Education Assignment 3.2 REA

2

3-Day Content Area Literacy Thematic Unit

Planning Guide

Content Area/Subject: Social Studies

Grade Level: 5th Grade

What is the specific theme/topic for this content area unit?

The specific theme/topic for this content area unit that I would like to address is the civil rights movement in the United States. More specifically, I would like to focus on Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and the role it played in the civil rights movement. This unit will provide students with an opportunity to understand civil rights struggles in the United States, the power of nonviolent protest, and the importance of standing up for what one believes in. Students will learn about the historical context of the civil rights movement, the culture of the time, and the effects of the movement both in the short-term and long-term. Students will also be able to gain an understanding of the importance of civil rights and its implications for their lives today. Through the study of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, students will be able to explore the idea of civil disobedience and its role in social change. Ultimately, this unit will provide students with a deeper understanding of the civil rights movement, the power of nonviolent protest, and the importance of standing up for what one believes in.

What is the essential question for the unit (real-world connection)?

The essential question for this unit is, “How did Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” help to shape and advance the civil rights movement?” This essential question encourages students to explore the civil rights movement in the United States and to think about their own experiences in relation to the ideas expressed in the letter. Through this question, students will be able to understand why and how Martin Luther King Jr. wrote the letter, the impact it had on the civil rights movement, and the importance of standing up for what one believes in. By introducing the essential question and tying it to the real-world experiences of the students, they will be able to draw connections between the movement and their own lives. Through the exploration of this essential question, students will gain an understanding of the power of nonviolent protest and the importance of standing up for what one believes in.

Content Area Standards selected for this unit: (please indicate source)

1. H.5.7: Describe the impact of significant historical figures and events. Source: Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards. https://mdek12.org/OAE/college-and-career-readiness-standards.

Literacy [ELA] Standards selected for this unit: (indicate source if not MS CCRS)

You need to list 2 standards for each category. They must be ones you could potentially use in your Final Project.

Reading Literature (RL)

· RL.5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

· RL.5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.

Reading Information (RI)

· RI.5.2 Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

· RI.5.3 Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.

Writing (W)

· W.5.1b Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.

· W.5.2a Introduce a topic clearly, provide a general observation and focus, and group related information logically; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

· SL.5.1a Come to discussions prepared having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.

· SL.5.1b Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.

Language

· L.5.3a Expand, combine, and reduce sentences for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style.

· L.5.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships (e.g., however, although, nevertheless, similarly, moreover, in addition).

Text Set: List each item’s title/author etc., using correct APA format. Identify the genre. Explain your rationale for choosing each item.

· Text #1: Regan, J. W. (2015). Great Books Written in Prison: Essays on Classic Works from Plato to Martin Luther King, Jr. In Google Books. McFarland. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=w4T2BgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA230&dq=Martin+Luther+King+Jr.%E2%80%99s+%E2%80%9CLetter+from+Birmingham+Jail&ots=jDqR1s299R&sig=mcd5Li7MO2Q5qJA_rvwC1w_SEOY

· Genre: Nonfiction (Informational)

· Rationale: I selected the book Great Books Written in Prison: Essays on Classic Works from Plato to Martin Luther King, Jr. by J. W. Regan as a resource for my unit because it provides an in-depth analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and its significance in the civil rights movement. By using this resource, students will be able to gain a better understanding of the letter and its impact on the movement. Additionally, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the civil rights movement, the culture of the time, and the effects of the movement both in the short-term and long-term. This resource will be a valuable addition to my unit as it will provide students with a deeper understanding of the letter and its place in history..

· Text #2: Ashurst, J. (2018). Letter from a Birmingham Jail - Martin Luther King Jr. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATPSht6318o

· Genre: Media item (audio, animation, video, etc):

· Rationale: I selected the YouTube video of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” as it provides students with an opportunity to explore the ideas expressed in the letter firsthand. The video will add value to the unit by allowing students to understand the civil rights struggle in the United States and the role that nonviolent protest played in the movement. Additionally, this video will provide students with an opportunity to gain an understanding of the power of words and the importance of standing up for what one believes in. The video provides students with a visual and auditory representation of the letter, which will help them to better comprehend its content. By listening to and watching Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, students will gain a better understanding of the civil rights movement and the power of nonviolent protest.

References

Ashurst, J. (2018). Letter from a Birmingham Jail - Martin Luther King Jr. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATPSht6318o

Readiness standards - districtaccess.mde.k12.ms.us. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://districtaccess.mde.k12.ms.us/curriculumandInstruction/MississippiCurriculumFrameworks/ELA/2016-MS-CCRS-ELA.pdf

Regan, J. W. (2015). Great Books Written in Prison: Essays on Classic Works from Plato to Martin Luther King, Jr. In Google Books. McFarland. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=w4T2BgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA230&dq=Martin+Luther+King+Jr.%E2%80%99s+%E2%80%9CLetter+from+Birmingham+Jail&ots=jDqR1s299R&sig=mcd5Li7MO2Q5qJA_rvwC1w_SEOY