This weekly lesson plan outlines instruction for a 6th grade ELA unit on argumentative and narrative texts. Over the course of one week, students will analyze texts about pit bulls, conduct research on whether pit bulls should be pets, and write an argumentative essay on their stance. Students will learn key vocabulary, read articles on pit bulls, decide on a claim, use online tools to plan and draft their essay, provide peer feedback, and type a final draft. Some students may opt to create a visual argument using multimedia elements. The goal is for students to cite evidence, write an argument to support a claim, and use reliable sources.

1. Harlem Middle School
Weekly Lesson Plan
2014-2015
Page 1 of 4
CCGPS Standard(s):
Learning Target (s):
Vocabulary:
Teacher: Moore & Ingwersen Week of: 01-20-15
Subject: ELA Grade: 6th Unit: Collection 4 (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Topic(s): Argumentative/Narrative Texts for Reading and Writing
Novels: Esperanza Rising
RI1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RI8: Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text.
W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. A: Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons
and evidence clearly.
By the end of the week, the student will be able to:
1. Cite evidence and explain how the evidence supports the author’s claim.
2. Write an argument to support a claim.
3. Use reliable resources.
Counterargument Claim Evidence
Argument Annotate Reliable source

2. Harlem Middle School
Weekly Lesson Plan
2014-2015
Page 2 of 4
Activating Strategy (s):
Instructional Strategy (s):
Differentiation Strategy (s):
Assessment For and/or Of Learning:
1. Video clips (News)
2. Statistics on pit bulls
Performance Assessment Workbook- argumentative essay(s)
- Small group read aloud
- Graphic Organizers: Evidence GO, Argumentative Essay Format/Layout GO, Revisions Checklist: Peer Review GO
- Learning stations (SEMS Cards)
Graphic Organizers
Argumentative Essay

3. Harlem Middle School
Weekly Lesson Plan
2014-2015
Page 3 of 4
Other:
Day One & Two: Introduction
1. Introduce vocabulary terms for argumentative text/essay: argument, claim, evidence, reliable source, counter
argument.
2. Students will read several informational pieces in the Performance Assessment book. Each piece of text will focus on Pit
bulls; either for or against having them as a pet.
3. While students read each article/blog/essay, they will look for the specific vocabulary terms mentioned in step one.
Day Three & Four: Computer Lab
1. Day Three - Students will visit the computer lab to conduct further research on pittbulls: content provided by Bundlr
http://bundlr.com/b/pittbulls-what-do-you-think At the end of class, students will need to decide on their “claim” based on
the content they read from the PA book and the curated sites; “Should pittbulls be pets?”
2. Day Four – Students will use the curated tool site Storify https://storify.com/ShanMoore630/argumentative-writing to
begin writing their argumentative essay. This resource will provide detailed examples of what an argumentative essay
should look like, how to introduce and conclude your essay, and a rubric is given to show how students will be graded.
Technology: Media Center, Computer Lab, Curated Technology Toolkits: Storify & Bundlr, and Meograph (visual
storytelling)
Grouping: Thinking Pairs, Collaborative Groups
Resources: Performance Assessment Workbook

4. Harlem Middle School
Weekly Lesson Plan
2014-2015
Page 4 of 4
Day Five & Six: Composing
1. For the next two days, students will begin writing their essay. After writing the first draft, students will edit/revise their
own work and then trade with their partner to peer-edit.
Day Seven: Computer Lab
1. Students will type their final draft.
Extension: Certain students (gifted/accelerated and students who struggle to compose written work) will be given the
opportunity to “visually” write their essay. Meograph (http://www.meograph.com/ ) is a story telling platform that allows
you to insert photos, infographics, video/audio, and text, in to a video like format.