Work Time A: Language Dive: Model Essay: "GMOs," Paragraph 1 note-catcher (W.8.2a, L.8.1b)
  • Work Time B: Informative Writing checklist (RI.8.1, W.8.2)
  • Closing and Assessment A: Informative Essay Writing Plan graphic organizer: plan of introduction (W.8.2a, W.8.4)

Lesson 9Write an Informative Essay: Plan Proof Paragraphs

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – W.8.2a (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Language Dive: Model Essay: “GMOs,” Paragraph 3 – W.8.2b (10 minutes)

B. Analyze Models and Plan Proof Paragraphs – W.8.5 (25 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Pair-Share: Proof Paragraphs Feedback – SL.8.4 (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Revise Informative Essay Plan: Students use the feedback from Closing and Assessment A to revise their own independent research essay plan.

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 plan Proof Paragraphs for an informative essay that include relevant details, examples, and evidence that support my focus statement. (W.8.2b, W.8.5)
  • I can present my Proof Paragraphs plan to a partner, using appropriate eye contact and adequate volume. (SL.8.4)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 9 (W.8.2a)
  • Work Time B: Informative Writing Plan graphic organizer: Plan for Proof Paragraphs 1 and 2 (W.8.2, W.8.4)

Lesson 10Draft an Informative Essay (Lessons 10-11)

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – W.8.2f (10 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Analyze Model and Plan Conclusion – W.8.5 (15 minutes)

B. Independent Writing: Draft an Informative Essay – W.8.2 (50 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Peer Critique – SL.8.4 (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Revise Informative Essays: Students revise their essays based on the feedback they received during the peer critique, paying attention to transitions, domain-specific vocabulary, and correct spelling.

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 plan a concluding statement to an informative essay that follows from and supports the information presented. (W.8.2f, W.8.4)
  • I can draft an informative essay using the Painted Essay® structure. (W.8.2)
  • I can give kind, helpful, and specific feedback to my partner. (SL.8.1)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lessons 10-11 (W.8.2)
  • Work Time A: Informative Essay Writing Plan graphic organizer: plan of conclusion (W.8.2f, W.8.4)
  • Work Time B: Independent Writing: Draft an Informative Essay (W.8.2, W.8.4)

Lesson 12End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part I: Desktop Teaching Activity Lesson Plan

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner – SL.8.5 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part I: Desktop Teaching Activity: Access to Healthy Food – RI.8.1 (20 minutes)

B. Presentation: Prepare Visual Aids – SL.8.5 (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Peer Feedback: Practice Presentation – SL.8.4 (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. 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.

B. Practice Desktop Teaching: Students practice presenting their research findings in preparation for the second part of the end of unit assessment in Lesson 14.

  • I can organize my research findings, ideas, and learned vocabulary to present to an audience. (RI.8.1, SL.8.4)
  • I can clearly integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to add interest in my presentation. (SL.8.5)
  • I can use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation when presenting my claims and findings. (SL.8.4)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 12 (SL.8.5)
  • Work Time A: End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part I: Desktop Teaching Activity Lesson Plan (RI.8.1, SL.8.4, SL.8.5, L.8.6)

Lesson 13Desktop Teaching Activity: Present Research Findings

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A Vocabulary Jukebox – L.8.6 (10 minutes)

B. Peer Feedback: Practice Presentation – SL.8.4 (25 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Revisions (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Desktop Teaching Activity Practice: Students will practice presenting their research findings in preparation for the end of unit assessment in the next 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 use academic and domain-specific words and phrases when verbally sharing my ideas. (L.8.6)
  • I can clearly communicate my research findings verbally and through visual aids. (SL.8.4, SL.8.5)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 13
  • Work Time A: Desktop Teaching Activity Lesson Plan (RI.8.1, SL.8.4, SL.8.5, L.8.6)

Lesson 14End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part II: Desktop Teaching Activity: Access to Healthy Food

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engage the Learner and Return Mid-Unit 2 Assessments (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part II: Desktop Teaching Activity: Access to Healthy Food – SL.8.4 (35 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflect on Learning Targets and Habits of Character (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. 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 research findings and teach my audience new information. (SL.8.4, SL.8.5)
  • Opening A: Entrance Ticket: Unit 2, Lesson 14
  • Work Time A: End of Unit 2 Assessment: Desktop Teaching Activity (RI.8.1, SL.8.4, SL.8.5, L.8.6)

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