INSTRUCTIONAL UNIT PLANNING TOOL
Grade/Subject – 7th Grade ELA (Handling Conflict)
Quarter – 1st (suggested)
Unit Overview – A close look at conflict in life; how it was handled and
how to handle it. This unit presents opportunities for narrative and
argumentative writing, as well as informational and fiction readings.
Focus Standards –
Rl1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what
the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RL3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g.,
how setting shapes the characters or plot).
RI1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what
the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
W1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant
evidence. (A-E)
W3e Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated
experiences or events.
Essential Question – How do you handle conflict in your life? What is
survival worth?
Student Outcomes – (“I Can”) –
I can identify internal and external conflicts.
I can predict how a conflict will lead to a resolution.
I can synthesize a resolution to a conflict using the evidence from the
text. (Use for narrative writing, inferences, or arguments)
Instructional Texts –
Short Stories - “Zebra” by Chaim Potok, Textbook pg. 190-211
“The War of the Wall” by Toni Cade Bambara, Textbook pg. 338347
“Charles” Textbook pg. 258-262
Poetry - “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley LINK
“There will Come Soft Rains” by Sara Teasdale, Textbook LINK
“Charge of the Light Brigade” Textbook pg. 582
Nonfiction - “A Wall of Remembrance” Textbook pg. 216-219
“A Mother’s Words” Textbook pg. 220-221
“Unbroken” (excerpts from the text)
Sample Activities and Assessments Sample Activities and Assessments –
Informative Interactive Online Vietnam Resource (pair with “The War of
the Wall” and “Zebra”) LINK
Interview A Soldier – create a variety of questions for a soldier that has
been to battle (any war)
Art, Music, Media –
Songs - “When September Ends” by Green Day LINK
“Sound of silence” by Simon & Garfunkel LINK
“Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum LINK
Media – “Unbroken” (clips from movie)
“Forrest Gump” (clips from movie)
“What John Mccain Went Through a POW” LINK
“The Things They Carried: 20 Years on” (Interview) LINK
Stations – each group close reads visual and textual documents. These
could be presented in the songs and media listed, as well as the
following visuals:
Create a graffiti wall: artwork to represent their opinion of war
Writing Prompts
“How would you feel if you had to fight for something you didn’t
believe in?” (reflective essay to pair with “The War of the Wall”
or
“Zebra”)
Compare and Contrast viewpoints of war.
Assessment
Argumentative essay – “Should we have gone in to Vietnam war
or not? State your claim with sufficient evidence from the text, “Zebra“
or “The War of the Wall.”