315618

BRING LITERATURE TO LIFE

TENNESSEE ELA
STANDARDS MAP
GRADE 9

mheonline.com/tennessee LE.1030393
 Assessment results can be viewed by item, standard, and skil to monitor mastery and make decisions for upcoming instruction.

Assessment Section Content Assessed Skills and Standards

The Best Book Context Clues 9-10.L.VAU.4.a

Reading
Genre: Fiction Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Word Count: 967 Summarizing 9-10.RL.KID.2
Lexile: 1100 Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
Language, Style, and Audience 9-10.RL.CS.4
Point of View 9-10.RL.CS.6
Altruism Informational Text Elements 9-10.RI.KID.1
Genre: Non-Fiction Textual Evidence 9-10.RI.KID.1
Word Count: 636 Author’s Purpose and Point of View 9-10.RI.CS.6
Lexile: 1100 Reasons and Evidence 9-10.RI.IKI.8
Taking a Look at Global Microlending Informational Text Elements 9-10.RI.KID.1

315618
Genre: Non-Fiction Textual Evidence 9-10.RI.KID.1
Word Count: 697 Author’s Purpose and Point of View 9-10.RI.CS.6
Lexile: 1200 Reasons and Evidence 9-10.RI.IKI.8
NOTE: Selection 4 is
optional. It highlights the
A Letter from The Past Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
key skills of the unit and
Genre: Fiction Context Clues 9-10.L.VAU.4.a
of high-stakes testing
Word Count: 773 Summarizing 9-10.RL.KID.2
and is a valuable asset if
Lexile: 1100 Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
time allows.
Language, Style, and Audience 9-10.RL.CS.4
Point of View 9-10.RL.CS.6
Student Passage #1 Adverb Phrases 9-10.L.CSE.1
Revising and Editing
Adjective Phrases 9-10.L.CSE.1
Verbal Phrases 9-10.L.CSE.1
Noun Phrases 9-10.L.CSE.1
Student Passage #2 Communicating Ideas Clearly LAFS.910.W.2.5
Audience LAFS.910.W.2.5

Writing Prompt: Oral Presentation Oral Presentation 9-10.W.TTP.2.a, 9-10.W.TTP.2.b, 9-10.W.TTP.2.c,

9-10.W.TTP.2.d, 9-10.W.TTP.2.e, 9-10.W.TTP.2.f, 9-10.W.TTP.2.g

The following instructional resources are available in addition to the instruction offered in the Core ELA content for this unit. These
resources are designed for flexible implementation alongside or in lieu of content offered in the 30 days of Core ELA unit instruction:

Resource Description Recommended Usage

“My Younger Self” serves as structural and thematic model for “Letter to My
My Younger Self, Fiction
Younger Self,” and may be used in place of or as an extension to this text.

“A Woman’s Place” serves as structural and thematic model for Lumberjanes

ELL Resources A Woman’s Place, Informational
and may be used in place of or as an extension to this text.

In this Extended Oral Project, students will write a monologue about achieving
EOP, Monologue
goals. This may be assigned in place of this unit’s EWP.

Everything, Everything, Fiction

To Kill a Mockingbird, Fiction Novel Studies are chosen to connect with each unit’s theme and essential
Novel Study Options
question. They may be used alongside or in lieu of Core ELA texts in this unit.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,
Informational

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9

GRADE 9

This grade level Curriculum Map outlines the scope and sequence of texts and skills that are taught in each unit. Every
unit is built around a theme, essential question, and genre focus. The charts that follow provide suggested pacing, along
with guidance on opportunities for practice and reteaching to standards mastery.

Spotlight Skill Opportunities to

lessons along with practice skills that
Titles of the
Skill lessons and texts in future units were taught with
reading selections,
focus standards that teachers can each text as well
including paired
that are taught use to review any as spiraled skills
texts. To the left
with each text or skills or concepts from previous texts
are days for
cluster of texts. with which and units in the
suggested pacing.
students may be Close Reading of a
struggling. given text.

Additional Program
Days Readings Skill and Standard Instruction Skill Practice and Spiraling
Lessons for Reteaching

12-13 Tableau Poetic Elements and Spotlight: Poetic Figurative Language

Structure (6.RL.CS.5) Elements and Structure (6.RL.CS.4; 6.L.VAU.5)
(6.RL.CS.5)
Poetic Elements and Structure
Unit 3: I, Too (6.RL.CS.5)
Poetic Elements and
Structure (6.RL.CS.5)

Unit 4: Famous
Poetic Elements and
Structure (6.RL.CS.5)

PAIRED READINGS
14-19 Summarizing (6.RI.KID.2) Spotlight: Summarizing Textual Evidence (6.RI.KID.1)
(6.RI.KID.2)
The Voice in
Summarizing (6.RI.KID.2)
My Head

We’re on the
Same Team

The Curriculum map also includes pacing for and a breakdown of the Extended Writing Project, the long-form writing
assignment for each unit. Additional charts provide information on the end-of-unit review and assessment along with
resources for supplementary instruction.

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 1

GRADE 9 UNIT 1 Theme: Divided We Fall
Essential Question: Why do we feel the need to belong?
Genre Focus: Fiction

Days Readings Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Program Lessons for Reteaching Skill Practice and Spiraling

1-6 Big Idea: Recognizing Genre: Fiction Write: Analyzing Genre

Why do we
feel the need Academic Vocabulary:
to belong? Creating a Draft

Marigolds Annotation (9-10.RL.KID.1) Spotlight Character (9-10.RL.KID.2,

Skill: Annotation (9-10.RL.KID.1) 9-10.RL.KID.3)
Context Clues
(9-10.RL.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.4.a) Spotlight
Skill: Context Clues (9-10.RL.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.4.a)
Reading Comprehension
(9-10.RL.RRTC.10) Spotlight
Skill: Reading Comprehension (9-10.RL.RRTC.10)
Text-Dependent Responses
(9-10.RL.KID.1) Spotlight
Skill: Textual Evidence (9-10.RL.KID.1)
Textual Evidence (9-10.RL.KID.1)
Spotlight
Character Skill: Character (9-10.RL.KID.2, 9-10.RL.KID.3)
(9-10.RL.KID.2, 9-10.RL.KID.3)
Spotlight
Collaborative Conversations Skill: Collaborative Conversations (9-10.SL.CC.1)
(9-10.SL.CC.1)
Spotlight
Short Constructed Responses Skill: Short Constructed Response
(9-10.RL.KID.1; 9-10.W.RW.10) (9-10.RL.KID.1; 9-10.W.RW.10)

Peer Review (9-10.W.PDW.5) Unit 3

Text: The Most Dangerous Game
Skill: Character (9-10.RL.KID.2, 9-10.RL.KID.3)

Unit 3
Text: The Odyssey
Skill: Character (9-10.RL.KID.2, 9-10.RL.KID.3)

Unit 4
Text: The Cask of Amontillado
Skill: Character (9-10.RL.KID.2, 9-10.RL.KID.3)

7-9 The Necklace Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2) Spotlight Textual Evidence

Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2) (9-10.RL.KID.1)

Unit 2 Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)

Text: Volar
Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2) Character (9-10.RL.KID.3)

Unit 4 Plot (9-10.RL.KID.3)

Text: The Cask of Amontillado
Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)

Unit 5
Text: Catch the Moon
Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)

Unit 6
Text: The Scarlet Ibis
Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)

2
 Skill and Standard Additional Program Lessons for
Days Readings Skill Practice and Spiraling
Instruction Reteaching

PAIRED READINGS
11-14 Compare and Contrast Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RL.KID.1)
(9-10.RL.IKI.9) Skill: Allusion (9-10.RL.IKI.9)
Metamorphoses Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)
Spotlight
Braving the Allusion (9-10.RL.IKI.9) Skill: Compare and Contrast Character (9-10.RL.KID.3)
Wilderness (9-10.RL.IKI.9)
Compare and Contrast (9-10.RL.IKI.9)
St. Lucy’s Home Unit 4
for Girls Raised by Text: The Tragedy of Romeo and
Wolves Juliet (Act II scene ii)
Skill: Allusion (9-10.RL.IKI.9)

PAIRED READINGS
15-18 Language, Style, and Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RI.KID.1)
Audience (9-10.RI.CS.4) Skill: Language, Style, and
Sure You Can Ask Audience (9-10.RI.CS.4) Language, Style, and Audience
Me a Personal (9-10.RI.CS.4)
Question Unit 4:
Text: Blues Ain’t No Mockingbird Tone (9-10.RI.CS.4)
Angela’s Ashes: A Skill: Language, Style, and
Memoir Audience (9-10.RI.CS.4) Compare and Contrast (9-10.RI.IKI.9)

Unit 5:
Text: Love in a Headscarf
Skill: Language, Style, and
Audience (9-10.RI.CS.4)

Unit 6:
Text: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Skill: Language, Style, and
Audience (9-10.RI.CS.4)

19 Why I Lied to
Everyone in High
School About
Knowing Karate

PAIRED READINGS
20-24 Arguments and Claim Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RI.KID.1)
(9-10.RI.IKI.8) Skill: Rhetoric
Welcome to America (9-10.RI.CS.6; 9-10.SL.CC.3) Rhetoric (9-10.RI.CS.6; 9-10.SL.CC.3)
Rhetoric (9-10.RI.CS.6;
I Have a Dream 9-10.SL.CC.3) Spotlight Arguments and Claims (9-10.RI.IKI.8)
Skill: Arguments and Claim
(9-10.RI.IKI.8) Compare and Contrast (9-10.RI.IKI.9)

Unit 3:
Text: The Origin of Intelligence
Skill: Arguments and Claims
(9-10.RI.IKI.8)

25 The Future in My
Arms

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 3

 In the second half of the unit, students continue exploring texts that address the unit’s Essential Question. In addition, in the Extended Writing
Project, they begin crafting a longer composition to share their own ideas about the Essential Question.

Extended Writing Project

Days Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Lessons for Reteaching
and Grammar

16 Narrative Writing Process: Plan

17-18 Narrative Writing Process: Organize Narrative Writing Spotlight

Draft (9-10.W.TTP.3.a. 9-10.W.TTP.3.b) Skill: Organize Narrative Writing
(9-10.W.TTP.3.a. 9-10.W.TTP.3.b)

19-24 Narrative Writing Process: Story Beginnings (9-10.W.TTP.3.a) Spotlight

Revise Skill: Story Beginnings (9-10.W.TTP.3.a)
Narrative Techniques (9-10.W.TTP.3.d)
Spotlight
Narrative Sequencing Skill: Narrative Techniques (9-10.W.TTP.3.d)
(9-10.W.TTP.3.b, 9-10.W.TTP.3.c)
Spotlight
Descriptive Details (9-10.W.TTP.3.f) Skill: Narrative Sequencing
(9-10.W.TTP.3.b, 9-10.W.TTP.3.c)
Conclusions (9-10.W.TTP.3.e)
Spotlight
Skill: Descriptive Details (9-10.W.TTP.3.f)

Spotlight
Skill: Conclusions (9-10.W.TTP.3.e)

25-28 Narrative Writing Process: Edit Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases Spotlight
and Publish (9-10.L.CSE.1) Skill: Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases
(9-10.L.CSE.1)
Independent and Dependent Clauses
(9-10.L.CSE.1) Spotlight
Skill: Independent and Dependent Clauses
Basic Spelling Rule I (9-10.L.CSE.2) (9-10.L.CSE.1)

Spotlight
Skill: Basic Spelling Rule I (9-10.L.CSE.2)

The final two days of the unit are reserved for review and assessment.

Days Review and Assessment Skill Practice and Assessment

Students will have the opportunity to complete one or more Spotlight

29 Spotlight Skills Review skill lessons in order to improve understanding and further practice
skills from the unit that they found most challenging.

For more detail, please see the End-of-Unit Assessment chart below
30 End-of-Unit Assessment
for Grade 9 Unit 1.

4
 Assessment results can be viewed by item, standard, and skil to monitor mastery and make decisions for upcoming instruction.

Assessment Section Content Assessed Skills and Standards

Excerpt From Main Street, Chapter III Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1

Reading
Genre: Non-Fiction Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
Word Count: 590 Character 9-10.RL.KID.3
Lexile: 770 Plot 9-10.RL.KID.3
From City to Country Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Genre: Fiction Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
Word Count: 590 Character 9-10.RL.KID.3
Lexile: 900 Plot 9-10.RL.KID.3
Compare and Contrast 9-10.RL.IKI.9
A Powerful Phrase Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Genre: Non-fiction Language, Style, and Audience 9-10.RI.CS.4
Word Count: 643 Context Clues 9-10.L.VAU.4.a
Lexile: 1100 Rhetoric 9-10.RI.CS.6
NOTE: Selection 4 is
Arguments and Claims 9-10.RI.IKI.8
optional. It highlights the
key skills of the unit and Family Drama Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
of high-stakes testing Genre: Fiction Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
and is a valuable asset if Word Count: 905 Character 9-10.RL.KID.3
time allows. Lexile: N/A Plot 9-10.RL.KID.3
Context Clues 9-10.L.VAU.4.a

Student Passage #1 Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases 9-10.L.CSE.1

Revising and Editing
Spelling 9-10.L.CSE.2
Independent and Dependent Clauses 9-10.L.CSE.1
Student Passage #2 Organizing Writing 9-10.W.PDW.5
Narrative Techniques 9-10.W.PDW.5
Descriptive Details 9-10.W.PDW.5
Transition Words 9-10.W.PDW.5
Beginnings and Conclusions 9-10.W.PDW.5

Writing Prompt: Narrative Writing Narrative Writing 9-10.W.TTP.3.a, 9-10.W.TTP.3.b, 9-10.W.TTP.3.c,

9-10.W.TTP.3.d, 9-10.W.TTP.3.e, 9-10.W.TTP.3.f

The following instructional resources are available in addition to the instruction offered in the Core ELA content for this unit. These
resources are designed for flexible implementation alongside or in lieu of content offered in the 30 days of Core ELA unit instruction:

Resource Description Recommended Usage

“The Christmas Truce of 1914” serves as structural and thematic

The Christmas Truce of 1914, Informational model for “I Have a Dream,” and may be used in place of or as an
extension to this text.
“When Everything Changed” serves as structural and thematic
ELL Resources When Everything Changed, Poetry model for “Sure You Can Ask Me a Personal Question,” and may be
used in place of or as an extension to this text.
In this Extended Oral Project, students will write a realistic scene
EOP, Realistic Scene about joining a new team or club. This may be assigned in place of
this unit’s EWP.

American Born Chinese, Fiction

Novel Studies are chosen to connect with each unit’s theme and
Novel Study Options Of Mice and Men, Fiction essential question. They may be used alongside or in lieu of Core
ELA texts in this unit.
Angela’s Ashes, Informational

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 5

GRADE 9 UNIT 2 Theme: The Call to Adventure
Essential Question: What will you learn on your journey?
Genre Focus: Informational Text

Days Readings Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Program Lessons for Reteaching Skill Practice and Spiraling

1-2 Big Idea: What Recognizing Genre: Write: Analyzing Genre

will you learn on Informational Text
your journey?
Academic Vocabulary:
Conducting Research

PAIRED READINGS
3-8 Poetic Elements and Structure Spotlight Textual Evidence
(9-10.RL.CS.5) Skill: Figurative Language (9-10.RL.KID.1)
Stopping by (9-10.RL.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5)
Woods on a Poetic Elements and
Snowy Evening Spotlight Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5)
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure
12 (from (9-10.RL.CS.5)
Gitanjali)
Unit 5
The Journey Text: Dusting
Skill: Figurative Language
(9-10.RL.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5)

Unit 5
Text: Dusting
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure
(9-10.RL.CS.5)

Unit 5
Text: The Raven
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure
(9-10.RL.CS.5)

Unit 6
Text: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure
(9-10.RL.CS.5)

9-12 Leon Bridges Media (9-10.RI.IKI.7) Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RI.1)

on Overcoming Skill: Informational Text Elements (9-10.RI.KID.3)
Informational Text
Childhood Informational Text Elements
Spotlight Elements (9-10.RI.KID.3)
Isolation and (9-10.RI.KID.3) Skill: Media (9-10.RI.IKI.7)
Finding His Language, Style, and
Voice: “You Unit 4 Audience (9-10.RI.CS.4)
Can’t Teach Text: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World
That Can’t Stop Talking
Soul”
Skill: Informational Text Elements (9-10.RI.KID.3)

PAIRED READINGS
13-17 Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2) Spotlight Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)
Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)
Highest Duty: Compare and Contrast (9-
My Search for Unit 4 10.RL.IKI.9)
What Really Text: The Cask of Amontillado
Matters Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)

Bessie Unit 5
Coleman: Text: Catch the Moon
Woman who Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)
‘dared to
dream’ made
Unit 6
aviation history
Text: The Scarlet Ibis
Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)
Volar

6
 Skill and Standard Additional Program Lessons for
Days Readings Skill Practice and Spiraling
Instruction Reteaching

18-21 Wild: From Lost to Author’s Purpose Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RI.KID.1)
Found on the Pacific and Point of View Skill: Informational Text Structure
Crest Trail (9-10.RI.CS.6) (9-10.RI.CS.5) Informational Text Structure (9-10.RI.CS.5)

Informational Text Spotlight Author’s Purpose and Point of View

Structure Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of (9-10.RI.CS.6)
(9-10.RI.CS.5) View (9-10.RI.CS.6)
Central or Main Idea (9-10.RI.KID.2)
Central or Main Unit 2
Idea (9-10.RI.KID.2) Text: Restless Genes
Skill: Informational Text Structure
(9-10.RI.CS.5)

Unit 3
Text: An Indian Father’s Plea
Skill: Informational Text Structure
(9-10.RI.CS.5)

Unit 3
Text: An Indian Father’s Plea Skill:
Author’s Purpose and Point of View
(9-10.RI.CS.6)

Unit 3
Text: Georgia O’Keeffe
Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of
View (9-10.RI.CS.6)

Unit 4
Text: Remarks to the Senate
in Support of a Declaration of
Conscience
Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of
View (9-10.RI.CS.6)

Unit 6
Text: Letters to a Young Poet
Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of
view (9-10.RI.CS.6)

PAIRED READINGS
22-26 Informational Text Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RI.KID.1)
Structure Skill: Connotation and Denotation
The Art of Choosing (9-10.RI.CS.5) (9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5) Informational Text Elements
(9-10.RI.KID.3)
Restless Genes Connotation Spotlight
and Denotation Skill: Informational Text Structure Connotation and Denotation
(9-10.RI.CS.4; (9-10.RI.CS.5) (9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5)
9-10.L.VAU.5)
Unit 3: Informational Text Structure (9-10.RI.CS.5)
Text: An Indian Father’s Plea
Skill: Informational Text Structure
(9-10.RI.CS.5)

27 Apollo 13: Mission

Highlights

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 7

 In the second half of the unit, students continue exploring texts that address the unit’s Essential Question. In addition, in the Extended Writing
Project, they begin crafting a longer composition to share their own ideas about the Essential Question.

Extended Writing Project

Days Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Lessons for Reteaching
and Grammar

16 Informative Writing Process:

Plan

17-19 Informative Writing Process: Organizing Informative Writing Spotlight

Draft (9-10.W.TTP.2.b) Skill: Organizing Informative Writing

Thesis Statement (9-10.W.TTP.2.a)

20-24 Informative Writing Process: Introductions (9-10.W.TTP.2.a) Spotlight

Revise Skill: Introductions (9-10.W.TTP.2.a)
Transitions (9-10.W.TTP.2.b)
Spotlight
Precise Language (9-10.W.TTP.2.f) Skill: Transitions (9-10.W.TTP.2.b)

Conclusions (9-10.W.TTP.2.d) Spotlight

Skill: Precise Language (9-10.W.TTP.2.f)

Spotlight
Skill: Conclusions (9-10.W.TTP.2.d)

25-28 Informative Writing Process: Style (9-10.W.TTP.2.g) Spotlight

Edit and Publish Skill: Style (9-10.W.TTP.2.g)
Colons (9-10.L.CSE.2)
Spotlight
Clauses – Adjective Clauses (9-10.L.CSE.1) Skill: Colons (9-10.L.CSE.2)

Clauses – Adverb Clauses (9-10.L.CSE.1) Spotlight

Skill: Clauses – Adjective Clauses (9-10.L.CSE.1)

Spotlight
Skill: Clauses – Adverb Clauses (9-10.L.CSE.1)

The final two days of the unit are reserved for review and assessment.

Days Review and Assessment Skill Practice and Assessment

Students will have the opportunity to complete one or more Spotlight

29 Spotlight Skills Review skill lessons in order to improve understanding and further practice
skills from the unit that they found most challenging.

For more detail, please see the End-of-Unit Assessment chart below
30 End-of-Unit Assessment
for Grade 9 Unit 2.

8
 Assessment results can be viewed by item, standard, and skil to monitor mastery and make decisions for upcoming instruction.

Assessment Section Content Assessed Skills and Standards

The Adventure Itself Informational Text Elements 9-10.RI.KID.3

Reading
Genre: Non-Fiction Connotation and Denotation 9-10.RI.CS.4
Word Count: 524 Informational Text Structure 9-10.RI.CS.5
Lexile: 1200 Textual Evidence 9-10.RI.KID.1
Author’s Purpose and Point of View 9-10.RI.CS.6
The Urban Exodus Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Genre: Fiction Informational Text Elements 9-10.RI.KID.3
Word Count: 562 Connotation and Denotation 9-10.RI.CS.4
Lexile: 1100 Informational Text Structure 9-10.RI.CS.5
Author’s Purpose and Point of View 9-10.RI.CS.6
Clearing the Way for Adventure Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Genre: Non-fiction Informational Text Elements 9-10.RI.KID.3
Word Count: 514 Connotation and Denotation 9-10.RI.CS.4
Lexile: 1300 Informational Text Structure 9-10.RI.CS.5
NOTE: Selection 4 is
Author’s Purpose and Point of View 9-10.RI.CS.6
optional. It highlights the
key skills of the unit and Adventures in English Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
of high-stakes testing Genre: Non-Fiction Informational Text Elements 9-10.RI.KID.3
and is a valuable asset if Word Count: 515 Connotation and Denotation 9-10.RI.CS.4
time allows. Lexile: 1100 Informational Text Structure 9-10.RI.CS.5

Student Passage #1 Adverb Clauses 9-10.L.CSE.1

Revising and Editing
Adjective Clauses 9-10.L.CSE.1
Semicolons 9-10.L.CSE.2
Colons 9-10.L.CSE.2
Conjunctive Adverbs 9-10.L.CSE.2
Independent and Dependent Clauses 9-10.L.CSE.1
Student Passage #2 Thesis 9-10.W.PDW.5
Supporting Details 9-10.W.PDW.5
Organizing Writing: Informational Writing 9-10.W.PDW.5
Precise Language 9-10.W.PDW.5
Beginnings and Conclusions 9-10.W.PDW.5

Writing Prompt: Informative Writing Informative Writing 9-10.W.TTP.2.a, 9-10.W.TTP.2.b, 9-10.W.TTP.2.c,

9-10.W.TTP.2.d, 9-10.W.TTP.2.e, 9-10.W.TTP.2.f, 9-10.W.TTP.2.g

The following instructional resources are available in addition to the instruction offered in the Core ELA content for this unit. These
resources are designed for flexible implementation alongside or in lieu of content offered in the 30 days of Core ELA unit instruction:

Resource Description Recommended Usage

“Chasing Deer” serves as structural and thematic model for “Restless Genes,”
Chasing Deer, Fiction
and may be used in place of or as an extension to this text.
“Women with Wings” serves as structural and thematic model for “Bessie
ELL Resources Women with Wings, Informational Coleman: Woman who ‘dared to dream’ made aviation history,” and may be used
in place of or as an extension to this text.
In this Extended Oral Project, students will write a personal narrative from the
EOP, Personal Narrative
point of view of Wilbur Wright. This may be assigned in place of this unit’s EWP.

A Walk in the Woods, Informational

Novel Studies are chosen to connect with each unit’s theme and essential
Novel Study Options Bless Me, Ultima, Fiction
question. They may be used alongside or in lieu of Core ELA texts in this unit.
The Hobbit, Fiction

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 9

GRADE 9 UNIT 3 Theme: Declaring Your Genius
Essential Question: How do you define intelligence?
Genre Focus: Argumentative Text

Days Readings Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Program Lessons for Reteaching Skill Practice and Spiraling

1-2 Big Idea: How Recognizing Genre: Write: Analyzing Genre

do you define Argumentative Text
intelligence?
Academic Vocabulary:
Writing About Thinking

PAIRED READINGS
3-8 Author’s Purpose and Spotlight Textual Evidence
Point of View Skill: Informational Text Structure (9-10.RI.CS.5) (9-10.RI.KID.1)
Señora X No (9-10.RI.CS.6)
More Spotlight Informational Text Structure
Reasons and Evidence Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View (9-10.RI.CS.6) (9-10.RI.CS.5)
from The (9-10.RI.IKI.8; 9-10.
Lost Letters SL.CC.3) Spotlight Author’s Purpose and Point
of Frederick Skill: Reasons and Evidence of View (9-10.RI.CS.6)
Douglass Informational Text (9-10.RI.IKI.8; 9-10.SL.CC.3)
Structure (9-10.RI.CS.5) Reasons and Evidence
An Indian Unit 3 (9-10.RI.IKI.8; 9-10.SL.CC.3)
Father’s Plea Text: Georgia O’Keeffe
Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View (9-10.RI.CS.6) Compare and Contrast
(9-10.RI.IKI.9)
Unit 4
Text: Remarks to the Senate in Support of a
Declaration of Conscience
Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View (9-10.RI.CS.6)

Unit 6
Text: Letters to a Young Poet
Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View (9-10.RI.CS.6)

Unit 6
Text: Letters to a Young Poet
Skill: Reasons and Evidence
(9-10.RI.IKI.8; 9-10.SL.CC.3)

9-12 Georgia Context Clues (9-10. Spotlight Textual Evidence

O’Keeffe RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.4.a) Skill: Context Clues (9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.4.a) (9-10.RI.KID.1)

Spotlight Context Clues

Author’s Purpose and Skill: Technical Language (9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.4.a)
Point of View (9-10.RI.4)
(9-10.RI.CS.6) Author’s Purpose and Point
Spotlight of View (9-10.RI.CS.6)
Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View (9-10.RI.CS.6)
Technical Language
(9-10.RI.CS.4) Unit 4
Text: Remarks to the Senate in Support of a
Declaration of Conscience
Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View (9-10.RI.CS.6)

Unit 6
Text: Letters to a Young Poet
Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View (9-10.RI.CS.6)

13 The Singularity
Is Near

10
 Skill and Standard Additional Program Lessons for
Days Readings Skill Practice and Spiraling
Instruction Reteaching

14-16 The Most Dangerous Story Structure Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RL.KID.1)
Game (9-10.RL.CS.5) Skill: Character (9-10.RL.KID.3)
Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)
Character Spotlight
(9-10.RL.KID.3) Skill: Story Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5) Story Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5)

Unit 4
Text: The Cask of Amontillado
Skill: Character (9-10.RL.KID.3)

Unit 3
Text: The Odyssey (Book XII - Butler
translation)
Skill: Character (9-10.RL.KID.3)

Unit 4
Text: The Cask of Amontillado
Skill: Story Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5)

Unit 5
Text: Catch the Moon
Skill: Story Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5)

PAIRED READINGS
17-21 Summarizing Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RI.KID.1)
(9-10.RI.KID.2) Skill: Summarizing (9-10.RI.KID.2)
Outliers: The Story of Summarizing (9-10.RI.KID.2)
Success Arguments and Spotlight
Claims (9-10.RI.IKI.8) Skill: Arguments and Claims Arguments and Claims (9-10.RI.IKI.8)
The Origin of (9-10.RI.IKI.8)
Intelligence Logical Fallacies Logical Fallacies (9-10.RI.IKI.8)
(9-10.RI.IKI.8) Spotlight
Skill: Logical Fallacies (9-10.RI.IKI.8)

Unit 4
Text: Quiet: The Power of Introverts
in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
Skill: Summarizing (9-10.RI.KID.2)

22 The Secret to Raising

Smart Kids

PAIRED READINGS
23-26 Character Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RL.KID.1)
(9-10.RL.KID.3) Skill: Character (9-10.RL.KID.3)
The Odyssey (A Graphic Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)
Novel) Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7) Spotlight
Skill: Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7) Character (9-10.RL.KID.3)
The Odyssey (Book XII
– Butler translation) Unit 4 Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7)
Text: The Cask of Amontillado
Skill: Character (9-10.RL.KID.3) Compare and Contrast (9-10.RL.IKI.9)

Unit 4
Text: The Tragedy of Romeo and
Juliet (Act III Scene ii)
Skill: Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7)

Unit 6
Text: Lumberjanes
Skill: Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7)

27 Convocation Remarks at
Harvard University

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 11

 In the second half of the unit, students continue exploring texts that address the unit’s Essential Question. In addition, in the Extended
Writing Project, they begin crafting a longer composition to share their own ideas about the Essential Question.

Extended Writing
Days Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Lessons for Reteaching
Project and Grammar

16 Argumentative Writing
Process: Plan

17-20 Argumentative Writing Thesis Statement (9-10.W.TTP.1.a) Spotlight

Process: Draft Skill: Thesis Statement (9-10.W.TTP.1.a)
Organizing Argumentative Writing
(9-10.W.TTP.1.c) Spotlight
Skill: Organizing Argumentative Writing (9-10.W.TTP.1.c)
Reasons and Relevant Evidence
(9-10.W.TTP.1.b) Spotlight
Skill: Reasons and Relevant Evidence (9-10.W.TTP.1.b)

21-24 Argumentative Writing Introduction (9-10.W.TTP.1.a) Spotlight

Process: Revise Skill: Introduction (9-10.W.TTP.1.a)
Transitions (9-10.W.TTP.1.c)
Spotlight
Conclusions (9-10.W.TTP.1.d) Skill: Transitions (9-10.W.TTP.1.c)

Spotlight
Skill: Conclusions (9-10.W.TTP.1.d)

25-28 Argumentative Writing Style (9-10.W.TTP.1.f) Spotlight

Process: Edit and Skill: Style (9-10.W.TTP.1.f)
Publish Parallel Structure (9-10.L.CSE.1)
Spotlight
Clauses – Noun Clauses (9-10.L.CSE.1) Skill: Parallel Structure (9-10.L.CSE.1)

Semicolons (9-10.L.CSE.1) Spotlight

Skill: Clauses – Noun Clauses (9-10.L.CSE.1)
Basic Spelling Rules II (9-10.L.CSE.2)
Spotlight
Skill: Semicolons (9-10.L.CSE.1)

Spotlight
Skill: Basic Spelling Rules II (9-10.L.CSE.2)

The final two days of the unit are reserved for review and assessment.

Days Review and Assessment Skill Practice and Assessment

Students will have the opportunity to complete one or more Spotlight

29 Spotlight Skills Review skill lessons in order to improve understanding and further practice
skills from the unit that they found most challenging.

For more detail, please see the End-of-Unit Assessment chart below
30 End-of-Unit Assessment
for Grade 9 Unit 3.

12
 Assessment results can be viewed by item, standard, and skil to monitor mastery and make decisions for upcoming instruction.

Assessment Section Content Assessed Skills and Standards

Twin Differences Character 9-10.RL.KID.3

Reading
Genre: Fiction Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Word Count: 825 Story Structure 9-10.RL.CS.5
Lexile: 1100
The Benefits of Problem-Solving in Summarizing 9-10.RI.KID.2
Math Instruction Informational Text Structure 9-10.RI.CS.5
Genre: Non-fiction Textual Evidence 9-10.RI.KID.1
Word Count: 532 Technical Language 9-10.RI.CS.4
Lexile: 1200 Author’s Purpose and Point of View 9-10.RI.CS.6
Reasons and Evidence 9-10.RI.IKI.8
Logical Fallacies 9-10.RI.IKI.8
Drill Practice for Mathematical Literacy Summarizing 9-10.RI.KID.2
Genre: Non-fiction Informational Text Structure 9-10.RI.CS.5
Word Count: 465 Technical Language 9-10.RI.CS.4
Lexile: 1200 Author’s Purpose and Point of View 9-10.RI.CS.6
NOTE: Selection 4 is
Textual Evidence 9-10.RI.KID.1
optional. It highlights the
Reasons and Evidence 9-10.RI.IKI.8
key skills of the unit and
Logical Fallacies 9-10.RI.IKI.8
of high-stakes testing
and is a valuable asset if The Science of Intelligence Technical Language 9-10.RI.CS.4
time allows. Genre: Non-Fiction Reasons and Evidence 9-10.RI.IKI.8
Word Count: 729 Summarizing 9-10.RI.KID.2
Lexile: 1200 Informational Text Structure 9-10.RI.CS.5
Author’s Purpose and Point of View 9-10.RI.CS.6
Textual Evidence 9-10.RI.KID.1
Student Passage #1 Semicolons 9-10.L.CSE.2
Revising and Editing
Noun Clauses 9-10.L.CSE.1
Parallel Structure 9-10.L.CSE.1
Spelling 9-10.L.CSE.2
Student Passage #2 Introductions 9-10.W.PDW.5
Thesis 9-10.W.PDW.5
Reasons and Relevant Evidence 9-10.W.PDW.5
Transitions 9-10.W.PDW.5
Conclusions 9-10.W.PDW.5

Writing Prompt: Argumentative Writing Argumentative Writing 9-10.W.TTP.1.a, 9-10.W.TTP.1.b, 9-10.W.TTP.1.c,

9-10.W.TTP.1.d, 9-10.W.TTP.1.e, 9-10.W.TTP.1.f

The following instructional resources are available in addition to the instruction offered in the Core ELA content for this unit. These
resources are designed for flexible implementation alongside or in lieu of content offered in the 30 days of Core ELA unit instruction:

Resource Description Recommended Usage

“Judging the Arts” serves as structural and thematic model for “Georgia
Judging the Arts, Argumentative
O’Keeffe,” and may be used in place of or as an extension to this text.
“The Importance of Mindset” serves as structural and thematic model for
The Importance of Mindset,
ELL Resources Outliers: The Story of Success, and may be used in place of or as an extension
Argumentative
to this text.
In this Extended Oral Project, students will write an informative presentation
EOP, Informative Presentation
about different learning styles. This may be assigned in place of this unit’s EWP.
Animal Farm, Fiction
Novel Studies are chosen to connect with each unit’s theme and essential
Novel Study Options Outliers: The Story of Success, Informational
question. They may be used alongside or in lieu of Core ELA texts in this unit.
The Odyssey, Fiction

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 13

GRADE 9 UNIT 4 Theme: The Art of Disguise
Essential Question: How do we perform for different audiences?
Genre Focus: Drama

Days Readings Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Program Lessons for Reteaching Skill Practice and Spiraling

1-2 Big Idea: How Recognizing Genre: Drama Write: Analyzing Genre
do we perform
for different Academic Vocabulary:
audiences? Technical Jargon

3-5 Quiet: The Summarizing (9-10.RI.KID.2) Spotlight Textual Evidence

Power of Skill: Summarizing (9-10.RI.KID.2) (9-10.RI.KID.1)
Introverts in Informational Text Elements
a World That (9-10.RI.KID.3) Spotlight Summarizing
Can’t Stop Skill: Informational Text Elements (9-10.RI.KID.3) (9-10.RI.KID.2)
Talking
Unit 6 Informational Text
Text: Maus Elements (9-10.RI.KID.3)
Skill: Informational Text Elements (9-10.RI.KID.3)

6-9 Remarks to Textual Evidence (9-10.RI.KID.1) Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.

the Senate in Skill: Textual Evidence (9-10.RI.KID.1) RI.KID.1)
Support of a Author’s Purpose and Point of
Spotlight Author’s Purpose and
Declaration of View (9-10.RI.CS.6) Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View Point of View (9-10.RI.CS.6)
Conscience (9-10.RI.CS.6)
Primary and Secondary Primary and Secondary
Sources (9-10.RI.IKI.9) Spotlight Sources (9-10.RI.IKI.9)
Skill: Primary and Secondary Sources
(9-10.RI.IKI.9)

Unit 6
Text: Letters to a Young Poet
Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View
(9-10.RI.CS.6)

PAIRED READINGS
10-14 Dramatic Elements and Spotlight Textual Evidence
Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5) Skill: Dramatic Elements and Structure (9-10.RL.KID.1)
Romiette and (9-10.RL.CS.5)
Julio Dramatic Elements and
Allusion (9-10.RL.IKI.9) Spotlight Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5)
The Tragedy Skill: Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7)
of Romeo and Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7) Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7)
Juliet (Act II, Spotlight
scene ii) Skill: Allusion (9-10.RL.IKI.9) Compare and Contrast
(9-10.RL.IKI.9)
Unit 4
Text: West Side Story
Skill: Dramatic Elements and Structure
(9-10.RL.CS.5)

15 We Wear the
Mask

14
 Skill and Standard Additional Program Lessons for
Days Readings Skill Practice and Spiraling
Instruction Reteaching

14-19 PAIRED READINGS Language, Style, Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RL.KID.1)

and Audience Skill: Language, Style, and
The Pose (9-10.RL.CS.4) Audience (9-10.RL.CS.4) Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)

Blues Ain’t No Mockin Connotation Spotlight Character (9-10.RL.KID.3)

Bird and Denotation Skill: Connotation and Denotation
(9-10.RI.CS.4; (9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5) Language, Style, and Audience
9-10.L.VAU.5) (9-10.RL.CS.4)
Unit 5
Text: Love in a Headscarf Compare and Contrast (9-10.RL.IKI.9)
Skill: Language, Style, and
Audience (9-10.RL.CS.4)

Unit 6
Text: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Skill: Language, Style, and
Audience (9-10.RL.CS.4)

Unit 5
Text: The Raven
Skill: Connotation and Denotation
(9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5)

20 West Side Story Dramatic Elements Spotlight

and Structure Skill: Dramatic Elements and
(9-10.RL.CS.5) Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5)

21-26 PAIRED READINGS Story Structure Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RL.KID.1)

(9-10.RL.CS.5) Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)
A Doll’s House Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2)
Character Spotlight
A Story of Vengeance (9-10.RL.KID.3) Skill: Character (9-10.RL.KID.3) Character (9-10.RL.KID.3)

The Cask of Amontillado Theme Spotlight Story Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5)

(9-10.RL.KID.2) Skill: Story Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5)

Unit 5
Text: Catch the Moon
Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.3)

Unit 6
Text: The Scarlet Ibis
Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.3)

Unit 5
Text: Catch the Moon
Skill: Story Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5)

27 Eulogy for Mahatma

Ghandhi

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 15

 In the second half of the unit, students continue exploring texts that address the unit’s Essential Question. In addition, in the Extended
Writing Project, they begin crafting a longer composition to share their own ideas about the Essential Question.

Extended Writing Project

Days Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Lessons for Reteaching
and Grammar

16 Research Writing Process: Plan

17-20 Research Writing Process: Planning Research (9-10.W.RBPK.7) Spotlight

Draft Skill: Planning Research (9-10.W.RBPK.7)
Evaluating Sources
(9-10.W.RBPK.8; 9-10.SL.CC.2) Spotlight
Skill: Evaluating Sources
Research and Notetaking (9-10.W.RBPK.7) (9-10.W.RBPK.8; 9-10.SL.CC.2)

Spotlight
Skill: Research and Notetaking (9-10.W.RBPK.7)

21-25 Research Writing Process: Critiquing Research (9-10.W.RBPK.7) Spotlight

Revise Skill: Critiquing Research (9-10.W.RBPK.7)
Paraphrasing (9-10.W.RBPK.8)
Spotlight
Sources and Citations (9-10.W.RBPK.8) Skill: Paraphrasing (9-10.W.RBPK.8)

Print and Graphic Features (9-10.W.TTP.2.g) Spotlight

Skill: Sources and Citations (9-10.W.RBPK.8)

Spotlight
Skill: Print and Graphic Features (9-10.W.TTP.2.g)

26-28 Research Writing Process: Edit Using a Style Guide (9-10.L.KL.3) Spotlight
and Publish Skill: Using a Style Guide (9-10.L.KL.3)
Conjunctions: Conjunctive Adverbs
(9-10.L.CSE.2) Spotlight
Skill: Conjunctions: Conjunctive Adverbs
Modifiers - Absolute Phrases (9-10.L.CSE.1) (9-10.L.CSE.2)

Spotlight
Skill: Modifiers - Absolute Phrases (9-10.L.CSE.1)

The final two days of the unit are reserved for review and assessment.

Days Review and Assessment Skill Practice and Assessment

Students will have the opportunity to complete one or more Spotlight

29 Spotlight Skills Review skill lessons in order to improve understanding and further practice
skills from the unit that they found most challenging.

For more detail, please see the End-of-Unit Assessment chart below
30 End-of-Unit Assessment
for Grade 9 Unit 4.

16
 Assessment results can be viewed by item, standard, and skil to monitor mastery and make decisions for upcoming instruction.

Assessment Section Content Assessed Skills and Standards

The Actress Character 9-10.RL.KID.3

Reading
Genre: Fiction Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Word Count: 962 Story Structure 9-10.RL.CS.5
Lexile: 1050
Excerpt From The Importance of Being Earnest Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Scene II Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
Genre: Drama Character 9-10.RL.KID.3
Word Count: 610 Connotation and Denotation 9-10.RL.CS.4
Lexile: N/A Dramatic Elements and Structure 9-10.RL.CS.5
Language, Style, and Audience 9-10.RL.CS.4
Modern Play Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
Genre: Drama Character 9-10.RL.KID.3
Word Count: 367 Connotation and Denotation 9-10.L.VAU.5
Lexile: N/A Language, Style, and Audience 9-10.RL.CS.4
NOTE: Selection 4 is
optional. It highlights the
Knock, Knock: What’s Funny? Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
key skills of the unit and
Genre: Drama Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
of high-stakes testing
Word Count: 798 Character 9-10.RL.KID.3
and is a valuable asset if
Lexile: N/A Dramatic Elements and Structure 9-10.RL.CS.5
time allows.
Language, Style, and Audience 9-10.RL.CS.4
Connotation and Denotation 9-10.RL.CS.4
Student Passage #1 Absolute Phrases 9-10.L.CSE.1
Revising and Editing
Conjunctive Adverbs 9-10.L.CSE.2

Student Passage #2 Transitions 9-10.W.PDW.5

Statements 9-10.W.PDW.5
Evidence Use 9-10.W.PDW.5
Examples 9-10.W.PDW.5

Writing Prompt: Argumentative Writing Research Report 9-10.W.TTP.2.a, 9-10.W.TTP.2.b, 9-10.W.TTP.2.c,

9-10.W.TTP.2.d, 9-10.W.TTP.2.e, 9-10.W.TTP.2.f, 9-10.W.TTP.2.g

The following instructional resources are available in addition to the instruction offered in the Core ELA content for this unit. These
resources are designed for flexible implementation alongside or in lieu of content offered in the 30 days of Core ELA unit instruction:

Resource Description Recommended Usage

“Love at First Sight, Drama” serves as structural and thematic model for The
Love at First Sight, Drama Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet and may be used in place of or as an extension to
this text.

ELL Resources “Family Ties, Drama” serves as structural and thematic model for “The Pose,”
Family Ties, Drama
and may be used in place of or as an extension to this text.

In this Extended Oral Project, students will write and present an informational
EOP, Informational Presentation presentation about an occupation they would like to have. This may be assigned
in place of this unit’s EWP.

Romiette and Julio, Fiction

Novel Study Options Novel Studies are chosen to connect with each unit’s theme and essential
Lord of the Flies, Fiction
question. They may be used alongside or in lieu of Core ELA texts in this unit.
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Drama

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 17

GRADE 9 UNIT 5 Theme: The Dance of Romance
Essential Question: When is love worth the fall?
Genre Focus: Poetry

Days Readings Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Program Lessons for Reteaching Skill Practice and Spiraling

1-2 Big Idea: When Recognizing Genre: Poetry Write: Analyzing Genre
is love worth
the fall? Academic Vocabulary:
Debating with Others

3-7 PAIRED READINGS Story Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5) Spotlight Textual Evidence

Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2) (9-10.RL.KID.1)
The Gift of the Point of View (9-10.RL.CS.6)
Magi Spotlight Theme
Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2) Skill: Story Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5) (9-10.RL.KID.2)
Catch the Moon
Spotlight Story Structure
Skill: Point of View (9-10.RL.CS.6) (9-10.RL.CS.5)

Unit 6 Point of View

Text: The Scarlet Ibis (9-10.RL.KID.6)
Skill: Theme (9-10.RL.KID.3)

8-10 Love in a Central or Main Idea Spotlight Textual Evidence

Headscarf (9-10.RI.KID.2) Skill: Language, Style, and Audience (9-10.RL.KID.1)
(9-10.RL.CS.4)
Language, Style, and
Author’s Purpose and Point of Spotlight Audience (9-10.RL.CS.4)
View (9-10.RL.CS.6) Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View
(9-10.RL.CS.6) Author’s Purpose and
Language, Style, and Point of View
Unit 6 (9-10.RL.CS.6)
Audience (9-10.RL.CS.4)
Text: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Skill: Language, Style, and Audience
(9-10.RL.CS.4)

11 Sonnet 116

12-15 PAIRED READINGS Poetic Elements and Structure Spotlight Textual Evidence
(9-10.RL.CS.5) Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure (9-10.RL.KID.1)
Masters of Love (9-10.RL.CS.5)
Poetic Elements and
Redbird Love Unit 5 Structure
Text: Dusting (9-10.RL.CS.5)
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure
(9-10.RL.CS.5) Compare and Contrast
(9-10.RL.IKI.9)
Unit 5
Text: The Raven
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure
(9-10.RL.CS.5)

Unit 6
Text: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure
(9-10.RL.CS.5)

18
 Skill and Standard Additional Program Lessons for
Days Readings Skill Practice and Spiraling
Instruction Reteaching

16-20 Dusting Poetic Elements and Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RL.KID.1)

Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5) Skill: Textual Evidence
(9-10.RL.KID.1) Figurative Language
Figurative Language (9-10. (9-10.RL.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5)
RL.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5) Spotlight
Skill: Figurative Language Poetic Elements and Structure
Textual Evidence (9-10. (9-10.RL.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5) (9-10.RL.CS.5)
RL.KID.1)
Spotlight
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure (9-
10.RL.CS.5)

Unit 5
Text: The Raven
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure (9-
10.RL.CS.5)

Unit 6
Text: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure (9-
10.RL.CS.5)

21-26 PAIRED READINGS Poetic Elements and Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RL.KID.1)
Structure (9-10.RL.CS.5) Skill: Connotation and Denotation
A Song of (9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5) Connotation and Denotation
Changgan Connotation and (9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5)
Denotation Spotlight
How Do I Love (9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5) Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure Poetic Elements and Structure
Thee? (Sonnet (9-10.RL.CS.5) (9-10.RL.CS.5)
43)
Unit 6
The Raven Text: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure
(9-10.RL.CS.5)

27 The Loneliness
of Lost Love in
Edgar Allan Poe’s
“The Raven”

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 19

 In the second half of the unit, students continue exploring texts that address the unit’s Essential Question. In addition, in the Extended
Writing Project, they begin crafting a longer composition to share their own ideas about the Essential Question.

Extended Writing Project

Days Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Lessons for Reteaching
and Grammar

16 Literary Analysis Writing

Process: Plan

17-20 Literary Analysis Writing Thesis Statement (9-10.W.TTP.1.a) Spotlight

Process: Draft Skill: Thesis Statement (9-10.W.TTP.1.a)
Organizing Literary Analysis Writing
(9-10.W.TTP.1.c) Spotlight
Skill: Organizing Literary Analysis Writing
Reasons and Relevant Evidence (9-10.W.TTP.1.c)
(9-10.W.TTP.1.b)
Spotlight
Skill: Reasons and Relevant Evidence
(9-10.W.TTP.1.b)

21-25 Literary Analysis Writing Introduction (9-10.W.TTP.1.a) Spotlight

Process: Revise Skill: Introduction (9-10.W.TTP.1.a)
Transitions (9-10.W.TTP.1.c)
Spotlight
Style (9-10.W.TTP.1.f) Skill: Transitions (9-10.W.TTP.1.c)

Conclusions (9-10.W.TTP.1.d) Spotlight

Skill: Style (9-10.W.TTP.1.f)

Spotlight
Skill: Conclusions (9-10.W.TTP.1.d)

26-28 Literary Analysis Writing Verbals – Participles and Participial Phrases Spotlight
Process: Edit and Publish (9-10.L.CSE.1) Skill: Verbals – Participles and Participial Phrases
(9-10.L.CSE.1)
Commonly Misspelled Words (9-10.L.CSE.2)
Spotlight
Skill: Commonly Misspelled Words (9-10.L.CSE.2)

The final two days of the unit are reserved for review and assessment.

Days Review and Assessment Skill Practice and Assessment

Students will have the opportunity to complete one or more Spotlight

29 Spotlight Skills Review skill lessons in order to improve understanding and further practice
skills from the unit that they found most challenging.

For more detail, please see the End-of-Unit Assessment chart below
30 End-of-Unit Assessment
for Grade 9 Unit 5.

20
 Assessment results can be viewed by item, standard, and skil to monitor mastery and make decisions for upcoming instruction.

Assessment Section Content Assessed Skills and Standards

In Dark Loss Character 9-10.RL.KID.3

Reading
Genre: Poetry Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Word Count: 111 Story Structure 9-10.RL.CS.5
Lexile: N/A
Strength of Love Language, Style, and Audience 9-10.RL.CS.4
Genre: Fiction Figurative Language 9-10.RL.CS.4
Word Count: 766 Connotation and Denotation 9-10.RL.CS.4
Lexile: 1100 Context Clues 9-10.L.VAU.4.a
Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
Story Structure 9-10.RL.CS.5
Point of View 9-10.RL.CS.6
House for Sale Language, Style, and Audience 9-10.RL.CS.4
Genre: Fiction Connotation and Denotation 9-10.RL.CS.4
Word Count: 967 Figurative Language 9-10.RL.CS.4
Lexile: 1200 Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
NOTE: Selection 4 is
Context Clues 9-10.L.VAU.4.a
optional. It highlights the
Story Structure 9-10.RL.CS.5
key skills of the unit and
Point of View 9-10.RL.CS.6
of high-stakes testing
Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
and is a valuable asset if
time allows. I Am the People, the Mob Figurative Language 9-10.RL.CS.4
Genre: Poetry Textual Evidence 9-10.RL.KID.1
Word Count: 197 Language, Style, and Audience 9-10.RL.CS.4
Lexile: N/A Context Clues 9-10.L.VAU.4.a
Theme 9-10.RL.KID.2
Poetic Elements and Structure 9-10.RL.CS.5
Student Passage #1 Spelling 9-10.L.CSE.2
Revising and Editing
Verbal Phrases 9-10.L.CSE.1

Student Passage #2 Introductions 9-10.W.PDW.5

Thesis 9-10.W.PDW.5
Reasons and Relevant Evidence 9-10.W.PDW.5
Transitions 9-10.W.PDW.5
Conclusions 9-10.W.PDW.5

Writing Prompt: Research Report Research Report 9-10.W.TTP.1.a, 9-10.W.TTP.1.b, 9-10.W.TTP.1.c,

9-10.W.TTP.1.d, 9-10.W.TTP.1.e, 9-10.W.TTP.1.f

The following instructional resources are available in addition to the instruction offered in the Core ELA content for this unit. These
resources are designed for flexible implementation alongside or in lieu of content offered in the 30 days of Core ELA unit instruction:

Resource Description Recommended Usage

“Food: Love or Addiction” serves as structural and thematic model for “Love in a
Food: Love or Addiction, Informational
Headscarf,” and may be used in place of or as an extension to this text.

“The Visitor” serves as structural and thematic model for “The Raven,” and may
ELL Resources The Visitor, Poetry
be used in place of or as an extension to this text.

In this Extended Oral Project, students will write and present debate points
EOP, Debate Points
about the meaning of true love. This may be assigned in place of this unit’s EWP.

Untwine, Fiction
Novel Studies are chosen to connect with each unit’s theme and essential
Novel Study Options Anthem, Fiction
question. They may be used alongside or in lieu of Core ELA texts in this unit.
Great Expectations, Fiction

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 21

GRADE 9 UNIT 6 Theme: Human Potential
Essential Question: How can you help others achieve their goals?
Genre Focus: Fiction

Days Readings Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Program Lessons for Reteaching Skill Practice and Spiraling

1-2 Big Idea: How Recognizing Genre: Write: Analyzing Genre

can you help Multigenre Text
others achieve
their goals? Academic Vocabulary:
Running the Economy

PAIRED READINGS
3-6 Author’s Purpose and Point of Spotlight Textual Evidence
View (9-10.RI.CS.6) Skill: Author’s Purpose and Point of View (9-10.RI.KID.1)
Letter to My (9-10.RI.CS.6)
Younger Self Reasons and Evidence Author’s Purpose and
(9-10.RI.IKI.8; 9-10.SL.CC.3) Spotlight Point of View (9-10.RI.CS.6)
Letters to a Skill: Reasons and Evidence
Young Poet (9-10.RI.IKI.8; 9-10.SL.CC.3) Reasons and Evidence
(9-10.RI.IKI.8; 9-10.SL.CC.3)

Compare and Contrast

(9-10.RI.IKI.9)

7-9 Maus Informational Text Elements Spotlight Textual Evidence

(9-10.RI.KID.3) Skill: Informational Text Elements (9-10.RI.KID.3) (9-10.RI.KID.1)

Informational Text
Elements (9-10.RI.KID.3)

Author’s Purpose and

Point of View (9-10.RI.CS.6)

10-11 The Scarlet Ibis Theme (9-10.RL.KID.2) Spotlight Textual Evidence

(9-10.RL.KID.1)
Word Meaning (9-10.L.VAU.4)

PAIRED READINGS
12-16 Figurative Language Spotlight Figurative Language
(9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5) Skill: Figurative Language (9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5)
To Kill a (9-10.RI.CS.4; 9-10.L.VAU.5)
Mockingbird
(from Chapters
3, 15)

The Girl Who

Can

I Know Why
the Caged Bird
Sings

PAIRED READINGS
17-21 Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7) Spotlight Textual Evidence
Skill: Summarizing (9-10.RL.KID.2) (9-10.RL.KID.1)
Advice to Little Summarizing (9-10.RL.KID.2)
Girls Spotlight Summarizing
Skill: Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7) (9-10.RL.KID.2)
Lumberjanes
Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7)

Compare and Contrast

(9-10.RL.IKI.9)

22
 Skill and Standard Additional Program Lessons for
Days Readings Skill Practice and Spiraling
Instruction Reteaching

22 Pride and
Perseverance

23 Ode to the
Selfie

24-27 Lift Every Voice Language, Style, and Spotlight Textual Evidence (9-10.RL.KID.1)
and Sing Audience Skill: Language, Style, and
(9-10.RL.CS.4) Audience (9-10.RL.CS.4) Language, Style, and Audience
(9-10.RL.CS.4)
Poetic Elements and Spotlight
Structure Skill: Poetic Elements and Structure Poetic Elements and Structure
(9-10.RL.CS.5) (9-10.RL.CS.5) (9-10.RL.CS.5)

Media (9-10.RL.IKI.7)

Curriculum Guides | GRADE 9 23

 In the second half of the unit, students continue exploring texts that address the unit’s Essential Question. In addition, in the Extended
Writing Project, they begin crafting a longer composition to share their own ideas about the Essential Question.

Extended Writing Project

Days Skill and Standard Instruction Additional Lessons for Reteaching
and Grammar

16 Oral Presentation Process:

Plan

17-20 Oral Presentation Process: Evaluating Sources Spotlight

Draft (9-10.W.RBPK.8; 9-10.SL.CC.2) Skill: Evaluating Sources
(9-10.W.RBPK.8; 9-10.SL.CC.2)
Organizing an Oral Presentation
(9-10.SL.PKI.4, 9-10.SL.PKI.5) Spotlight
Skill: Organizing an Oral Presentation
Considering Audience and Purpose (9-10.SL.PKI.4, 9-10.SL.PKI.5)
(9-10.SL.PKI.4, 9-10.SL.PKI.6)
Spotlight
Skill: Considering Audience and Purpose
(9-10.SL.PKI.4, 9-10.SL.PKI.6)

21-24 Oral Presentation Process: Communicating Ideas (9-10.SL.PKI.4) Spotlight

Revise Skill: Communicating Ideas (9-10.SL.PKI.4)
Reasons and Relevant Evidence
(9-10.SL.CC.3) Spotlight
Skill: Reasons and Relevant Evidence
Sources and Citations (9-10.W.RBPK.8) (9-10.SL.CC.3)

Spotlight
Skill: Sources and Citations (9-10.W.RBPK.8)

25-28 Oral Presentation Process: Edit Economy of Language (9-10.L.KL.3) Spotlight

and Publish Skill: Economy of Language (9-10.L.KL.3)
Noun Clauses (9-10.L.CSE.1)
Spotlight
Skill: Noun Clauses (9-10.L.CSE.1)

The final two days of the unit are reserved for review and assessment.

Days Review and Assessment Skill Practice and Assessment

Students will have the opportunity to complete one or more Spotlight

29 Spotlight Skills Review skill lessons in order to improve understanding and further practice
skills from the unit that they found most challenging.

For more detail, please see the End-of-Unit Assessment chart below
30 End-of-Unit Assessment
for Grade 9 Unit 6.

24