9th Grade Curriculum Map for Writing
Time
Content
What students must know
Skills
What students must do, relative to content
1st Quarter
ABC Paragraph Format
(RAS – restate, answer, support)
Developing Topic Sentence
Incorporating Key Words / Topic Words
Supporting ideas with examples
Effectively using of transitions
Pre-writing strategies
Creating Word Webs
Organizing T-charts
Brainstorming Lists
Note taking
Produce Free Writing / Sustained Writing
Assessments
3-5 ABC Paragraphs
(Constructed Response
with Formative,
Benchmark, &
Summative
Assessments)
Resources
Novels, short stories, articles, etc.
Mythology – Storytelling tradition
The Odyssey by Homer (required text)
Antigone by Sophocles (Honors only required text)
Various Short Stories from Text (required)
(Constructed Response
with Formative
Assessment)
Vocabulary Writing
Expanding vocabulary / word choice
Blog / Journal Writing
Following task directions
Stating the Main Idea
Summarizing
Making predictions
Drawing connections
Stating / Supporting an opinion
Responding appropriately to the ideas of others
5-10 Journal / Blog
Responses
(Constructed Response
with Formative,
Benchmark &
Performance)
Personal Narrative
Organizing / Sequencing ideas
Paragraphing
Writing an extended response
Expanding vocabulary / word choice
Using vivid language
Developing Voice
1-2 Extended Responses
(Summative &
Performance)
Creative Writing
Expanding vocabulary / word choice
Using vivid language
Creating and sharing original works of literature
Parts of Speech
(noun, verb, adjective, adverb)
Subject-Verb Agreement
Identifying Run-ons
Identifying Fragments
Identifying / Using active nouns
Identifying quantity
1-3 Pieces
(Constructed Response
with Summative &
Performance
Assessment)
Writing Process
Drafting / revising
Proofreading for content and grammar
Using a rubric for self-assessment
Optional Texts
 Gilgamesh
 Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
 Animal Farm by Orwell
 The Pearl by John Steinbeck
 The House on Mango Street by
Sandra Cisneros
Editing the writing of peers
Presentation
Utilize MLA Heading and Format
9th Grade Curriculum Mapping
2nd
Quarter
Content
What students must know
Skills
What students must do, relative to content
Literary Technique Paragraph
Writing about Literary Techniques using one
passage
(Theme, Figurative Language, etc.)
Introduction to Critical Lens
(Introduction & Body)
Essay Format
- Comparison/Contrast
Mini-Research Project
Creative Writing
Pronoun – Verb Agreement
Prepositional Phrases
Dependent/Independent
Clauses
Comma Rules
Creating / Using Graphic Organizers
Interpreting quotations
Identifying Literary Techniques
Writing about Literary Techniques
Analyzing writer’s theme
Selecting relevant textual examples
Incorporating/Expanding Skills of ABC Paragraph
 Developing Topic Sentence
 Incorporating Key Words / Topic Words
 Supporting ideas with examples
 Effectively using of transitions
Developing Introductions
Supporting Main Ideas
Writing an effective conclusion
Accessing Information from a variety of resources
Evaluating source of information
(primary/secondary)
Taking / Organizing Notes
Outlining information
Paraphrasing Main Ideas
Using Direct Quotations
Creating a Works Cited / Bibliography
Following MLA guidelines
Using parenthetical citation
Expanding vocabulary / word choice
Using vivid language
Creating and sharing original wrks of literature
Assessments
Resources
Novels, short stories, articles, etc.
2-3 Paragraphs
(Formative &
Summative)
Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper
(Regents only - required text)
1-2 Critical Lens
Introduction & Body
(Formative Assessment)
Optional Texts
 Bless Me, Ultima
 Shabanu
1-2 Expository Essay
(Constructed Response
with Formative &
Summative Assessment)
1 Mini- Research Project
(Formative,
Observations,
Assessment)
1-3 Pieces
(Constructed Response
with Summative &
Performance
Assessment)
9th Grade Curriculum Mapping
3rd Quarter
Content
What students must know
Skills
What students must do, relative to content
Assessments
Persuasive Essay
Establishing topic, audience, and purpose
Discriminating between facts and opinions
Formulating and supporting a controlling idea /
thesis
Establishing an appropriate tone based on audience
awareness
1-2 Expository Essay
(Constructed Response
with Formative &
Summative
Assessment)
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
(required text)
1-2 Expository Essay
(Constructed Response
with Formative &
Summative
Assessment)
Optional Texts
 A Separate Peace by John
Knowles
Critical Lens Essay
Full Research Paper
Creative Writing
Incorporating/Expanding Skills of ABC Paragraph
 Developing Topic Sentence
 Incorporating Key Words / Topic Words
 Supporting ideas with examples
 Effectively using of transitions
Developing Introductions
Using evidence from two pieces of literature
Writing about literary techniques
Supporting Main Ideas
Writing an effective conclusion
Accessing Information from a variety of resources
Evaluating source of information
(primary/secondary)
Taking / Organizing Notes
Outlining information
Paraphrasing Main Ideas
Using Direct Quotations
Creating a Works Cited / Bibliography
Following MLA guidelines
Using parenthetical citation
Evaluating poetic forms
Expanding vocabulary / word choice
Using vivid language
Creating and sharing original examples of
Figurative Language (metaphor, simile, imagery,
etc.)
Resources
Novels, short stories, articles, etc.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
(Honors only – required text)
Various Poetry from Text (required)
Research Project
(Constructed Response
with Formative &
Summative
Assessment)
1-3 Pieces
(Constructed Response
with Summative &
Performance
Assessment)
9th Grade Curriculum Mapping
4th Quarter
Content
What students must know
Skills
What students must do, relative to content
Assessments
Resources
Novels, short stories, articles, etc.
Critical Lens
Incorporating/Expanding Skills of ABC Paragraph
 Developing Topic Sentence
 Incorporating Key Words / Topic Words
 Supporting ideas with examples
 Effectively using of transitions
Developing Introductions
Using evidence from two pieces of literature
Writing about literary techniques
Supporting Main Ideas
Writing an effective conclusion
1 Expository Essay
(Constructed Response
with Formative &
Summative
Assessment)
(See optional lists from previous quarters)
Literary Technique Paragraph
Writing about Literary Techniques using two
passages
(Theme, Figurative Language, etc.)
Creative Writing
Expanding vocabulary / word choice
Using vivid language
Creating and sharing original works of literature
2-3 Paragraphs
(Formative &
Summative)
1-3 Pieces
(Constructed Response
with Summative &
Performance
Assessment)