Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: The Black Cat, Edgar Allan Poe Name: Sarah Paliani
Content Area: English Grade Level: 6th
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):
RL. 6. 4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings;
analyze the impact of a specific _ _ word choice on meaning and tone.

RL. 6. 6. Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.

W. 6. 1. Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
a. Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.
b. Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an
understanding of the topic or text.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.
d. Establish and maintain a formal style.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.

W. 6. 5. With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising,
editing, rewriting, or trying a _ _ _ new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language
standards 13 up to and including grade 6.)

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

Students will consider narrators or speakers and whether they are reliable or unreliable
Students will learn how to utilize literary techniques/analysis by foretelling, themes, symbolism, etc.
Students will build on their understanding by utilizing Thinking Maps

21st Century Skills:

Students will utilize online mapping tool to begin their writing process
Students will create a PowerPoint presentation on a specific topic applying to reading/topic
Students will work in assigned circle for reading activities like Think-Aloud and peer review, and presentations.

Unit Summary:
Students will examine the credibility of narrators and utilize literary devices to analyze Poes The Black Cat. Students will begin
reading the work in small groups and utilize an active reading strategy, such as Talking to the Text and Think-Aloud. Secondly, we
will move into a presentation mode where they are required to utilize online resources to build an engaging presentation. Next
the students will pull together everything theyve learned in order to craft a well thought out and coherent essay utilizing
analysis techniques and discuss narrators.
Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level: Formative: Summative:
Think-Aloud or Talking-to-the-Text QuickWrites: having students answer a Assigning essay prompts and having
reading strategies question regarding a certain passage in students write an essay.
the book to test their thinking process
and ability to back up or provide Group Presentations
evidence for their thought-process, as
well as presentations

Thinking maps such as character trees,

flow maps, vocabulary charts

Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)

Student Learning Acceptable Evidence Lesson Activities:
Objective: (Assessments): Teacher will introduce The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe as the focus of the new unit.
Students will be given Think-Aloud Assign students into groups of 3-5 and have them take turns reading passages and
a Think-Aloud Worksheet as an exit practicing Think-Aloud and working through their worksheet
worksheet in which slip that further
they have to read a shows how they
passage to a partner understand it
to understand the
reading
Lesson 2 (Webercise/ iPad Lesson)
Student Learning Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Objective: Having students Students will be assigned to work in groups to present a topic regarding the book.
Students work in present their They will be required to give a 5-10 minute presentation using an online or digital
small circles to work presentation resource to create a presentation such as Prezi or Microsoft PowerPoint
on creating a
PowerPoint
presentation
Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)
Student Learning Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Objective: Students will have to Students will work silently during class on their worksheets provided by the teacher.
Students will work on fill out the Character They will first be required to fill out the Character Tree and then work through the
Character Tree and tree and Flow Map Flow Map that summarizes main events of the short story
Flow Map, which will worksheets
be helpful when it
comes to beginning to
work on essay
planning/outlining
Unit Resources:

Microsoft PowerPoint or Prezi

Essay Map
Think-Aloud Checklist/Worksheet

Useful Websites:

Turnitin
Grammarly
EssayMap