Word
Generation
CCDD Version
4th grade:
12 two-week units
5th grade:
12 two-week units
6th Grade:
12 one-week
interdisciplinary units
6 one-week science literacy
units
6 one-week social studies
literacy units
7th Grade:
12 one-week
interdisciplinary units
6 one-week science literacy
units
6 one-week social studies
literacy units
8th Grade:
12 one-week
interdisciplinary units
6 one-week science literacy
units
6 one-week social studies
literacy units
Word
Generation
CCDD Version
4th grade:
5th grade:
12 two-week units
12 two-week units
Word
Generation
CCDD Version
for 6th, 7th and 8th grades
12 one-week
interdisciplinary units
6 one-week science
literacy units
6 one-week social
studies literacy units
Sample Format of a Word Generation twoweek 4th or 5th grade unit (CCDD)
Day 1
Day 6
Newscast/Reader’s Theater
Interview
Day 2
Day 7
Characters’ Perspectives
Math
Day 3
Day 8
Word Study
Pre-debate
Day 4
Day 9
Word Study, cont.
Debate
Day 5
Day 10
Science
Writing
Sample format of a Word Generation
interdisciplinary unit (6th-8th Grade)
Monday
Weekly Passage, Discussion Questions,
Word Chart
Tuesday
Problem of the Week
Wednesday
Thinking Scientifically
Thursday
Debating the Issue
Friday
Write about it
*Teacher frequently will read
passage and ask both
comprehension and openended questions
*Both sides of issue are
introduced
*A few facts or statistics
*Intentionally unelaborated
upon
*Five focus words are
introduced
*Emphasis on informational text in CCSS-ELA
*Accessible language but not overly simplified
*Launch Passage
(Monday - ELA Teacher)
6
*Teacher may use word
chart as resource or
activity
*Simplified over the last
year in response to
feedback
*Teacher edition has
variations of the words
*Launch Passage
(Monday - ELA Teacher)
(cont.)
7
*Word problem that is
related to controversy
*Focus words are used
*Two options are included
(Option 1 is 6th/7th,
Option 2 is 7th/8th).
*Discussion Question at
bottom for all students
*Teacher edition has
answers
*Problem of the week
(Tuesday - Math Teacher)
8
*Data from a science
experiment from a
fictional class
*Focus words are used
*Requires students to use
scientific language
*Discussion questions at
bottom engage students
in scientific
argumentation
*Teacher edition has
answers
*Thinking Scientifically
(Wednesday - Science Teacher)
9
*Students consider
positions on the topic
*Four positions are
included reflecting a
range of possible
arguments
*Teachers conduct debate
in a variety of ways (line
up, four corners,
fishbowl)
*Sentence starters
provided
*Debating The Issue
(Thursday - Social Studies Teacher)
10
*Students write for 15-20
minutes
*Take a position and
defend using reasons and
evidence
*Address counter
arguments
*Many modifications to
this activity
*Write about it
(Friday - ELA Teacher)
11
Sample Format of a Word Generation one-week
social studies unit for (6th-8th Grade)
Session 1
ALSO:
Reader’s Theater, Identifying
Different Perspectives
Related ELA Activity
Session 2
Related Science Activity
Building Background
Knowledge
Related Math Activity
Session 3
Learning through Reading
Session 4
Debate
Session 5
Writing
Focus Word Chart
Sample Format of a Word Generation one-week
science unit for (6th-8th Grade)
Session 1
Reader’s Theater, Identifying
Different Perspectives
ALSO:
Related ELA Activity
Session 2
Speaking Scientifically
Related Soc St Activity
Session 3
In the Lab
Related Math Activity
Session 4
A Meeting of the Minds
Session 5
Writing
Focus Word Chart