Unit Overview/Summary FOCUS:

This unit is designed to engage students in reading and evaluating texts to explain how authors support their points by using reasons and evidence. Students will learn to have a more informed viewpoint and to share effectively with others. Students engage in conversation which includes posing questions, making relevant comments, elaborating on the remarks of others, and summarizing the points of a speaker citing reasons and evidence. Students use their skills to research and make arguments about debatable issues. Students build their skills to craft their opinions based on multiple sources, focusing on presenting logically ordered reasons and providing sufficient reasons and evidence to support them. (Theme: Debatable Issues) 

Unit Duration:

25 days (20 days instruction; 5 days reteaching/enrichment) based on 130 minutes to 180 minutes per day