Sarah+M's+Thematic+Unit+Wiki

__Potential Content Focuses__:
 * October 21, 2010 Step 1 **
 * Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson, published in 2000, historical novel*
 * This particular novel surrounds the Cook family, specifically Mattie, and their efforts to make their family coffee shop prosperous. The yellow fever breaks out and sweeps across the entire town of Philadelphia. Many contract the disease, flee the city, and eventually die. Mattie quickly realizes that she must focus her attention on fighting to keep herself alive, along with her loved ones. Bravery is a dominant theme, and character transformation is evident (especially in Mattie, the protagonist).
 * The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights
 * Immigration/Migration to United States (motives/reasons behind moving)
 * impact of varying cultural groups in America, how these have created new logic/ideas

__Theme:__
 * The Movement of People and Ideas (this theme begins in February)*

As many of you know I will be student-teaching in 7th grade at Exploris Middle. This school is unlike others in that students do not necessarily have specific units, but themes are established and focused on for a month or so. The 7th grade team has already informed me that I will be teaching the theme of the movement of people and ideas. In this I am free to teach from several different perspectives, therefore I plan to teach both Language Arts and Social Studies. My 7th grade team informed me that in years past they have focused on the origins of America, along with why people have chosen to travel to and live in the U.S. This theme also includes a week long field trip to Philadelphia, PA where we will visit Independence Hall, Congress Hall, and the Liberty Bell Center. This is where I plan to incorporate the novel, Fever 1793, because of its historical ties with George Washington, along with a very appealing plot in Philadelphia.

__Revised Entry__ After talking with my CT, Arielle, today I have a better idea of my teaching situation for the spring. Exploris is set up a little differently in that I will teach 2-55 minutes sections in the morning which will be the Language Arts (or what they call TOAST) material. Then, in the afternoon students go to theme (specific social issues pertaining to society) which is 2-45 minute or 1-hour and a half section where theme is taught. I plan to teach a lesson on "Overcoming Challenges" in the morning for Language Arts, then focusing on the "Movement of People and Ideas" in the afternoon. I already know that Wednesdays are fully devoted to a semester long Literature Circle with a very specific structure. Also, Fridays are devoted to writing workshop so I plan to assigning a writing piece to the novel I wish to pursue with the class.
 * October 28, 2010 Step 2 **

__Brainstormed Ideas:__ -poster board (to draw depiction of the Cook family coffeehouse based on descriptions, mini-lesson on adjectives) -computers (there are 16 available in the classroom)
 * Materials-**

-articles on living conditions in Philly during the yellow fever epidemic -evidence (possibly images) to display disease, starvation, robbery, assualt -Class Set of the novel __Fever 1793__ by Laurie Halse Anderson
 * Resources/Texts-**

-create a list of words or expressions that were commonly used in 1793, create a dictionary for notebook, supply definitions using context clues as you read -create a fictional diary just like the journal entries which serve as chapters for the novel, assign students different social classes and occupations -draw out a scene from the novel and write a couple sentences summarizing what is occurring, maybe have this be chronological to the story -write a condolence letter to Matilda regarding the deaths of her family members -some sort of "internet scavenger hunt" to research information about historical points in the novel, as well as the author
 * Activities-**

-flip camera to create group news report, culminating project -Google Lit Trips http://www.googlelittrips.com/GoogleLit/6-8/Entries/2009/5/11_Fever_1793_by_Laurie_Halse_Anderson.html
 * Technology Applications-**

Unit Notes
 * November 4, 2010 Step 3 **

Unit Map
 * November 11, 2010 Step 4 **

Objectives for Unit

Day One Lesson Plan