CCSS ELA Units
Syllabus: Grade 9 ELA Unit 1
Theme: The Strengths and Weaknesses of One’s Character
Big Idea
Storytelling is more than listing a sequence of events.
Essential Questions
(Incorporate Real World Connections)
What are the traits and characteristics of good
storytelling?
Essential Standards:
RL-3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop
over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
L-6 Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient
for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate
independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to
comprehension or expression.
RL-4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative
and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and
tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
(See grade 9–10 Language standards 4–6 for additional expectations.) CAL-4,
L-5a (gr 9-10) Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in
word meanings.
a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g., euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze their role in the
text.
L-5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g.,
parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension,
or surprise.
W-3a Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique,
well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
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a. Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or
multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression
of experiences or events.
W-3b Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot
lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters
W-3d Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture
of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.
W-3e Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or
resolved over the course of the narrative.
L-1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing
or speaking.
a. Use parallel structure.*
b. Use various types of phrases (noun, verb, adjectival, adverbial, participial, prepositional, absolute)
and clauses (independent, dependent; noun, relative, adverbial) to convey specific meanings and
add variety and interest to writing or presentations.
L-2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling when writing.
a. Use a semicolon (and perhaps a conjunctive adverb) to link two or more closely related
independent clauses.
b. Use a colon to introduce a list or quotation. Spell correctly.
Technology Standards:
W-6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared
writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to
display information flexibly and dynamically.
Student Assignments
Assignment 1: Text 1: Literary
Purple Level (Globe Fearon)
The Locket, Kate Chopin (p. 5-12)
Read: Learn About in front of the story
Read: The Locket
Answer Questions in Learn About
Answer “Think About Questions”
Complete “Predict Outcomes”
Complete “Develop Your Vocabulary” section of Review the Selection.
Complete Writing Connection REQUIRED: use 5-7 vocabulary words from the story vocabulary
list.
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CCSS ELA Units
Respond to the Discussion Board Question posted for this reading with one new response of
your own and respond to one other students response.
Assignment 2: Text 2: Literary
Purple Level (Globe Fearon)
The Judge’s House by Brian Stoker
( p. 169-179)
Read: Learn About in front of the story
Read: The Judge’s House
Answer Questions in Learn About
Answer “Think About Questions”
Complete “Predict Outcomes”
Complete “Develop Your Vocabulary” section of Review the Selection.
Complete Writing Connection REQUIRED: use 5-7 vocabulary words from the story vocabulary
list.
Respond to the Discussion Board Question posted for this reading with one new response of
your own and respond to one other students response.
Assignment 3: Text 3: Literary
Purple Level (Globe Fearon)
Sherlock Holmes and the Speckled Band, Arthur Conan Doyle
(225-249)
Read: Learn About in front of the story
Read: Sherlock Holmes and the Speckled Band
Answer Questions in Learn About
Answer “Think About Questions”
Complete “Predict Outcomes”
Complete “Develop Your Vocabulary” section of Review the Selection.
Complete Writing Connection REQUIRED: use 5-7 vocabulary words from the story vocabulary
list.
Respond to the Discussion Board Question posted for this reading with one new response of
your own and respond to one other students response.
Assignment 4: Use www.dictionary.com to find or create a word list from the Academic
Vocabulary Word List in the Student Resourse Section below. Play a game with the vocabulary
words in Unit 1 Student Resources. Print your score from a game if you earned at least 80%.
Complete the Plato “RCOE Grade 9 Unit 1” modules.
Assignment 5: Activity:
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Write a 5 paragraph autobiography about an event in your life. Plan your writing using the
graphic organizer provided in Student Resources. Edit your writing using the Narrative Essay
Revising & Editing Guide in student resources.
Submit your autobiography at http://www.paperrater.com/ for a final check before submitting
it to your teacher.
Create a wordle at www.wordle.com for the cover page of your autobiography.
Submit your essay to your teacher using the dropbox feature in Haiku. Include your Wordle
Cover page and printout from paperrater.
Assessment: Oars/Inspect Test
Oars Inspect Grade 9 Unit I ELA Assessment (required)
Student Resources
Tier 2 Words
musket
sanctified
resignation
relent
semblance
gables
absurd
bogies
wainscot
relic
tremor
malignant
deduce
felony
autopsy
inquest
plea
forensic
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Academic Vocabulary
Tier 3 Words
theme
analyze
manipulate
apply
comprehend
formal
initiate collaborative
diverse
collegial
propel
perspectives
agreement
disagreement
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defendant
perpetrator
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