Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Inherit the Wind Name: Jennifer Murphy

Content Area: English Grade Level: 11th Grade
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.9
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.W.11-12.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3.D
Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including
new arguments or information.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range
of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11-12
topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.B
Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.D
Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when
possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.2
Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions
and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning,
alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a
range of formal and informal tasks.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.5
Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings,
reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

The goal of this unit is for students to have an understanding of the concepts and themes introduced in the play, Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and
Robert E. Lee.

Inherit the Wind is a play about a high-profile town trial where a teacher is being prosecuted for teaching evolution in a public school, which is thought to
threaten Christian beliefs. Throughout the play, the characters refuse to see one anothers side and disrespect each others beliefs. In a lesson that is
designed to be given at the onset of this unit, students will explore their own beliefs and create a Personal Credo. The goal of this lesson is for students to
learn to respect others beliefs, even if they do not agree.

This play is also an allegory for trials against ideals. Students will work in groups of four and explore high profile trials that challenge peoples ideals. Two
students will take the prosecutions side and two students will take the defenses side. They will explore arguments made in the trial they choose and
present the trial to their classmates, as if they were arguing their case in court. This will teach students about the basics of how the court system works as
well as researching and arguing for their cause.

Unit Summary:

Students will incorporate the use of technology to complete activities related to Inherit the Wind. These activities will help students to explore two themes
of the play: Trials against ideals and respecting the beliefs of others. Students will also learn about the characters of the play and dive into their character
traits.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level: Formative: Summative:
Class Brainstorm; questions about Character matching worksheet in Personal Credo Infographic
character traits GoFormative Trials Against Ideals Presentation
Class Brainstorm- What is a belief? What Graphic Organizer
is a Credo? Quick Write
Class Discussion Define legal terms Respond to classmates Personal Credo
infographic
Webercise
Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)
Student Learning Acceptable Evidence Lesson Activities:
Objective: (Assessments): 1. Teacher will present the eight main characters in Inherit the Wind
Students are introduced to Entry-Level Assessment: 2. Students will have access to the Google Slides presentation and follow along
the eight main characters Class Brainstorm; 3. Students will access a worksheet using GoFormative
of Inherit the Wind questions about character
4. Using what they learned about the characters, students will match character
traits
names/pictures with their descriptions
Formative Assessment: 5. Students will answer one of the eight questions posed during the presentation with a one-
Character matching paragraph response
 worksheet in GoFormative

Lesson 2 (Graphic Organizer)

Student Learning
Objective:
Students will engage in
the theme of analyzing
and listening to others
beliefs and opinions.
Lesson 3 (Webercise/ iPad Lesson)
Student Learning
Objective:
Students will understand
the basics of a court case
and respectfully argue
their side. They will
maturely handle sensitive
issues brought up in these
court cases.
Unit Resources:
Lesson 1
Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee
Inherit the Wind Main Characters Google Slides Presentation
GoFormative
Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Entry Level Assessment:
Class Brainstorm- What is 1. Students will listen to and comprehend a short speech, researching and defining words
a belief? What is a Credo? and terms they do not understand on their Graphic Organizer
2. Students will compose their Personal Credo, writing down their own beliefs and expanding
Formative Assessments: upon them using academic language
Graphic Organizer; Quick 3. Students will create an infographic in Google Drawing with their Personal Credo and post
Write; Respond to it to the class Padlet
classmates Personal 4. Students will comment on their classmates infographics on Padlet
Credo infographic 5. Students will indicate their understanding of the importance of ones beliefs so that we can
move on to start Inherit the Wind.
Summative Assessment:
Personal Credo
Infographic
Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Entry-Level Assessment: 1. Students will get into groups of four and choose an actual high-profile court case based on
Class Discussion Define challenging ideals. Two students will represent the defense and two students will
legal terms represent the prosecution
2. Students will research these cases online, finding evidence used in the trial
Formative Assessment:
3. Students will create a Google Slides presentation that they will use while they argue their
Webercise
case
Summative Assessment:
Trials Against Ideals
Presentation

Lesson 2
Personal Credo Google Slides Presentation
This I Believe Recording
Transcription of This I Believe Recording
Graphic Organizer

Lesson 3
Trials Against Ideals Google Slides Presentation
Useful Websites:
Lesson 1
GoFormative

Lesson 2:
This I Believe Recording

Lesson 3:
Optional resources for trials against ideals
Abortion Court Cases
The Biggest Environmental Cases of 2015
Universal Health Services v. United States ex rel. Escobar
Animal Law Resource Center
Law Dictionary
Peruta v California: The Supreme Courts Next Bog Gun Case
Major Death Penalty Cases in the US Supreme Court
Euthanasia Cases in History