The document outlines the curriculum for 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts courses, featuring historical events paired with current issues. Key units include topics such as early American conflicts, colonization, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II, alongside real-world debates like the NFL name controversy and immigration. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking through mock trials, proposals for social issues, and the exploration of the impact of historical events on contemporary society.

1. ELA 2: Units at a Glance
Grade 7 Course Work
During the year students in the 7th grade ELA 2 course will study the following historical
events paired with a real-world current issue.
Unit 1: Early American Conflict
Students will study Indigenous Tribes of America and Spanish Exploration while solving
the issue of the NFL Washington Redskins name controversy. Should Dan Snyder listen
to the Native American groups and change the culturally insensitive name of the
Washington Redskins? Towards the end of the unit students will explore the Russia &
Ukraine conflict as they relate colonization of a minority group by a majority and
justifications for and against.
Unit 2: Colonization
Students will study the early colonization of America and the formation of the 13
colonies to the development of the slave trade. Concurrently, students will explore the
gentrification of downtown Brooklyn to make the Barclays Center. Can economic growth
be justified at the expense of human treatment?
Unit 3: The American Revolution
Students will study early oppression of the British on the Colonists through the ending of
the war and beginning formation of our government. Students will focus on perspective
and argument in this unit choosing whom to defend in the Boston Massacre-- the
colonists or the British. Students will participate in a mock trial of the guilty defending
the sides with which they are aligned. Students will explore polarizing trials that shake a
nation focusing on the Trayvon Martin vs. Ethan Zuckerman case.
Unit 4: Forming a Government
Students will study the formation of nation's government along with the 3 branches--
their jobs and duties. Students will study the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. During
this unit, students will choose a social issue they wish to research and offer a "call to

2. action" through a video PSA. Some social issues they may consider are -- gay marriage,
animal rights, climate change, environmental issues, and gentrification.
Unit 5: Westward Expansion & the Civil War
Students will study the westward expansion of our nation beginning in the 1800s, the
causes of the Civil War and through the Civil War. During this unit, students will study
the political, social and economic implications of growth and how it led to conflict.
Concurrently, students will study the political, social and economic implications of mining
(particularly diamond and coal mining) in Africa. Students will create a proposal to end
the inhumane treatment of miners in Africa while still maintaining the economic benefits
it offers Africa.
Grade 8 Course Work
During the year students in the 8th grade ELA 2 course will study the following historical
events paired with a real-world current issue.
Unit 1: Westward Expansion & the Civil War
Students will study the westward expansion of our nation beginning in the 1800s, the
causes of the Civil War and through the Civil War. During this unit, students will study
the political, social and economic implications of growth and how it led to conflict.
Concurrently, students will study the political, social and economic implications of mining
(particularly diamond and coal mining) in Africa. Students will create a proposal to end
the inhumane treatment of miners in Africa while still maintaining the economic benefits
it offers Africa.
Unit 2: Industrial Revolution & Immigration
Students will study the Industrial Revolution in America and how it led to big business as
well as an influx of Eastern European immigrants that formed the foundation of New
York City. While studying trends of the past, students will explore our current
immigration issue and make a proposal for President Obama on how to handle our
modern Immigration issue.
Unit 3: Progressive Movement

3. Students will study leaders of the Progressive Movement such as Jacob Riis, Jane
Addams, Web DuBois, and Elizabeth Stanton. Concurrently, students will consider the
power of an individual in a social issue and how does a person become the face of a
movement?
Unit 4: World War I
Students will study the first world war focusing on how it transformed America and the
world through the use of propaganda and the development of new warfare. As students
understand how new technology improved warfare during the Great War, students will
consider the positive and negative impacts of drone use in wars today. Students will
answer-- should drones be used in warfare today or does it dehumanize the effects of
war?
Unit 5: Between the Wars
Students will conduct a short expose on the Harlem Renaissance, the jazz era and the
Great Depression focusing on the impacts of each on New York City. Students will
consider how a nation responds to economic change. Students will conduct a mini
research project on how hip hop evolved from jazz.
Unit 6: World War II
While studying the different forms of government that contributed to the tension that
caused World War II through the atrocities of WWII such as the Holocaust and Atomic
Bombs. Students will study is human cruelty justified during times of war? Students will
explore this time period through historical fiction in book clubs.
Unit 7: Post World War II
Students will study how America has reacted to the challenges of a social word post
World War II through historical events/leaders such as the Civil Rights Movement, Martin
Luther King Jr, JFK, Lyndon Johnson, Rosa Parks and the Vietnam War. Students will
explore past racial profiling and apply it to the modern world. Students will create a PSA
on how to end racial inequality.

4. Bio
For many of you, we have already had the pleasure of teaching you last year as 6th
graders, making this year a smooth and easy transition. To the new 8th grade students,
we are ever eager to get to know you and your families.
Ms. Coyne
Ms. Coyne, a native New Yorker, joined the CGSI staff during the 2012-2013 school year
and is excited for another successful year. Prior to teaching, she spent six years in
corporate business sales. Ms. Coyne lives in Long Island City where she spends her
enjoys hiking with her dog and planning her wedding.
Mr. Perron
Mr. Perron, hailing from Boston, is returning for his 13th year at CGSI and is excited to
return to teaching ELA. Mr. Perron lives locally in Carroll Gardens. He enjoys spending his
weekends writing, playing music, practicing taekwondo, watching old movies and
spending time with his wife.