English Multi-Genre Digital Unit Technology - Short Stories, Poetry, Nonfiction

English Multi-Genre Digital Unit Technology - Short Stories, Poetry, Nonfiction: Dive into an innovative approach to teaching English with this digital thematic multi-genre unit centered around technology. Engage students in exploring the pervasive role of technology in their lives and society through a diverse range of literary genres, including short stories, poetry, nonfiction, and videos. This comprehensive unit plan includes creative writing prompts, speaking and listening activities, figurative language exercises, and grammar lessons, all with a technology-related focus. With no prep required, you'll have everything you need to deliver dynamic and meaningful lessons that resonate with students.

This is a digital resource, and students complete all the work on the computer. This works well with distance learning, 1:1 classrooms, remote teaching, Google Classroom, or online education.

Included in This Digital English Multi-Genre Unit on Technology:

Poetry Resources

➡️ The World is Too Much With Us by William Wordsworth: Introduce students to the timeless poem of William Wordsworth, The World Is Too Much With Us," a poignant reflection on the perils of industrialization and humanity's disconnect from nature. Facilitated by a comprehensive 15-slide Google Slides presentation, students engage in immersive digital analysis, annotation exercises, and reflective journaling, deepening their appreciation for Wordsworth's poem.

➡️ I Like to See It Lap the Miles by Emily Dickinson: Have students analyze Emily Dickinson's evocative poem, "I Like To See It Lap The Miles." With the included presentation to guide the lesson, students dissect Dickinson's masterful poem, engage in digital annotation exercises, and write their own technologically inspired poetry.

Nonfiction Resources

➡️ Millennials in the Workplace Video Assignment: Students watch Simon Sinek's compelling thoughts on millennial challenges in the workplace. Through group discussions and individual reflections on 12 thought-provoking statements, students examine the video in great detail.

➡️ Social Media and Mental Health Nonfiction Article: Engage students with this thought-provoking one-page assignment designed to deepen their understanding of the article "Social Media’s Impact on our Mental Health and Tips to Use it Safely." Students will respond to five insightful reading questions related to the article. A link is provided to access the article directly from the assignment sheet.

➡️ Does Slacktivism Work? Nonfiction Article: Bring nonfiction into your classroom with this reading response assignment for a modern and engaging article called "Does Slacktivism work?" (author: Laura Seay). The article discusses the concept and value of "slacktivism" which are actions performed via the Internet in support of a political or social cause but regarded as requiring little time or involvement (e.g., liking or sharing social media posts, signing an online petition etc.). A digital reading assignment is included.

Short Story Resources

➡️ The Veldt by Ray Bradbury: Through Ray Bradbury's captivating short story, The Veldt, students embark on a thought-provoking journey into the repercussions of technology infiltrating domestic life. Supported by an extensive 19-slide Google Slides presentation, digital analysis questions, a figurative language assignment, and a creative writing activity, you'll have everything you need.

➡️ The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury: Have students read Ray Bradbury's dystopian narrative, The Pedestrian, which serves as a captivating springboard for exploring the societal ramifications of technology advancements. Included is a Google Slides presentation to guide the lesson, digital analysis questions, a figurative language assignment, and a creative assignment where students extend the story after Leonard is arrested.

ELA Skills Resources

➡️ Figurative Language Assignments (Technology Themed): Use these three technology-inspired digital assignments to help your students practice finding common figurative language. Students will label figurative language in technology-inspired phrases that include an example of metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration, oxymoron, or onomatopoeia. Also included are detailed answer keys for you to mark or review the answers with your students!

➡️ Grammar Assignments (Technology Themed): This digital assignment has students imagine that the school computers have been bugged. The cyber criminal has left grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors with each bug, and it is up to the students to find and correct them in order to save the school system. The grammar concepts addressed in this assignment are spelling, commas, fragments, apostrophes, homophones, capitalization, misplaced modifiers, and subject-verb agreement.

Writing Resources

➡️ Technology Video Journals: Elevate traditional journaling to the digital age, this segment provides students with 10 captivating video prompts that delve into the profound impact of technology on their lives, communities, and the world at large.

➡️ A Day Without Technology Assignment: Challenge students to unplug and disconnect from the digital realm for 24 hours, this assignment prompts profound introspection into the pervasive influence of technology on their daily lives. Preceded by thought-provoking questions and followed by reflective analysis, students emerge with newfound insights into the role of technology in shaping modern existence.

➡️ Technology of the Past Interview Assignment: this assignment invites students to explore the technological past through an interview with someone from an older generation. Guided by questions, students explore firsthand insights into the evolution of technology's impact, culminating in class presentations.

Final Projects

➡️ Make an Impact with Technology Project: While technology can be used in many negative ways, it also offers so many opportunities for people to have a positive impact on their community and the world. This digital project allows students to use a form of modern technology to make a positive impact.

➡️ Final Essay Topics: Finish up the unit plan by having students write a 5 paragraph essay on one of the three included topics. The topics have them explore the readings/videos from the unit more in-depth to explore the role of technology in their lives. Also included is an essay graphic organizer

What Teachers Are Saying About This English Multi-Genre Unit on Technology:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I chose this unit to start my grade 9 applied English class with, and I have not been disappointed. The short stories are interesting and have led to some great class discussions, and the poems and figurative speech terms were a fun "team challenge" for my competitive students. The reading responses have been great for checking student comprehension as well. Thanks for a great resource!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This resource is engaging and includes a variety of writing and reading. It was even easy to leave for a sub when I had to be out. Highly recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a wonderful print-and-go curriculum. The lay out is great and the work is doable for students of all levels in high school.

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