Childhood Unit Introduction

Should competition be a
part of everyone’s life?

Turn and talk: state your opinion, and explain

why you believe the way you do.

What are the challenges

and triumphs of growing up?

Challenge- a difficult task or problem (noun)

Triumph-a great victory or achievement (noun)

Challenges:

Triumphs:

Brainstorm your list of challenges and triumphs to growing up.
Create a T-chart in your reading section of your notebook.
Challenge yourself! Try to come up with 5 for each side!

5

Childhood - Unit Goals

Essential Question: What are some of the challenges and

triumphs of growing up?

Reading Goal

Writing Goal

How to Clarify and

Explore ideas

Elements of

Nonfiction Writing

Understand How

Writer’s Express Ideas

Read and Evaluate

Nonfiction Narratives

Vary sentence

patterns for reader

interest

Write a

nonfiction
personal
narrative

Expand knowledge
of academic &
concept vocabulary

Close Read to
analyze how

Authors present

ideas.

Explore a topic to
clarify meaning

6

Childhood - Unit Goals

Essential Question: What are some of the challenges and

triumphs of growing up?

Language Goal

Speaking Goal

Listen Actively to Peers’ Ideas
Work Collaboratively

with Peers

Understand Different

Types of Nouns

Practice Correct Usage

of Nouns

Ask Clarifying

Questions
Share Your Ideas

Identify Common,
Proper, and
Possessive Nouns

Use Nouns in your

own Writing

Build your

understanding
based on other’s

ideas

Unit Goals

Turn to page 4 in your Perspectives
book.

Review the unit goals.

Rate yourself on how well you are able
to meet these goals right now.

Rating scale:

1 = not at all well

5 = extremely well

Academic vocabulary- page 5

Word

Mentor sentence

Predict meaning

Related word

reflect
root:
-flect
“bend”

1.Nathan needs time to reflect on his actions before he
apologizes.

2.Sometimes it is better to stop and reflect on your
thoughts before expressing your opinion.

reflection, reflective

notable
root:
-not-
“mark”

1.The museum features the famous paintings of many
notable artists.

2.The politician’s win in her district was a notable
success in her campaign for governor.

contribution
root:
-trib-
“pay” “give”

1.You can contribute to the discussion by voicing your
thoughts on the subject.

2.John was asked to contribute a short story to the
literary magazine, to be published in the next issue.

recognize
root:
-cogn-
“know”

1.Shay and Brooke did not recognize their cousin
because he had grown so much since they last saw
him.

2.We recognize our veterans by honoring them with a
parade.

memorize
root:
-mem-
“mind”

1.It is difficult to memorize all of the different grammar
rules for a foreign language.

2.The actors must memorize their lines before the
opening night of the play.

Academic vocabulary- page 5

Word

Mentor sentence

Predict meaning

Related word

reflect
root:
-flect
“bend”

1.Nathan needs time to reflect on his actions before he
apologizes.

2.Sometimes it is better to stop and reflect on your
thoughts before expressing your opinion.

to think carefully about

reflection, reflective

notable
root:
-not-
“mark”

1.The museum features the famous paintings of many
notable artists.

2.The politician’s win in her district was a notable
success in her campaign for governor.

important, worthy of notice

notably

contribute
root:
-trib-
“pay” “give”

1.You can contribute to the discussion by voicing your
thoughts on the subject.

2.John was asked to contribute a short story to the
literary magazine, to be published in the next issue.

to give; to write for a
publication

Contribution,
contributor

recognize
root:
-cogn-
“know”

1.Shay and Brooke did not recognize their cousin
because he had grown so much since they last saw him.

2.We recognize our veterans by honoring them with a
parade.

to acknowledge or be aware
of someone

Recognition,
recognizable

memorize
root:
-mem-
“mind”

1.It is difficult to memorize all of the different grammar
rules for a foreign language.

2.The actors must memorize their lines before the
opening night of the play.

to learn by heart

memorizing,
memorized

Read this nonfiction narrative. (p 6-7)
Annotate words and phrases that make the story

realistic and memorable.

After reading “Wagon Train at Dusk”, complete the wordweb
with CHILDHOOD at the center. (page 7) How many words
related to childhood do you think you can add?

childhood

Tips for writing a summary:

● Write in the present tense.
● Make sure to include the title of the work.
● Be concise; a summary should not be equal in length to the

original text.

● If you need to quote the words of the author, use quotation

marks.

● Be objective! Don’t put your own opinions, ideas, or

interpretations into the summary. The purpose of writing a
summary is to accurately represent what the author says, not
provide a critique.

Skill

4 Advanced

3 Proficient

2 Developing

1 Not Yet

Topic sentence

The summary
begins with a clear topic
sentence that states the main
idea of the selection.

Title and author of text are
included.

The summary
begins with a topic sentence
that states the main idea of
the selection.

The topic sentence
may not state the
main idea clearly or
the main idea may not
appear at the beginning of
the summary.

The summary does not state
the main idea of the
selection.

Evidence

Four important ideas are
included which build on the
article’s main idea. At least
one idea is supported with a
specific detail from the text.

Three important ideas are
included.

Two main ideas are included.

One idea is included.

Idea Development

Details are in logical order,
proceeding from most
important.

Ideas are in logical order.

Ideas are in random order
and not logical.

Summary two sentences or
fewer.

Paraphrasing

Paraphrases information
using own words.

Paraphrases information
using own words. Uses some
phrases and sentences from
the text.

Substantial copying of key
phrases and minimal
paraphrasing.

Substantial copying of
selected phrases or
sentences.

Standard English
Conventions/ Style

No errors exist in spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
capitalization.

Is objective: no use of “I” or
biased language (“it’s a great
article” etc.)

1-2 errors exist in spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
capitalization.

3-4 errors exist in spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
capitalization.

5+ errors exist in spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
capitalization.

Write a summary of “Wagon Train at Dusk.” p 8

Quick Write: Consider class discussions, the video, and the Launch Text
(Wagon Train at Dusk) as you think about the prompt. p 9
Prompt: When did a challenge lead to a triumph?