Upon completion of this unit, students will be exposed to the following Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. In literacy/ reading this unit will encourage students to ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text and determine the main idea of a text while recounting the key details. Next they will explain how the details support the main idea of the texts we share. In literacy/ writing, students will write informative/ explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. As the students conduct their short research projects that build on the knowledge they have about community, they will specifically write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. Also, students will recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories. In literacy/ speaking and listening, students will engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher- led) with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. They will ask questions to check for understanding of information presented, stay on topic and link their comments to the remarks of others. Therefore, students will determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
