Unit Title:
Unit 4– Biography and Autobiography
Duration
4 Weeks
7th Grade
Big Ideas:
 Effective Readers use strategies before, during and after reading to construct and extend meaning
 Effective Writers understand that writing is process.
 Effective Readers understand that all parts of writing work together to create meaning.
 Effective Readers understand that a writer’s purpose affects the overall meaning.
 Effective Writers understand that the rules of grammar help support the clarity of ideas in writing.
Essential Questions:
 What are the purpose of an autobiographies and biographies?
 What are the strengths and weaknesses of an autobiography and a biography?
Learning Objectives- Students will be able to Identify the key academic terms of unit by providing a written definition.
 Define the grammatical term “clause” by providing a written definition
 Compare and Contrast autobiography and biography by creating a Venn Diagram graphic organizer.
 Analyze how biographies use sources to create meaning and cohesion by reading examples of biographies.
 Analyze how autobiographies use memories and thoughts to create meaning and cohesion by reading examples of
autobiographies
 Analyze how an author uses structure in a text by examining how the text is organized.
 Analyze how individuals, events and ideas interact within a text by reading autobiographies and biographies
 Create biographies by interviewing peers and answering

Revise Sentences and Grammar by corrected grammar and mechanics in writing using Grammar in Context.
PACCSS:
1.2 Reading Informational Text- Students read, understand, and respond to informational text—with an emphasis on
comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and making connections among ideas and between texts with focus on
textual evidence.
CC.1.2.7.B
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly, as well as inferences, conclusions,
and/or generalizations drawn from the text.
CC.1.2.7.C
Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text.
CC.1.2.7.E
Analyze the structure of the text through evaluation of the author’s use of graphics, charts. and the major sections of the text.
1.4 Writing
Students write for different purposes and audiences. Students write clear and focused text to convey a well defined
perspective and appropriate content.
CC.1.4.7.D
Organize ideas, concepts, and information using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and
cause/effect; use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts; provide a
concluding statement or section; include formatting when useful to aiding comprehension.
1.5 Speaking and Listening
Students present appropriately in formal speaking situations, listen critically, and respond intelligently as
individuals or in group discussions
CC.1.5.7.A
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions, on grade-level topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and
expressing their own clearly.
CC.1.5.7.D
Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts,
details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
Learning Strategies:
 Mini-Lessons: Teacher will introduce, model, explain, and/or review strategies that align with the day’s
objectives. Mini Lessons should also include anticipatory sets (Warm Up and Closing)
 Guided or Independent Student Practice: Students will practice the modeled strategies that align with the
day’s objective. The activities could include:
o Peer Editing for outlines for short essays
o Peer Editing for short essays
o Peer Work for Autobiographies and Biographies
o Group work for vocabulary acquisition and usage
o Group or Peer work for Grammar in Context Activities
o Independent work for outlines
o Independent work short essays
o Independent work for quizzes
o Independent work for tests
o Independent oral presentation of Autobiographies
o Independent completion of biography
 Reflection –Whole class will regroup and review the lesson objectives and allow teacher to address concepts
that students still need to work on. Activities could include:
o Lesson Review (Whole Class Activity)
o Quick Write- What did students understand? What didn’t they understand?
o Open Ended Questions
o Sentence Stems
Academic Vocabulary:
Demonstrate
Goal
Impact
Link
Undertake
Error
Implement
Series
Summary
Version
Formative Assessments:
 Completed Outlines (See Outline Rubric, Appendix E)
 Short Essays (See Writing Scoring Rubric, Appendix A)
 Accurate Completion of Grammar in Context Worksheet
 Accurate Completion of Worksheets and Activities found in online (See Suggested Materials)


Summative Assessments:
 “End of Unit” Tests ( See Suggested Materials)
 “ End of Reading” Tests (See Suggested Materials)
 Mini Autobiographies Oral Presentations (See Appendix
 Biographies (See Writing Scoring Rubric, Appendix A)
Essential Materials Needed:
PA Writing Rubric (Appendix 4)
Holt McDougal Literature Book, 7th Grade Edition
Outline Rubric
Suggested Materials And Readings:
Holt McDougal Literature Book, 7th Grade-Unit 7- Biography and Autobiography “Text Analysis Workshop” (pages 778-783)
- “Unit Introduction” Worksheets
o Note Taking Part 1 (found online at my.hrw.com)
o Note Taking Part 2 (found online at my.hrw.com)
Holt McDougal Literature Book, 7th Grade- Unit 7- Biography and Autobiography - “Eleanor Roosevelt” (pages 784-799)
o Text Analysis: Biography
o Reading Skill: Identify Chronological Order
o Vocabulary Study
o Vocabulary Practice
o Vocabulary Strategy
o Grammar in Context
o Selection Tests A, B/C
Holt McDougal Literature Book, 7th Grade- Unit 7- Biography and Autobiography - “Names/Nombre” (pages 804-813)
o Text Analysis: Personal Essay
o Reading Strategy: Connect
o Vocabulary Study
o Vocabulary Practice
o Vocabulary Strategy
o Reading Check
o Grammar in Context
o Selection Tests A, B/C
o
Holt McDougal Literature Book, 7th Grade-Unit 7- Biography and Autobiography- “Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary” (pages
826-831)
o Text Analysis: Identifying Genre Feature
o Selection Tests A, B/C
o
Holt McDougal Literature Book, 7th Grade-Unit 7- Biography and Autobiography- “Writing Workshop” (pages 880-891)
o Planning/Prewriting
o Revising and Editing 1
o Revising and Edition 2
o Ask a Peer Reader
o Speaking and Listening: Conducting an Interview
Websites:
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