LESSONS

Fiction

Late Middle Ages

UNIT 2: GRIT LESSON 1: LEARNING GRIT FROM LITERATURE SUMMARY: The Prohuman Grade 7 curriculum is aligned to two sets of standards: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Character and Social Emotional Development (CSED) National Guidelines. The full collection of units introduces all nine of the prohuman character strengths: optimism, grit, gratitude, curiosity, courage, compassion, fairness, understanding, and humanity. In Unit 2, Lesson 1, “Learning Grit from Literature,” students will learn examples of grit from a classic work of young adult literature, The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman. Students will develop their critical thinking and writing skills by answering questions about the text. Additionally, students will develop their academic dialogue skills by sharing their thoughts about the book with classmates. SUGGESTED TIME: 1 class period to introduce the text; 1 class period to discuss the text; if desired, additional class periods can be devoted to in-class silent reading of the text The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman has 17 chapters, and an author’s note, for a total of 144 pages. The suggested reading assignment is 2 chapters per day for either in-class silent reading or homework. With this schedule, students will complete the book in 9 in-class reading sessions or 9 homework sessions. Students should complete the short-answer questions on the worksheet as they read the book. Allow at least 50 minutes for in-class discussion of the short-answer questions on the worksheet. RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Read a classic work of young adult literature Identify and analyze the book’s central ideas Identify and analyze the book’s genre, point of view, characters, setting, and plot Write answers to questions about the book, demonstrating understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar Engage effectively in collaborative discussions about the book REQUIRED MATERIALS: Video: The Unexpected History of Midwives by Weird History (~11 min) Book: The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman Prohuman Grade 7 Unit 2 Worksheet 1: Learning Grit from Literature ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot). CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1.A Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1.B Follow rules for collegial discussions, track progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1.C Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others' questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topic as needed. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1.D Acknowledge new information expressed by others and, when warranted, modify their own views. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Performance Character A6 Describe a role model who demonstrates a positive attitude, effort, and grit Social-Awareness A1 Experience and demonstrate empathy Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate respect for other people’s opinions and perspectives Social-Awareness A5 Practice “perspective taking” as a strategy to strengthen your acceptance of others Social-Awareness A6 Demonstrate awareness and understanding that despite differences, all people have similar needs, feelings and wants Responsible and Ethical Decision-Making A3 Write about and share a principle you want to live by that you learned from a family member, book, movie, or personal experience LESSON PROCEDURE Step 1: Explain that the novel we will be reading, The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman, takes place in medieval England. While specific years are not stated in the text, evidence from the book suggests that the novel takes place during the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century. To provide a brief history of midwifery, play the video: The Unexpected History of Midwives by Weird History (~11 min) Step 2: Have students complete the book, either through multiple in-class silent reading sessions or as homework. Students should complete the short-answer questions on the worksheet as they read the book. Step 3: Allow at least 50 minutes for in-class discussion of the short-answer questions on the worksheet. GRADE 7 UNIT 2 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING GRIT FROM LITERATURE Vocabulary Grit: I keep trying to reach my goals even when it is hard. I don’t give up. Midwife: A responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife’s own responsibility and to provide care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventative measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical care or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures. The midwife has an important task in health counseling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and the community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and childcare. A midwife may practice in any setting including the home, community, hospitals, clinics or health units. (Source: American College of Nurse Midwives) QUESTIONS TO ANSWER WHILE READING The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman: When and where does this story take place? Discuss three ways the society of this book is different from our own society. What is the point of view from which the author decided to tell this story? What are two benefits of this point of view? What are two drawbacks? Who is the protagonist or main character in this story? How is she mistreated? What are 3 types of knowledge Jane Sharp has as a midwife? What is the importance of the main character naming herself Alyce? In Chapters 8-10, how does Alyce develop her skills as a midwife? In Chapter 11, why does Alyce become discouraged? Why do you think Alyce takes an interest in Edward and tries to help him? How does Alyce’s helping the birthing woman at the inn give her the confidence to conclude, “She was not an inn girl or a nursery maid or a companion to old women. She was a midwife’s apprentice with a newborn hope of being someday a midwife herself”? How does Alyce show grit when she says to Jane Sharp: “I will try again and again. I can do what you tell me and take what you give me, and I know how to try and risk and fail and try again and not give up.” What is a principle you learned from this book about grit that you would like to live by?

History

Social Studies

Nonfiction

Post-WWII

UNIT 2: GRIT LESSON 2: LEARNING GRIT FROM A NONFICTION TEXT SUMMARY: The Prohuman Grade 7 curriculum is aligned to two sets of standards: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Character and Social Emotional Development (CSED) National Guidelines. The full collection of units introduces all nine of the prohuman character strengths: optimism, grit, gratitude, curiosity, courage, compassion, fairness, understanding, and humanity. In Unit 2, Lesson 2, “Learning Grit from a Nonfiction Text,” students will learn an example of grit from an article about Dashrath Manjhi, who single-handedly carved a 360-foot long, 30-foot wide path through a mountain in Bihar, India, to help his community reach medical care. Students will practice their reading comprehension skills by reading a nonfiction text. Additionally, students will answer questions to demonstrate reading comprehension and develop their academic writing and dialogue skills. SUGGESTED TIME: 1 class period to introduce the text; 1 class period to discuss the text Have students complete the article either as silent in-class reading or for homework and answer the worksheet questions. Allow at least 50 min of class time for a class discussion of the article. RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Read a nonfiction text and demonstrate an understanding of the main ideas Determine the author’s purpose in the text Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word grit Write answers to questions about the article, demonstrating an understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar Engage effectively in collaborative discussions about the article REQUIRED MATERIALS: Article: “Dashrath Manjhi, The ‘Mountain Man’ Who Spent 22 Years Carving A Lifesaving Road Through A Treacherous Mountain,” by Marco Margaritoff. All That’s Interesting. Published May 21, 2021. Video: Dashrath Manjhi - The Man Who Broke A Mountain Alone by Milaap (~6 min) Prohuman Grade 7 Unit 2 Worksheet 2: Learning Grit from a Nonfiction Text ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.3 Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events). CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.5 Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Performance Character A6 Describe a role model who demonstrates a positive attitude, effort, and grit Social-Awareness A1 Experience and demonstrate empathy Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate respect for other people’s opinions and perspectives Social-Awareness A5 Practice “perspective taking” as a strategy to strengthen your acceptance of others Social-Awareness A6 Demonstrate awareness and understanding that despite differences, all people have similar needs, feelings and wants Responsible and Ethical Decision-Making A3 Write about and share a principle you want to live by that you learned from a family member, book, movie, or personal experience LESSON PROCEDURE Step 1: Explain that we will be learning an example of grit from Dashrath Manjhi, a man who single-handedly carved a 360-foot long, 30-foot wide path through a mountain in Bihar, India, to help his community reach medical care. Show students the location of Bihar, India on a map. In class, play the video: Dashrath Manjhi - The Man Who Broke A Mountain Alone by Milaap (~6 min) Step 2: Have students read this article, either for in-class silent reading or as homework: “Dashrath Manjhi, The ‘Mountain Man’ Who Spent 22 Years Carving A Lifesaving Road Through A Treacherous Mountain,” by Marco Margaritoff. All That’s Interesting. Published May 21, 2021. Have students answer the worksheet questions while reading the article. Step 3: Set aside a class period and facilitate a whole-class discussion of the worksheet questions. GRADE 7 UNIT 2 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING GRIT FROM A NONFICTION TEXT Vocabulary Bihar, India - A state in eastern India. It is bounded by Nepal to the north and by the Indian states of West Bengal to the northeast and Uttar Pradesh to the west. Bihar occupied an important position in the early history of India. For centuries it was the principal seat of imperial powers and the main focus of Indian culture and civilization. The derivation of the name Bihar from the Sanskrit vihara (Buddhist monastery) reflects the prominence of such communities in the region in ancient times. Area 38,301 square miles (99,200 square km). Pop. (2011) 103,804,637. (Source: Encyclopedia Britannica) Grit - I keep trying to reach my goals even when it is hard. I don’t give up. QUESTIONS TO ANSWER WHILE READING THE ARTICLE “Dashrath Manjhi, The ‘Mountain Man’ Who Spent 22 Years Carving A Lifesaving Road Through A Treacherous Mountain,” by Marco Margaritoff. All That’s Interesting. Published May 21, 2021. How did the mountain isolate Dashrath Manjhi and his community? Why did Dashrath start carving a path through the mountain, and what year did he start? What did the community think about Dashrath’s work on carving a path through the mountain? What technique did Dashrath use to carve a path in the mountain? When Dashrath was finished, how long and wide was the road he had carved? How did Dashrath’s work help his community? What did you learn about grit from Dashrath? How can you show more grit in your life? Please allow 50 minutes of class time for both small group and all-class discussions of the worksheet questions. RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Read a nonfiction text and demonstrate understanding of the central ideas Determine the author’s purpose in the text Compose short answers to questions, demonstrating comprehension of the word grit Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates REQUIRED MATERIALS: Video: First people to climb Everest - Witness History, BBC World Service by BBC World Service (~2 min) Book: Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay by Alexandra Stewart (Author), Joe Todd-Stanton (Illustrator) Prohuman Grade 6 Unit 2 Worksheet 2: Learning Grit from a Nonfiction Text ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.3 Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes). CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1.A. Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1.C Pose and respond to specific questions with elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text, or issue under discussion. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1.D Review the key ideas expressed and demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Performance Character A6 Describe a role model who demonstrates a positive attitude, effort, and grit Performance Character B6 Present evidence to demonstrate your grit Social-Awareness A1 Experience and demonstrate empathy Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate respect for other people’s opinions and perspectives Responsible and Ethical Decision-Making A3 Write about and share a principle you want to live by that you learned from a family member, book, movie, or personal experience LESSON PROCEDURE Step 1: Ask the class what they know about Mt. Everest and write answers on the board. Explain that we will be reading a book about the first two people who climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Play the video: First people to climb Everest - Witness History, BBC World Service by BBC World Service (~2 min) Step 2: Have students read the book, either as a series of in-class reading assignments or for homework: Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay by Alexandra Stewart (Author), Joe Todd-Stanton (Illustrator). Students should complete the worksheet questions as they read the book. Step 3: Invite students to contribute to a class discussion about the worksheet questions. GRADE 6 UNIT 2 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING GRIT FROM A NONFICTION TEXT Vocabulary Grit: I keep trying to reach my goals even when it is hard. I don’t give up. Diplomacy: The practice of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals while promoting their interests and relations. QUESTIONS TO ANSWER WHILE READING Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay by Alexandra Stewart (Author), Joe Todd-Stanton (Illustrator): What is significant about Mt. Everest, and what are three facts that make climbing it difficult? How did Edmund Hillary show grit while growing up? How did Tenzing Norgay show grit while growing up? What is a sherpa and what do they do? What is a sirdar and what do they do? Why was a whole team of people needed for Ed and Tenzing to climb Mt. Everest? What were three different jobs that the support team did? What personal tragedy did Ed experience while helping the Sherpa people, and how did he show grit in continuing his work? What did Tenzing do after climbing Mt. Everest? What is one way that you can show grit in your own life? Write about and share a principle you want to live by that you learned from the lives of Edmund Hillary and/or Tenzing Norgay.

Geography

History

Social Studies

UNIT 2: GRIT LESSON 3: WRITING A NARRATIVE ABOUT GRIT SUMMARY: The Prohuman Grade 7 curriculum is aligned to two sets of standards: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Character and Social Emotional Development (CSED) National Guidelines. The full collection of units introduces all nine of the prohuman character strengths: optimism, grit, gratitude, curiosity, courage, compassion, fairness, understanding, and humanity. In Unit 2, Lesson 3, “Writing a Narrative About Grit,” students will write a narrative that portrays the grit of a character. Students will write a narrative that imaginatively engages with one of the two readings covered earlier in this unit: The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman or “Dashrath Manjhi, The ‘Mountain Man’ Who Spent 22 Years Carving A Lifesaving Road Through A Treacherous Mountain.” SUGGESTED TIME: 60 minutes of either in-class writing or a homework assignment RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Write a narrative that develops an imagined experience with effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. Demonstrate understanding of the character strength of grit. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Prohuman Grade 7 Unit 2 Worksheet 3: Writing a Narrative About Grit ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3.A Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3.B Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3.C Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3.D Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3.E Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Performance Character A6 Describe a role model who demonstrates a positive attitude, effort, and grit Social-Awareness A1 Experience and demonstrate empathy Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate respect for other people’s opinions and perspectives Social-Awareness A5 Practice “perspective taking” as a strategy to strengthen your acceptance of others Social-Awareness A6 Demonstrate awareness and understanding that despite differences, all people have similar needs, feelings and wants Responsible and Ethical Decision-Making A3 Write about and share a principle you want to live by that you learned from a family member, book, movie, or personal experience LESSON PROCEDURE Have students choose one of the following prompts to write a 2-3 page narrative that focuses on grit: Imagine you are a new midwife’s apprentice helping Alyce, the main character in the novel The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman. Write a narrative in which you create an event or series of events where you show grit. Imagine you are a volunteer helping Dashrath Manjhi carve a road through the mountains. Write a narrative in which you create an event or a series of events where you show grit. Tell students their narratives will be shared with 3 classmates for peer review. GRADE 7 UNIT 2 WORKSHEET 3: WRITING A NARRATIVE ABOUT GRIT Choose one of the following prompts to write a narrative that focuses on grit: Imagine you are a new midwife’s apprentice helping Alyce, the main character in the novel The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman. Write a narrative in which you create an event or series of events where you show grit. Imagine you are a volunteer helping Dashrath Manjhi carve a road through the mountains. Write a narrative in which you create an event or a series of events where you show grit. Your narrative will be shared with 3 classmates for peer review. Your narrative will be graded on the extent to which it does the following: Meets the length requirement of 2-3 pages. Develops real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. Engages and orients the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. Uses narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. Uses a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another. Uses precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events. Provides a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. Has clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

UNIT 2: GRIT LESSON 3: WRITING A NARRATIVE ABOUT GRIT SUMMARY: The Prohuman Grade 7 curriculum is aligned to two sets of standards: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Character and Social Emotional Development (CSED) National Guidelines. The full collection of units introduces all nine of the prohuman character strengths: optimism, grit, gratitude, curiosity, courage, compassion, fairness, understanding, and humanity. In Unit 2, Lesson 3, “Writing a Narrative About Grit,” students will write a narrative that portrays the grit of a character. Students will write a narrative that imaginatively engages with one of the two readings covered earlier in this unit: The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman or “Dashrath Manjhi, The ‘Mountain Man’ Who Spent 22 Years Carving A Lifesaving Road Through A Treacherous Mountain.” SUGGESTED TIME: 60 minutes of either in-class writing or a homework assignment RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Write a narrative that develops an imagined experience with effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. Demonstrate understanding of the character strength of grit. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Prohuman Grade 7 Unit 2 Worksheet 3: Writing a Narrative About Grit ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3.A Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3.B Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3.C Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3.D Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3.E Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Performance Character A6 Describe a role model who demonstrates a positive attitude, effort, and grit Social-Awareness A1 Experience and demonstrate empathy Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate respect for other people’s opinions and perspectives Social-Awareness A5 Practice “perspective taking” as a strategy to strengthen your acceptance of others Social-Awareness A6 Demonstrate awareness and understanding that despite differences, all people have similar needs, feelings and wants Responsible and Ethical Decision-Making A3 Write about and share a principle you want to live by that you learned from a family member, book, movie, or personal experience LESSON PROCEDURE Have students choose one of the following prompts to write a 2-3 page narrative that focuses on grit: Imagine you are a new midwife’s apprentice helping Alyce, the main character in the novel The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman. Write a narrative in which you create an event or series of events where you show grit. Imagine you are a volunteer helping Dashrath Manjhi carve a road through the mountains. Write a narrative in which you create an event or a series of events where you show grit. Tell students their narratives will be shared with 3 classmates for peer review. GRADE 7 UNIT 2 WORKSHEET 3: WRITING A NARRATIVE ABOUT GRIT Choose one of the following prompts to write a narrative that focuses on grit: Imagine you are a new midwife’s apprentice helping Alyce, the main character in the novel The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman. Write a narrative in which you create an event or series of events where you show grit. Imagine you are a volunteer helping Dashrath Manjhi carve a road through the mountains. Write a narrative in which you create an event or a series of events where you show grit. Your narrative will be shared with 3 classmates for peer review. Your narrative will be graded on the extent to which it does the following: Meets the length requirement of 2-3 pages. Develops real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. Engages and orients the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. Uses narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. Uses a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another. Uses precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events. Provides a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. Has clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. Demonstrates command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.