
| Unit Arc | Instructional Time | Essential Question | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
Spark | 3 lessons | What do ordinary moments reveal about who we are? |
|
Investigation 1 | 15 lessons | How do everyday moments shape the way we see ourselves and others? |
|
Flex | 4 lessons |
|
Community and Voice: How ordinary moments reveal identity, build empathy, and connect people to one another.
how personal experiences and ordinary choices reveal identity.
how authors use small moments to show belonging.
how sharing stories can build empathy and classroom community.
Analyze how authors use point of view, voice, and symbolism to reveal character identity, values, and theme.
Compare characters' choices and perspectives to evaluate how empathy shapes relationships and community.
Craft a personal narrative using dialogue, pacing, and sensory detail to express identity and belonging.
Apply academic discourse routines to discuss literature and peer writing with textual evidence.
How do authors use point of view, voice, and symbolism to reveal a character's identity and growth?
How can reading stories help us see the world through someone else's eyes?
What makes a personal story powerful or meaningful to an audience?
How does sharing stories help people understand each other and strengthen community?
Investigation 1: How do ordinary moments reveal who we are and how we belong?
Investigation 2: How does sharing stories help people understand one another?
Look Both Ways
Jason Reynolds

“Love Your Stories”: YA Authors on Championing Your Voice
Sasha Dowdy, Library of Congress

Hanging Fire
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Jason Reynolds: Writing What’s Real
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Thank You M'am
Langston Hughes
