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ELA G1:M2:U3

Writing Narratives: Using Observations of the Sun to Write Narrative Poems

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.

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Lesson 1Noticing and Wondering: What Happens During the Day and Night
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reading Aloud: "Elvin, the Boy Who Loved the Sky," Part 6 (10 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Reading Aloud: What the Sun Sees, What the Moon Sees (15 minutes)

B. Sorting Protocol: Daytime and Nighttime Activities (15 minutes)

C. Video and Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face: What Happens during the Day and Night? (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)
  • I can ask and answer questions about day and night based on the text What the Sun Sees, What the Moon Sees.(RL.1.1, RL.1.10)
  • I can describe what animals and people do during the day and night based on observations of pictures and videos. (SL.1.1, SL.1.2)
  • During Work Time A, consider using the Reading Literature Checklist to document students' progress toward RL.1.1 and RL.1.10 (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • During Work Time C, consider using the Speaking and Listening Checklist to document students' progress towards SL.1.1 and SL.1.2 (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • Back-to-back and Face-to-Face

Lesson 2Reading, Speaking, and Listening: Describing the Moon and What It “Sees”
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Building Vocabulary: Interactive Word Wall (10 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Focused Read-aloud: What the Moon Sees, Pages 17–30 (15 minutes)

B. Role-Play: What the Moon Sees, Selected Pages (10 minutes)

C. Close Viewing: What the Moon "Sees" (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (10 minutes)
  • I can ask and answer questions about night based on the text What the Sun Sees, What the Moon Sees. (RL.1.1, RL.1.10)
  • I can describe what the moon "sees" using evidence from pictures, videos, and the text. (SL.1.2, SL.1.4)
  • During the focused read-aloud in Work Time A, use the Reading Literature Checklist to track students' progress toward RL.1.1 and RL.1.10 (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • During Work Time B, circulate and listen for students to use words and phrases acquired through the read-aloud during the Role-Play protocol. Note how students are interacting with one another using the Speaking and Listening Checklist (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • Interactive Word Wall
  • Role Play
  • Pinky Partners

Lesson 3Speaking and Listening: Introduction to High Quality Work
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Building Vocabulary: Interactive Word Wall (10 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Reading Aloud: Model of Excellence #1 (10 minutes)

B. Noticing and Wondering: Analyzing High-Quality Work (15 minutes)

C. Shared Writing: High-Quality Work Anchor Chart (10 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Back-to-Back and Face-to Face: Model of Excellence #2 (10 minutes)
  • I can define what it means for work to be "high quality." (SL.1.1, SL.1.2)
  • I can analyze models of high-quality work. (SL.1.1, SL.1.2)
  • During the Closing, use the Speaking and Listening Checklist to monitor student progress toward SL.1.1 and SL.1.2 (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • Interactive Word Wall
  • Back-to-back and Face-to-Face

Lesson 4Speaking and Listening: Planning and Writing “What the Moon Sees” Poem
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Building Vocabulary: Interactive Word Wall (10 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Shared Reading: "What the Moon Sees" Poem, Verse 1 (10 minutes)

B. Preparing for Writing: "What the Moon Sees" Verse Planner, Verse 2 (15 minutes)

C. Shared Writing: "What the Moon Sees" Poem, Verse 2 (15 minutes)

3. Closing

A. Engaging the Writer: High-Quality Work Anchor Chart (10 minutes)
  • I can write a narrative poem using a model and evidence. (W.1.8, L.1.1f, L.1.1j, L.1.2b, SL.1.4)
  • I can plan my writing by discussing ideas with classmates. (W.1.3, SL.1.4)
  • During the Closing, use the Speaking and Listening Checklist to monitor students' progress toward SL.1.4 (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • Interactive Word Wall

Lesson 5Speaking and Listening: Planning and Writing “What the Moon Sees” Poem and Introducing Peer Feedback
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Shared Reading: "What the Moon Sees" Poem, Verses 1 and 2 (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Preparing for Writing: "What the Moon Sees" Verse Planner, Verse 3 (15 minutes)

B. Independent Writing: "What the Moon Sees" Poem, Verse 3 (10 minutes)

C. Launching Peer Critique (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)
  • I can write a narrative poem using a model and evidence. (W.1.3, W.1.8, L.1.1f, L.1.1j, L.1.2b)
  • I can provide kind, helpful, and specific feedback to my classmates. (W.1.5, SL.1.4)
  • Refer to the Narrative Writing Rubric to track students' progress toward W.1.3, W.1.8, L.1.1f, L.1.1j, and L.1.2b as they independently write during Work Time B (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • Pinky Partners

Lesson 6Reading, Speaking, and Listening: Describing the Sun and What It “Sees”
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Building Vocabulary: Interactive Word Wall (10 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Focused Read-aloud: What the Sun Sees, Pages 1–16 (15 minutes)

B. Role-Play: What the Sun Sees, Selected Pages (10 minutes)

C. Making Observations What the Sun "Sees" (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (10 minutes)
  • I can ask and answer questions about day based on the text What the Sun Sees, What the Moon Sees. (RL.1.1, RL.1.10)
  • I can describe what the sun "sees" using evidence from pictures, videos, and the text. (SL.1.2, SL.1.4)
  • During the focused read-aloud in Work Time A, use the Reading Literature Checklist to track students' progress toward RL.1.1 and RL.1.10 (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • During Work Time B, circulate and listen for students to use words and phrases acquired through the read-aloud during the Role-Play protocol. Note how students are interacting with one another using the Speaking and Listening Checklist (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • Interactive Word Wall
  • Sit, Kneel, Stand
  • Role Play

Lesson 7Speaking and Listening: Analyzing a Model of High Quality Work
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Building Vocabulary: Interactive Word Wall (10 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Engaging the Writer: Reviewing the Sky Notebook (15 minutes)

B. Analyzing an Example and Non-Example: "What the Moon Sees" Class Poem (15 minutes)

C. Developing Language: Temporal Line Game (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)
  • I can plan my writing by discussing ideas with classmates. (W.1.3, SL.1.4)
  • I can analyze a model of high-quality work. (SL.1.1, SL.1.2)
  • During the Opening, monitor students' ability to participate in the Interactive Word Wall protocol and as they work to connect adjectives. (SL.1.4, L.1.1f)
  • During the temporal line game in Work Time C, circulate and listen to how students use temporal lines to signal event order. (W.1.3) 
  • Interactive Word Wall

Lesson 8Unit 3 Assessment, Part I: Using Observations of the Sun to Write Narrative Poems
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Learner: "Sun" Song (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Preparing for Independent Writing: "What the Sun Sees" Poem, Verse 1 (15 minutes)

B. Unit 3 Assessment, Part I: "What the Sun Sees" Poem, Verse 1 (20 minutes)

C. Peer Feedback: "What the Sun Sees" Poem, Verse 1 (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)
  • I can write a narrative poem based on a model and using evidence. (W.1.3, W.1.8, L.1.1f, L.1.1j, L.1.2b)
  • I can provide kind, helpful, and specific feedback to my classmates. (W.1.5, SL.1.4)
  • At the end of Work Times A and B, collect students' "What the Sun Sees" poem verse planner and "What the Sun Sees" poem to serve as work samples demonstrating progress toward W.1.3, W.1.8, L.1.1f, L.1.1j, and L.1.2b.
  • During Work Time A, circulate as students discuss and plan their writing with a partner. Use the Speaking and Listening Checklist to monitor progress toward SL.1.4 (see Assessment Overview and Resources). Consider using the Speaking and Listening Checklist again during the Closing as students debrief their feedback experience. 
  • Pinky Partners
  • Think-Pair-Share

Lesson 9Unit 3 Assessment, Part II: Using Observations of the Sun to Write Narratives
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Learner: "Sun, "Moon, and Stars" Song (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Preparing for Independent Writing: "What the Sun Sees" Poem, Verse 2 (15 minutes)

B. Unit 3 Assessment, Part II: "What the Sun Sees" Poem, Verse 2 (20 minutes)

C. Peer Feedback: "What the Sun Sees" Poem, Verse 2 (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)
  • I can write a narrative poem based on a model and using evidence. (W.1.3, W.1.8, L.1.1f, L.1.1j, L.1.2b)
  • I can provide kind, helpful, and specific feedback to my classmates. (W.1.5, SL.1.4)
  • At the end of Work Times A and B, collect students' "What the Sun Sees" verse planner and "What the Sun Sees" poem to serve as work samples demonstrating progress toward W.1.3, W.1.8, L.1.1f, L.1.1j, and L.1.2b.
  • During Work Time A, circulate as students discuss and plan their writing with a partner. Use the Speaking and Listening Checklist to monitor progress toward SL.1.4 (see Assessment Overview and Resources).  Consider using the Speaking and Listening Checklist again during Work Time C and the Closing as students participate in and debrief a peer feedback experience.
  • Pinky Partners
  • Think-Pair-Share

Lesson 10Unit 3 Assessment, Part III: Using Observations of the Sun to Write Narrative Poems
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Learner: Sun Movement Routine (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Preparing for Independent Writing: "What the Sun Sees" Poem, Verse 3 and Closing (15 minutes)

B. Unit 3 Assessment, Part III: "What the Sun Sees" Poem, Verse 3 and Closing (20 minutes)

C. Peer Feedback: "What the Sun Sees" Poem, Verse 3 and Closing (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)
  • I can write a narrative poem based on a model and using evidence. (W.1.3, W.1.8, L.1.1f, L.1.1j, L.1.2b)
  • I can provide kind, helpful, and specific feedback to my classmates. (W.1.5, SL.1.4)
  • At the end of Work Times A and B, collect students' "What the Sun Sees" verse planner and "What the Sun Sees" poem to serve as work samples demonstrating progress toward W.1.3, W.1.8, L.1.1f, L.1.1j, and L.1.2b.
  • During Work Time A, circulate as students discuss and plan their writing with a partner. Use the Speaking and Listening Checklist to monitor progress toward SL.1.4 (see Assessment Overview and Resources). Consider using the Speaking and Listening Checklist again during Work Time C and the Closing as students participate in and debrief a peer feedback experience. 
  • Think-Pair-Share
  • Pinky Partners

Lesson 11Unit 3 Performance Task: Revising and Editing My “What the Sun Sees” Poem
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Learner: Moon Movement Routine (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Reviewing Criteria for High-Quality Work (5 minutes)

B. Revising and Editing: Using the High-Quality Narrative Poem Checklist(15 minutes)

C. Revising and Editing: "What the Sun Sees" Poem (30 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Pinky Partners: Sharing Our Work (5 minutes)
  • I can revise my work for details. (W.1.5, L.1.1f, L.1.1j)
  • I can edit my work for conventions. (W.1.5, L.1.1j, L.1.2b)
  • As students revise and edit during Work Time C, monitor their progress toward W.1.5 using the Narrative Writing Checklist. At the end of Work Time C, collect students' poems along with your completed High-Quality Narrative Poem Checklist to serve as work samples demonstrating progress toward W.1.5 (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • Pinky Partners

Lesson 12Speaking and Listening: Preparing for the End of Module Celebration
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Learner: Ways We Share Our Work Anchor Chart (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Preparing to Present: Selecting Information from Our Sky Notebooks to Share (15 minutes)

B. Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face: Discussing Patterns in the Sky (15 minutes)

C. Pinky Partners: Sharing Our Work (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Engaging the Learner: Revisiting "Sun" and "Moon" Songs (10 minutes)
  • I can present information about the sun, moon, and stars to others. (SL.1.4, SL.1.6, L.1.6)
  • I can read my writing aloud using a strong and clear voice. (SL.1.4)
  • During Work Times A and B, circulate and observe students' progress toward SL.1.4 and SL.1.6 as they practice sharing what they've learned using the Speaking and Listening Checklist (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
  • Back-to-back and Face-to-Face
  • Pinky Partners

Lesson 13Speaking and Listening: Sharing and Celebrating Our Work
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Learner: Sharing the "Sun, Moon, and Stars" Song (5minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Speaking and Listening: Sharing Information about Patterns in the Sky (10 minutes)

B. Reading Aloud: Sharing Our "What the Sun Sees" Poems (20 minutes)

C. Reading Aloud: Sharing Our Sky Notebooks (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. End of Module Reflection (10 minutes)
  • I can present information about the sun, moon, and stars to others. (SL.1.4, SL.1.6, L.1.6)
  • I can read my writing aloud using a strong and clear voice. (SL.1.4)
  • During each Work Time, observe as students present their work and engage with the classroom visitors. Document progress and mastery of SL.1.4, SL.1.6, and L.1.6 on the Speaking and Listening Checklist (see Assessment Overview and Resources).

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