Innovation Academy
Unit Plan Template
Unit 5: Modern Living
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ELA:
Culture,
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Individuals,
Groups, and
Interactions
Reading
Literature,
Language
Math:
Science:
Forces in Nature:
Electricity
Grade
Level
Unit
Overview
6th Grade
Number
System &
Geometry
Unit Length
Social Studies:
Two Weeks
Modern Living is a two-week standards-based unit that includes a two-day project at the end of the unit in
which students create integrated table presentations of holiday practices in other countries and a poetry
reading. The presentations will include contributions from science, math, ELA and social studies. The unit
culminates in a gallery walk in which parents and the public are invited to view the presentations. During
the parents’ visit the students will hold a poetry slam. The poems that are read will be comprised of the
cultural information they have acquired and composed using the learned ELA skills.
The relevant strands are:
Science – Forces in Nature
Math – The Number Systems, Geometry
ELA – Reading Literature, Language, Writing
Social Studies – Culture, Individuals, Groups, and Interactions
The project supports state standards in science (including forces in nature and inquiry), math (exploring
the Real Number System, the Pythagorean Theorem, area, surface area, and volume), ELA (poetry and
language), and social studies (cultural awareness and realization of major religions around the world).
Unit
Essential
Questions
Grouping Strategy – For this project students will be grouped by the country assigned for research in social
studies. Students will be allowed to choose a country based on interest and/or familial link.
What are the best descriptions, explanations and models to use when communicating scientific
understanding?
What are differences between adaptive and assistive engineering products and how are vaccines and
medicines classified?
What are conductors and insulators?
What is electric current?
How do we measure and control electric currents?
What energy transformations take place in electric circuits?
What are the literary techniques used in poetry?
Culminating
Event
How can poetry be used to inform a reader of an unfamiliar culture?
How can imagery improve the effectiveness of poetry?
What are the best descriptions of each of the sets of numbers in the Real Number System?
How do I estimate the location of a square root on a number line?
How do I solve an equation involving a variable being squared?
What is the Pythagorean Theorem?
How do I prove that an angle is 90 degrees?
How do I find the area of triangles, special quadrilaterals, and complex polygons?
How do I find the volume of Right Rectangular Prisms with fractional lengths?
How do I create a net of a geometric solid?
How do I use a net to find the surface area of a geometric solid?
What are the basic Christian beliefs?
What are the basic Islamic beliefs?
What are the basic beliefs of Judaism?
What are the basic Buddhist beliefs?
Who are the founders of these major religions?
Students will be creating tri-fold poster displays for a gallery walk for their parents, peers, and teachers.
Students will be grouped in heterogeneous groups of four students. Each group will be assigned a
particular country in which they will research in terms that country’s major religious holiday, basic cultural
traits, and dominant religion. When examining the major religious holiday students will look particularly
close at Christmas (or the country’s equivalent holiday) traditions, holiday foods, and particularly unique
holiday practices. Each item will have a visually appealing display and five solid bullet points of information
for the audience to enjoy. In addition, students will display two and three dimensional holiday decorations
and there will be a circuit of lights placed on the displays.
STEM Project Rubric
Common
Assessment
STEM Math IA
Components
Functions
25%
STEM Math IB
Components
The Number System
25%
Science Components:
Forces in Nature
Electricity
25%
Social Studies
Component
Major Religions
25%
ELA Component
Project Title: Modern Living
Student Name: _______________
Date: _______________________
Advanced
Proficient
Needs Improvement
The display contains one proof
of a right angle and one proof of
an angle not being right. The
reasoning is communicated
clearly, both mathematically and
verbally.
1. The display contains two
traditional holiday
decorations, one twodimensional and one threedimensional.
2. The area of a complex
polygon in the twodimensional decoration is
calculated and explained
clearly.
3. A net of the threedimensional decoration is
created and the surface
area of the threedimensional decoration is
calculated and explained
clearly.
Two completed circuits work
and:
1. Are labeled as parallel and
series.
2. At least three energy
transformations are
described for each circuit
3. The current is labeled for
each loop
4. The voltage drop across
each component is labeled.
5. All work is completed on
time.
The display contains one proof
of a right angle and one proof of
an angle not being right. The
reasoning is communicated
clearly either mathematically or
verbally.
1. The display contains two
traditional holiday
decorations, one twodimensional and one threedimensional.
2. The area of a complex
polygon in the twodimensional decoration is
calculated.
3. A net of the threedimensional decoration is
created and the surface
area of the threedimensional decoration is
calculated.
The display contains either one
proof of a right angle or one
proof of angle not being right.
The reasoning is communicated
clearly either mathematically or
verbally.
1. The display contains two
traditional holiday
decorations, one twodimensional and one threedimensional.
2. The area of a complex
polygon in the twodimensional decoration is
calculated.
OR
A net of the three-dimensional
decoration is created and the
surface area of the threedimensional decoration is
calculated.
Two completed circuits work
and:
1. Are labeled as parallel and
series.
2. At least two energy
transformations are
described for each circuit
3. The current is labeled for
each loop
4. The voltage drop across ten
components is labeled.
5. All work is completed on
time.
Visually appealing display with 5
images and 20 well-written
bullet points of information with
2 or fewer grammatical
mistakes.
Visually appealing display with 4
images and 17 well-written
bullet points of information with
3 or fewer grammatical
mistakes.
Two completed circuits work
and:
1. Are labeled as parallel and
series.
2. At least two energy
transformations are
described for each circuit
3. The current is labeled for
the main loops
4. The voltage drop across
seven components is
labeled.
5. All work is completed on
time.
Visually appealing display with 3
images and 14 well-written
bullet points of information with
5 or fewer grammatical
mistakes.
1.
1.
1.
Poem
2.
25%
3.
4.
5.
At least four types of
figurative language are
used
0 grammatical or spelling
errors
Two examples of
symbolism
Poem vividly depicts the
culture it is being used to
describe without factual
errors
Poem includes 10 facts
about the assigned culture
2.
3.
4.
5.
At least three types of
figurative language are
used
1-3 grammatical or spelling
errors
One example of symbolism
Poem depicts the culture it
is being used to describe
without factual errors
Poem includes 8-9 facts
about the assigned culture
2.
3.
4.
5.
At least two types of
figurative language are
used
>4 grammatical or spelling
errors
One example of symbolism
Poem depicts the culture it
is being used to describe
without factual errors
Poem includes <8 facts
about the assigned culture
Unit
Objectives
I can describe electric current.
I can describe and explain energy transformations in electric circuits.
I can use poetry and figurative language to communicate facts about a culture.
I can determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in poetry, including figurative
and connotative meanings and analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
I can identify the world’s major religions, what they believe, and their founders.
Strands (main ideas taught in unit)
ELA
Reading Literature, Writing, Language
Math
The Number System, Geometry
Science
Forces in Nature: Electricity
Social
Studies
Culture, Individuals, Groups, and Interactions
Vocabulary
ELA
Math
Science
 Poetry- a literary work in metrical form; verse
 Connotative language- a secondary meaning of a word- positive or negative
 Denotative language- dictionary meaning of the word
 Imagery- using language to form mental images
 Symbolic language- language that figuratively represents something else
STEM Math IA
 Rational Number— a number that can be written in the form
𝑎
, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 ≠ 0, or fraction form.
𝑏
 Irrational Number— a number that cannot be written in the form
𝑎
, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 ≠ 0, or fraction form.
𝑏
 Square Root—a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the number.
 Hypotenuse— the longest side of a right triangle, opposite the right angle.
 Legs of a Right Triangle— The sides adjacent to the right angle

STEM Math IB
 Area- the number of square units it takes to cover a two-dimensional object.
 Surface Area- the total area of the surface of a three-dimensional object
 Volume-the number of cubic units it takes to fill a three-dimensional object.
 Net- Net is a two-dimensional pattern of a three-dimensional figure that can be folded to form the
figure. In other words, net is a flattened three-dimensional figure, which can be turned into the
solid by folding it.
 Rectangular Prism-a three-dimensional figure that is composed of 6 rectangular faces. Opposite
faces in a rectangular prism are congruent and parallel.
 Atom – unit of matter consisting of electrons, protons and neutrons
 Charges – negative or positive particles that exert forces on each other
 Electric current – movement of charges in time
 Voltage – potential energy per charge
 Resistance – quality of a material that resists the flow of electric charges (compare Conductors




Social
Studies

and Insulators in terms of resistance)
Monotheism—Belief in one god.
Polytheism—Belief in more than one god.
Religion—Belief in and worship of god or gods.
Quran—Sacred text of Islam.
Torah—Sacred text of Judaism.
Key Questions
ELA
Math
Science
What are the literary
techniques used in
poetry?
How do I prove an
angle is a right
angle?
What are
insulators and
conductors
How are denotation
and connotation
different?
How do I find the
area of a complex
polygon?
What is
voltage?
How can imagery
improve the
effectiveness of
poetry?
How do I create a
net of a threedimensional figure?
What is
electric
current?
Social Studies
CTE &
Technology
How are
Christianity
and Islam
similar and
different?
What are the
basic beliefs
of Judaism?
How are
Hinduism and
Buddhism
similar and
different?
Why did
Buddhism
begin?
Hook for
Unit
Literature /
Informativ
e Text
Componen
t
“Intercultural Training” see resource folder
Writing
Closure
Students will compose a piece of poetry that depicts the uniqueness of an assigned culture. Each poem
will contain at least four types of figurative language, two examples of symbolism, and ten vivid cultural
facts. Poems will be written in correct format using stanzas and lines. Poems will also be written using
rhythm techniques in order for them to be easily read.
At the end of the unit, parents will be invited to hear the students recite their poetry and view the cultural
displays. In Multi-Media, students will create a visual to display along with the poem to enhance its
meaning and symbolism.
Card Stock
Tri-fold Displays
Materials
Needed for
Culminating
Students will be exposed to several pieces of poetry that depicts different cultures and techniques.
Throughout the study, students will analyze the poems for symbolic meanings, imagery, rhythm, and
figurative language.
“Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore
“A Christmas Carol” by G.K. Chesterton
“The Three Kings” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Event
Color Printer
Construction Paper
Tacky Glue
Ticky Tack
Strands of Christmas Lights (25-50 bulbs to a strand)
Strands of LED Christmas Lights (25-50 bulbs to a strand)
9-volt batteries
Aluminum Foil
Floral Tap
18 Gauge Flexible Wire
18 Gauge Copper or Alloy Wire
Single-Throw Light Switch
Power Strip
Standards: Common Core Standards, Tennessee State Standards
ELA
RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences
Common
drawn from the text.
Core
RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details;
Standards.
provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and
connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a
text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.
RL.6.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels
and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.
L.6.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word
meanings.
L.6.5.a Vocabulary Acquisition and Use Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in
context.
L.6.5.b Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., cause/effect, part/whole,
item/category) to better understand each of the words.
L.6.5.c Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations
(definitions) (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty).
Math
Common
Core
Standards.
STEM Math IA
8.NS.2. Use rational approximations of irrational numbers to compare the size of irrational numbers,
locate them approximately on a number line diagram, and estimate the value of expressions.
8.EE.A.1 Know and apply the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical
expressions.
8.G.6. Explain a proof of the Pythagorean Theorem and its converse.
8.G.7. Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown side lengths in right triangles in real-world
and mathematical problems in two- and three-dimensions.
STEM Math IB
6.G.1. Find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals, and polygons by composing
into rectangles or decomposing into triangles and other shapes; apply these techniques in the context of
solving real-world and mathematical problems.
6G. 2. Find the volume of a right rectangular prism with fractional edge lengths by packing it with unit
cubes of the appropriate unit fraction edge lengths, and show that the volume is the same as would be
found by multiplying the edge lengths of the prism. Apply the formulas V = l w h and V = b h to find
volumes of right rectangular prisms with fractional edge lengths in the context of solving real-world and
mathematical problems.
6.G. 4. Represent three-dimensional figures using nets made up of rectangles and triangles, and use the
nets to find the surface area of these figures. Apply these techniques in the context of solving real-world
and mathematical problems.
Science
Tennessee
State
Standards.
SPI 0607.12.1 Identify how simple circuits are associated with the transfer of electrical energy when
heat, light, sound, and chemical changes are produced.
SPI 0607.12.2 Identify materials that can conduct electricity.
SPI 0607.Inq.1 Design a simple experimental procedure with an identified control and appropriate
variables.
SPI 0607.Inq.2 Select tools and procedures needed to conduct a moderately complex experiment.
SPI 0607.Inq.3 Interpret and translate data in a table, graph, or diagram.
SPI 0607.Inq.4 Draw a conclusion that establishes a cause and effect relationship supported by
evidence.
SPI 0607.Inq.5 Identify a faulty interpretation of data that is due to bias or experimental error.
Social
Studies
Tennessee
State
Standards.
1.01 Understand the nature and complexity of culture.
1.02 Recognize the role of major religions.
6.02 Understand how groups can impact change at world levels.
SPI’s6.1.spi.3. recognize the world's major religions and their founders (i.e., Judaism, Christianity, Islam,
Buddhism, Hinduism, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed).
6.1.spi.8. recognize how migration and cultural diffusion influenced the character of world societies (i.e.,
spread of religions, empire building, exploration, languages).
6.3.spi.6. interpret a graph that illustrates a major trend in world history (i.e. population growth,
economic development, governance land areas, growth of religions).
6.6.spi.1 identify examples of groups impacting world history (i.e., Muslims, Christians, Mongolians,
Vikings, slave traders, explorers, merchants/traders, inventors.)
Project Day 1 – Research day focusing on cultural tradition around the world.
Project Day 2 – Assemble tri-fold poster presentations and set up table areas with artifacts. Prepare
posters for wiring.
Project Day 3 – Wire posters, test lighting and troubleshoot. Label back of posters with electrical circuit
information.
Notes