Developing Core Literacy Proficiencies, Grade 9

The Developing Core Literacy Proficiencies program is an integrated set of English Language Arts/Literacy units spanning grades 6-12 that provide student-centered instruction on a set of literacy proficiencies at the heart of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Reading Closely for Textual Details Making Evidence-Based Claims Making Evidence-Based Claims about Literary Technique (Grades 9-12) Researching to Deepen Understanding Building Evidence-Based Arguments The program approaches literacy through the development of knowledge, literacy skills, and academic habits. Throughout the activities, students develop their literacy along these three paths in an integrated, engaging, and empowering way. Knowledge: The texts and topics students encounter in the program have been carefully selected to expose them to rich and varied ideas and perspectives of cultural significance. These texts not only equip students with key ideas for participating knowledgeably in the important discussions of our time, but also contain the complexity of expression necessary for developing college- and career-ready literacy skills. Literacy Skills: The program articulates and targets instruction and assessment on twenty CCSS-aligned literacy skills ranging from “making inferences” to “reflecting critically.” Students focus on this set of twenty skills throughout the year and program, continually applying them in new and more sophisticated ways. Academic Habits: The program articulates twelve academic habits for students to develop, apply, and extend as they progress through the sequence of instruction. Instructional notes allow teachers to introduce and discuss academic habits such as “preparing” and “completing tasks” that are essential to students’ success in the classroom. The program materials include a comprehensive set of instructional sequences, teacher notes, handouts, assessments, rubrics, and graphic organizers designed to support students with a diversity of educational experiences and needs. The integrated assessment system, centered around the literacy skills and academic habits, allows for the coherent evaluation of student literacy development over the course of the year and vertically across all grade levels.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments v Introduction to the Core Literacy Proficiencies: Becoming a Literate Person ix Unit 1: Reading Closely for Textual Details: “Education is the new currency” 1 Goal 2 Topic 2 Activities 2 Reading Closely Unit Texts 5 Text 1 Classroom Pictures 7 Text 2 The Story of My Life 8 Helen Keller Text 3 Changing Paradigms 10 Ken Robinson Text 4 Only a Teacher 10 PBS Text 5 “Kids Need Structure” 11 Colin Powell Text 6 Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook 14 Maria Montessori Text 7 Good Citizenship: The Purpose of Education 16 Eleanor Roosevelt Text 8 Notes on the State of Virginia 20 Thomas Jefferson Text 9 “The Vision of Education Reform in the United States” 22 Secretary Arne Duncan Reading Closely for Textual Details Literacy Toolbox 31 Unit 2: Making Evidence-Based Claims: “The unexamined life is not worth living” 73 Goal 74 Topic 74 Activities 74 Making Evidence-Based Claims Unit Text: Apology, Plato 77 Making Evidence-Based Claims Literacy Toolbox 87 Unit 3: Making Evidence-Based Claims about Literary Technique: “Macomber laughed, a very natural hearty laugh.” 129 Goal 130 Topic 130 Activities 130 Making Evidence-Based Claims About Literary Technique Literacy Toolbox 133 Unit 4: Researching to Deepen Understanding: Music: What Role Does It Play in Our Lives? 175 Goal 176 Topic 176 Activities 176 Terms and Definitions Used in This Unit 176 Researching to Deepen Understanding Common Source Set 181 Researching to Deepen Understanding Literacy Toolbox 186 Unit 5: Building Evidence-Based Arguments: “What is the Virtue of a Proportional Response?” 253 Goal 254 Topic 254 Activities 254 Building Evidence-Based Arguments Unit Text 257 Building Evidence-Based Arguments Literacy Toolbox 259

About the Author :
ODELL EDUCATION (OE) is dedicated to fostering creativity and critical thinking in students and the education community. OE has developed nationally validated and acclaimed literacy curricula and collaborates with schools, states and organizations on assessment design, curriculum development, and teacher training.