7th Grade Historical Literacy consists of two 43 minute class periods. Writing is one 43 minute block and reading is another. The teacher has picked themes based on social studies standards, and a read-aloud novel based on social studies serves as the mentor text for writing and reading skills. More social studies content is addressed in reading through teaching nonfiction reading skills and discussion.
Standards reflect CCSS ELA, Reading, and Social Studies Standards.

This collection of resources covers the fundamentals of literature and encourages critical and thoughtful responses to a variety of writings, from short stories, poetry, and music to case studies and academic essays. There is a comprehensive guide to the basic building blocks of writing, with terms, discussion points, video examples, and pop-culture relevancy. A link to each writing is included, with works ranging from Sophocles to Bono. 

Grade 11-12 Unit, Are Humans Good or Evil, modified to match 10th Grade Common Core standards.

Meet the PenPals helps students think critically and share information about people in different communities around the world.In this class activity, students will learn:1. How to summarize relevant information2. How to share information with a group3. Students will learn how communities around the world are both similar and differentThis activity will help students achieve the following objectives:- Students will practice speaking and listening skills in an authentic way- Students will have fun learning about people around the worldStandard Alignment:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.5CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.2

Mystery PenPal is a fun and easy way for students to build a community and get to know one another. Weather preparing for a PenPal exchange or developing classroom community, this fun and interactive class activity is appropriate for students of all grades! In this class activity, students will learn:1. The importance of asking questions2. How asking questions can help get to know someone3. How to complete a PenPal Schools student profileStudents will achieve the following outcomes:- Students will ask questions and provide quality answers - Students will enjoy learning about their classmates- Students will understand how to participate in digital communities Standards Alignment: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.5CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.1CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.2

Presented in partnership with Kahoot!, World Explorer Trivia helps students prove their world knowledge through a fun and fast paced trivia grame!1. Choose the PenPal Schools Kahoot! that you would like to play by clicking the links to the left.2. Follow the directions on the Kahoot! website3. Have fun!

The focus of this lesson is to provide reading material and strategies for idea development for an analytical essay. The topic is on consumerism and the readings will be based on two articles: “Psychological Factors” and “The Black Box” of Consumer Behavior.” Students will also be asked to select an advertisement of a product that they regularly buy for themselves. The class discussion of the readings and images will foster a community of idea sharing which will translate well as supporting points in response to the writing prompt which will be given to students for their next essay assignment.

A brief infographic and description of the five basic steps of the Writing Process: prewriting, drafting, workshopping, revising and editing, and submitting.