Learning Goal and Scale
Student understanding of the concepts presented will be informally assessed throughout the unit using the following learning goals and scale.
Learning Goals:
Prior to reading the novel 90 Miles to Havana, students will understand and define historical/political concepts in relation to the novel and how it directly relates to the theme of bullying. Students will also reflect on their own personal experiences related to the theme of bullying using various web-based tools which will be used to demonstrate their over all understanding of the historical and theme-based concepts that they will encounter throughout their reading.
After reading and completing the web-based unit for the novel 90 Miles to Havana, students will understand how authors use elements such as figurative language and characterization to develop the plot in a novel. Students will make connections between texts, including works of fiction and non-fiction. Students will understand and use new vocabulary.
Before, during, and after reading students will engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions on the topic of bullying. After reading they will write explanatory texts to examine the topic of bullying and convey the ideas, concepts and information that will help them and their peers reduce the occurence of bullying in their school.
The following scale will be used to evaluate student learning demonstrated through each task within the unit (except the newsletter and the final written response to the essential question).