This unit is intended to support students in their development of the skills of the historian, particularly in the area of document analysis. It provides a collection of primary source documents and strategies for engaging students with these documents that will deepen and extend their skills in analyzing and interpreting written historical contributions. The unit lessons may be used as stand-alone pieces as they fit throughout a year’s curriculum or addressed as a whole unit on the historical analysis process.
Yolanda’s Genius, a Newbery Honor winner, is the story of an African-American family’s love and courage in difficult times. Yolanda is smart, tough, and big for her age. Her brother, Andrew, doesn’t talk much and has trouble reading. But Andrew can create beautiful music on his harmonica. Yolanda wonders if her brother is a musical genius. Can his talent be developed and shared with other people? One day some boys destroy the harmonica – and Andrew’s music stops. Soon Yolanda must make an important decision: whether to try to find another harmonica for Andrew, or to obey her mother
The tide never rolls in quite the same way twice. Each swelling of the waves takes with it a little bit of the earth and leaves a little bit behind on the shore. In the same way, none of us arrives in quite the same world—and none of us leaves it unchanged. In Autobiographies and Memoirs, we will explore the unique ways in which each of us experiences the world. How do we each transform it into a place that is a little bit different—and completely our own?
The Student Literature Workbook 
For grades 7-8, this unit offers students the chance to compare and contrast their own lives with those of others. The unit explores social and historical issues by studying people, historical time periods and events, and students’ own lives. Novels, short stories, poetry, art, and music will be the avenues for addressing unit goals. Students will be given numerous opportunities for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Courage: Connections and Reflections offers students the chance to compare and contrast their own lives with those of others. The unit explores social and historical issues by studying people, historical time periods and events, and students’ own lives. Novels, short stories, poetry, art, and music will be the avenues for addressing unit goals. Students will be given numerous opportunities for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Magic and adventure encompass every page of this popular children’s book series. Harry Potter has a miserable childhood living with the Dursley family. His room is a tiny closet under the stairs. But one day, mysterious letters begin arriving. Harry Potter is destined to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to study magic. In this first novel of the hit series, Harry Potter begins his studies at Hogwarts, where he will spend the next seven years of his life studying to become a wizard. He learns th