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Lesson 12

We will write a multiparagraph expository piece about what it means to be an American.

Lesson Goals

Reading and Knowledge

  • Analyze Relationships: How well do I determine the central idea or ideas in a text? How well do I analyze how the details and the development of ideas contribute to my understanding of being an American as discussed in the text?
  • Compare and Connect: How well do I relate an independently read text to the unit topic, question, and previously read texts?
  • Gather and Organize Evidence: How well do I organize, cite, and integrate evidence to develop a multiparagraph expository piece of writing?

Writing

  • Summarize: How well do I write an expository paragraph that conveys information clearly and accurately?
  • Form Claims: How well do I form and articulate a claim about what it means to be an American that emerges from the reading and analysis of the text?

Texts

Core

  • Unit Reader
    • “Address to the Nation on the September 11 Attacks,” George W. Bush, Public Domain, 2001
    • “President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address,” 2009, Barack Obama, Public Domain, 2009
    • “The Great Society,” Lyndon B. Johnson, Public Domain, 1964

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Write

We will read and analyze a new text for the Section Diagnostic.

Step 1

You have been reading, discussing, and thinking about what it means to be an American. In this Section Diagnostic, you will continue to discover and explain what it means to be an American.

Review the Section 1 Diagnostic Checklist. Ask clarifying questions as needed.

Step 2

Read “The Great Society” by former president Lyndon B. Johnson, “Address to the Nation on the September 11 Attacks”by former president George W. Bush, or former president Barack Obama’s second inaugural address.

Complete the Attending to Details Tool for the following guiding question:

  1. How does the text describe what it means to be an American?

Activity 2: Write

We will write the Section Diagnostic.

Write a multiparagraph response to the following questions:

  1. What does it mean to be American?

  2. How has the notion of being an American changed over time?

In your response, use details from a variety of sources, including one of the presidential speeches you have read, to support your answer.

Use a significant word or words from your Vocabulary Journal in your response.

Activity 3: Write

We will assess how prepared we are for the Culminating Task.

Take out your Culminating Task Progress Tracker. Think about all you have learned and done during this unit. Evaluate your skills and knowledge.

Respond to the following questions:

  1. How prepared are you to succeed on the Culminating Task?

  2. What do you need to know and learn to do to succeed?