Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Huckleberry Finn Name: Zachary Peterson

Content Area: ELA Grade Level: 11
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL 11-12.4
• Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of
specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or
beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.) (See grade 11–12 Language standards 4–6 for additional expectations.) CA
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL 11-12.5
• Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text (e.g., the choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice
to provide a comedic or tragic resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W 11-12.9
• Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, ui a reflection, and research. Apply grades 11–12 Reading standards to
literature (e.g., “Demonstrate knowledge of eighteenth-, nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century foundational works of American literature,
including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics”).
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L 11-12.1
• Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Apply the understanding that
usage is a matter of convention, can change over time, and is sometimes contested

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

What is freedom, and why is it important to our shared cultural background

What constitutes a family unit
How does culture affect our ethical beliefs
What is the value of telling a story in-voice vs with correct grammar

Students will use online resources to map out the journey that Huck and Jim take along the river so as to better understand the distance and journey they are
attempting to cover.
Students will be broken into groups and given a chunk of the book to create a group presentation using either Power Point or Prezi to show how one of the major
themes of the novel is expressed in a certain section.
Students will use word processors to complete a cumulative essay on one or more themes detailed to the left.

Unit Summary:
This Unit will focus on the study of Huckleberry Finn focusing on the understanding of the major themes of friendship, family, and freedom as they relate to
Huck’s adventure along the Mississippi and how they affect his journey. Students will read the book while we discuss major themes and scenes in class. Due to
the content and heavy language found in the novel it is important to have a frank discussion of the nature of words and the power they hold, as well as the
observation of how this power is used. The major goal of this unit is to take a look at the idea of the American spirit as it has changed and to observe the
American will.
Students will read the novel and have in class discussions on the major themes, and will complete assignments such as journals, quick writes, and basic quizzes
in preparation for a final exam to ensure that they have learned both the major information and events within the novel as well as an essay testing their
understanding of the themes.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level: Formative: Summative:
Journaling activity: Students will write a letter or two as a character
Survey: meant to test prior knowledge of students with within the fiction to test their knowledge of both the characterand Essay: Students will write a
current subject matter and to test whether or not the dialect they are working with. 700-1000 word essay on one
theclass is prepared to handle subject matter within. Quiz: Basic quizzes will be given periodically to ensure thatstudents of the given themes discussed
are keeping up with the reading and understandthe major events in class focusing on family,
taking place within the novel. freedom, or friendship.
Presentation: Large groups will give short Power Point or other Exam: Final cumulative
Prezistyle presentations detailing major events and themes within wherein students identify
the novel and how these impact the characters, accompanied by a passages within the text, who
discussion with their classmates. said them, and why these
Jeopardy: Gameshow style quiz testing class wide knowledge of passages are significant to the
subject matter. Class will be broken into teams and compete for novel as well as answering
highest scores short essay questions to show
that they have read and
understood the text.
Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)
Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence Lesson Activities:
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W 11- (Assessments): Note taking and short quiz assignment
12.9 Students will complete a
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL 11- Know-Want-Learned
12.4 activity handout

Lesson 2 (Webercise/ iPad Lesson)

Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:

Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)

Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L 11-12.1 Completed timeline as per
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W 11- the instructions given In this assignment we will explore the motivations for
12.9 within the rubric Huck’s decision to help Jim in the
novel Huckleberry Finn, from the start of the novel until the moment in which he rips up
hisletter to Miss Watson. To do this we will create a simple timeline of events in which you will
find brief excerpts in the novel which shape Huck’s opinions on Family, Friends,
Society, orFreedom

Unit Resources:
Lesson 1 Lecture:
Prezi/Webpage http://petersontwain.weebly.com/lesson-1-teacher-lecture.html

Lesson 2 Webercise:

Lesson 3 Timeline Chart:

Webpage: http://petersontwain.weebly.com/lesson-3-graphic-organizer.html

Useful Websites:
https://classicsreadinggroup.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/huckleberry-finn-discussion-questions/ - Essay Prompts and discussion ideas
http://www.gradesaver.com/the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn/study-guide/essay-questions - More essay prompts and discussion ideas

https://ateacherswrites.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/a-letter-to-students-before-reading-huckleberry-finn/ - Interesting things to think about while reading the novel

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76?msg=welcome_stranger – The novel in digital format