Grade: 11

Content Area: ELA

Course Name: American Literature

Unit: Modernism/Post-Modernism, Pop Culture, and the American Dream

Description of Unit: During this unit students will…

define the modern and postmodern periods of American literature by analyzing how authors defined the American dream based on the pop culture that surrounded their experiences. During these periods, the definition of the American dream was refined as values changed over time, and in this unit students will be able to explain those changes in relation to the literature that represents these time periods.

Approximate Time Needed: 4 weeks based on 50-minute classes

Learning Targets

Assessments

Instructional Considerations

Instructional Approach

Resources

1.1 I can…

Analyze and explain how ideas and/or events work together and change throughout a text to make meaning. (4.10.10, 5.10.10, 5.3.3)

1.2 I can…

Summarize an author’s point of view , reasoning, audience, and evidence, analyze how style and content contribute to those aspects, and evaluate the effectiveness of the piece. (5.6.6, 9.3.3)

1.3 I can…

Organize and justify a clear perspective that demonstrates ethical use of strong supporting evidence in a well-presented argument. (9.4.4)

1.4 I can…

Recognize and explain examples of how language functions in different contexts, demonstrate effective choices regarding language, and adapt language for purpose and audience needs. (9.6.6, 11.3.3, 5.6.6)

1.5 I can…

Define unfamiliar words and explain the strategy used to determine the appropriate meaning. (11.4.4)

1.6 I can…

Choose appropriate digital tools that allow feedback to present an argument with strong supporting evidence. (CI, CPD)

Pre-Assessments:

Online quiz including definitions, vocab development strategies, and content info (most-all standards)

Formative Assessments:

Read self-selected pieces of fiction and nonfiction and respond with personal reactions and a dictionary of new words in a blog. (4.10.10, 5.10.10, 11.4.4)

Create soundtrack for a piece of literature and write a reflection about how the music conveys themes, style, content, and purpose of the American dream in the literature. (4.10.10, 5.3.3, 5.6.6

Write a personal narrative that defines your American Dream and then create a Venn diagram to compare your point-of-view with those presented in a nonfiction piece. (5.10.10, 5.3.3, 5.6.6, 11.3.3)

Evaluate web sites for credibility assignment. (9.3.3, CPD)

Develop a [collaborative or interactive] timeline of significant authors, works, and movements during this period. (CI, 5.10.10, 4.10.10, 11.3.3)

Benchmark Assessment:

Research & presentation project: using an aspect (film/TV, music, products/advertising, entertainment, dress, etc.) of pop culture, analyze how that aspect affects the characters and conflicts in a self-selected novel and create a definition of the American dream based on that analysis (9.4.4, CI, CPD, 9.6.6)

Student Background Knowledge:

chronological study of American literature from Colonialism until the 1930s

Essential Questions:

What are the skills needed to read and understand increasingly difficult fiction and nonfiction texts? (11.4.10.10; 11.5.10.10)

How do ideas and/or events work together and change throughout a text to create meaning? (11.5.3.3)

How do style and content contribute to the effectiveness of an argument and help the reader determine purpose and/or point-of-view in a text? (11.5.6.6)

What skills does a speaker need to create a meaningful and effectively delivered message? (11.9.3.3)

What skills are needed to create an effective debate using ethical research and supporting evidence? (11.9.4.4)

What is the importance of knowing formal English and how does a speaker adapt that to a variety of audiences and purposes? (11.9.6.6)

How does language change depending on context, style, and purpose and why does this matter? (11.11.3.3)

What strategies can a reader use to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words? (11.11.4.4)

What is the value of a digital community to a writer’s collaborative work? (Communication and Collaboration--CC)

How can digital tools help a person use critical thinking skills to solve problems and make informed decisions? (Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making--CPD)

Academic Language:

Evaluate, argue, analyze, context, evidence, interpret, adapt, summarize, demonstrate, explain, organize, justify

Content Specific Language:

point of view, purpose, theme, style, formal English, pop culture, modernism, post-modernism, American dream, Beat generation

Lesson Plan (Link to lesson plans for unit) Template

Cross-Content Integration:

Looking at pop culture can link this unit to Social Studies topics as well as music & art studies.

Analyzing & evaluating texts could be linked with the idea of making hypothesis in science.

Web Resources:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americannovel/timeline/

Research:

Technology Resources:

Community Resources:

various theaters that re-interpret modernism & post-modernism literature every time they perform it