Components of a Literature Unit

Each unit begins with Connected Texts. These texts:

• Explore themes related to the Whole Class Book or provide background knowledge.
• Ask scholars to write a short essay that assesses their close reading skills.
• Help you prepare your scholars for midterms, finals, and state tests.

See Connected Text seminars in action below:

• Fiction Connected Text Seminar
• Poetry Connected Text Seminar

Download a list of all Connected Texts and Mastery Texts used in the curriculum below:

• Middle School Literature: Connected Texts and Mastery Texts

Scholars then dive into a great work of literature or nonfiction:

• These books are read or listened to through audiobooks, and their meaning is discussed.
• Scholars read for big ideas and explain how these ideas are supported by textual evidence.
• Scholars are also on the hunt for key themes.
• Scholars demonstrate mastery via daily in-class written responses about the book.

Watch the videos below to see Whole Class Book seminars in action.

• 5th Grade:
  • 5th Grade Literature Vocabulary Do Now
  • 5th Grade Literature Read and Discuss 1 – Read Aloud and Dialogue Reading
  • 5th Grade Literature Read and Discuss 1 – Dialogue Reading and Turn and Talk
• 7th Grade:
  • 7th Grade Literature Vocabulary Do Now
  • 7th Grade Literature Class Launch
  • 7th Grade Literature Read and Discuss 1 – Audiobook
  • 7th Grade Literature Read and Discuss 1 – Turn and Talk and Discussion
  • 7th Grade Literature Read and Discuss 1 – Audiobook, Turn and Talk, and Discussion
  • 7th Grade Literature Exit Ticket