Unit Plan: Unit 1: Short Stories

Duration 5 weeks
Unit Overview:
In this unit, students will delve into the captivating world of short stories, unraveling the intricacies of literary devices
and honing their analytical skills. Through a variety of engaging reading and writing activities, students will develop a
deep understanding of plot, setting, mood, tone, characterization, theme, irony, and conflict, and learn how these
elements contribute to the overall meaning and impact of a text. By the end of the unit, students will be equipped wit
the tools to read and comprehend texts effectively, make inferences, and interpret meaning with precision and insigh
Learning Outcomes:
1.1. Discover possibilities
1.2. Extend Awareness
1.2.1. Consider new perspectives
1.2.3. Set personal goals for language growth
2.1. Construct meaning from text and context
2.2. Understand and appreciate textual forms, elements, and techniques
2.2.2. Relate elements, devices, and techniques to created effects
2.3. Respond to a variety of print and non-print texts
3.1 Determine inquiry or research requirements
3.2 Follow a plan of inquiry
4.1 Develop and present a variety of print and nonprint texts
4.2 Improve thoughtfulness, effectiveness, and correctness of communication
5.1 Respect others and strengthen the community
5.2 Work within a group
Unit Objectives:

1. Understand Literary Devices: Students will become familiar with key literary devices, including plot, setting,
mood, tone, characterization, theme, irony, and conflict. They will explore how these devices shape the
narrative and enhance the reader's experience.
2. Analyze Texts: Students will develop the ability to identify and analyze literary devices in short stories. They w
learn how to analyze the author's choices and intentions, and how these choices contribute to the overall
meaning and impact of the text.
3. Read and Comprehend: Students will enhance their reading comprehension skills by actively engaging with
short stories. They will learn strategies to extract meaning from the text, identify important details, and make
connections between different parts of the story.
4. Make Inferences: Students will practice making inferences based on textual evidence and their understandin
of literary devices. They will learn to read between the lines and draw conclusions that go beyond the explici
text.
5. Interpret Meaning: Students will develop the ability to interpret the deeper meaning and messages embedde
within short stories. They will explore various themes and analyze how the author uses literary devices to
convey these themes.
6. Personal Response Writing: Students will learn how to write a personal response to a short story, expressing
their thoughts, opinions, and emotional reactions. They will be encouraged to reflect on their personal
connections to the text and support their responses with evidence from the story.
7. Literary Analysis: Students will practice writing analytical essays that analyze the literary devices used in sho
stories. They will learn how to organize their thoughts, develop coherent arguments, and provide evidence to
support their analysis.

Texts: Key concepts:

Thank You Ma’am Plot
The Necklace Characters/ Characterization
Rules of the Game Conflict
 Unit Plan: Unit 1: Short Stories

Dead Men’s Path Point of view

(Texts chosen for the final project to be decided later) Mood, tone, and atmosphere
Irony
Symbolism
Theme

Language awareness: Writing:

Parts of speech Personal response to texts
Sentence structure Essay structure review
Focus: Mind mapping, drafting, editing

Reading Comprehension:
(texts to be decided)

Formative assessment: Summative assessment:

Quizzes End of unit essay
Homework (Detailed below) End of unit project (group presentation)
Classwork Reading comprehension
(add details as we go) Unit Test
 Unit Plan: Unit 1: Short Stories
Pacing:
Day1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5:
Thank You Ma’am (theme) Plot/ Setting Thank You Ma’am plot Mind mapping. Planning a Reading comprehension
Anticipation Lecture feedback paragraph practice
Pre-reading Practice activity (movie Comprehension Drafting a paragraph
Vocabulary Glossary summary) Discussion Quotes Thank You Ma’am Quizzes
Write a paragraph
Homework: Read Thank You, Homework: Plot mountain Homework: Plan a paragraph Homework: Edit the
Ma’am Thank you, Ma’am Thank You Ma’am Plot/ paragraph
context-setting impacting
interpretation Plan feedback sessions
during tutorials (Project reminders)

Day 6: Day 7: Day 8: Day 9: Day 10:

Dead Men’s Path (Conflict) Dead Men’s Path Characterization/ Conflict Feedback on Characterization Reading comprehension
Anticipation Comprehension Lecture Model paragraph plan practice
Pre-reading Discussion Practice Write paragraphs
Vocabulary Glossary Application on DMP Editing techniques DMP Quizzes

Homework: Read Dead Men’s Homework: Choose one Homework: Edit the
Path character to characterize paragraph
Plan a paragraph on the conflict Plan feedback sessions
in DMP during tutorials (Project reminders)

Day 11: Day 12: Day 13: Day 14: Day 15:
The Necklace (Symbolism) The Necklace Point of view/ symbolism Mood&Tone Reading comprehension
Anticipation Comprehension Lecture Lecture practice
Pre-reading Discussion Practice Practice
Vocabulary Glossary Application on TN Application on TN The Necklace Quizzes
Homework: Write a paragraph
Homework: Read The on the symbolism of the
Necklace necklace Plan feedback sessions
during tutorials (Project reminders)
 Unit Plan: Unit 1: Short Stories

Day 16: Day 17: Day 18: Day 19: Day 20:
Rules of the Game (POV) RotG Irony Theme Reading comprehension
Anticipation Comprehension Lecture Lecture practice
Pre-reading Discussion Practice Practice
Vocabulary Glossary Application on TN Writing a thesis statement RotG Quizzes
Homework:
Homework: Read RotG Write a thesis statement (give
prompt) (Project reminders)

Day 21: Day 22: Day 23: Day 24: Day 25:
Essay structure review Work block Work block Work block Unit Test
Introduction to Personal Planning Drafting Editing Reading Comprehension
Response Essay Evidence/ supporting Test
Lecture details collection Complete the essay
Presentation Group 1 Presentation Group 2 Presentation Group 3 Presentation Group 4 Presentation Group 5