Scott Foresman Reading Street

Unit 6

Theme Launch

Discuss the Big Idea

As a class, discuss the Big Idea question, What does freedom mean?

Explain how freedom is a word and an idea that has different meanings to different people. (to share one's ideas, from fear, to practice a religion of choice, and so on)

Ask students why it is important for people to have freedom.

Examples of important freedoms are found in the Bill of Rights. Explain a few of them for students.

Theme and Concept Connections

Weekly lesson concepts help students connect the reading selections and the unit theme. Theme-related activities throughout the week provide opportunities to explore the relationships among the selections, the lesson concepts, and the unit theme.

Unit Inquiry Project

Symbols of Freedom

In the unit inquiry project, students research symbols that represent freedom and then choose one symbol and find out about its history. Students may use print or online resources as available.

The project assessment rubric can be found on p. 408a. Discuss the expectations before students begin the project.

PROJECT TIMETABLE

WEEK ACTIVITY/SKILL CONNECTION
1		IDENTIFY QUESTIONS Students browse a few Web sites or print reference materials to develop an inquiry question about American symbols of freedom.
2		NAVIGATE/SEARCH Students conduct effective information searches and look for text and images that can help them answer their questions.
3		ANALYZE Students explore Web sites or print materials. They analyze the information they have found to determine whether or not it will be useful to them. Students print or take notes on valid information.
4		SYNTHESIZE Students combine relevant information they've collected from different sources to develop an answer to their inquiry questions from Week 1.
5		COMMUNICATE Each student prepares a list of useful resources for other classes who may wish to explore symbols of American freedom. Students may also prepare presentations about their symbols of freedom.

The Story of the
Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty has come to symbolize American freedom.

NARRATIVE NONFICTION

Happy Birthday
Mr. Kang

Mr. Kang makes an important
decision about his pet bird.

REALISTIC FICTION

Talking Walls:
Art for the People

Artists express freedom
through murals.

PHOTO ESSAY

Two Bad Ants

Ants learn the difficulties
of a free life.

ANIMAL FANTASY

Elena’s Serenade

Elena learns she has the
freedom to follow her dream.

FANTASY

Paired Selection

A Nation of
Immigrants

TEXTBOOK

Paired Selection

Back to the Wild:
A Talk with a
Wildlife Worker

INTERVIEW

Paired Selection

Nathaniel’s Rap

POETRY

Paired Selection

Hiking Safety
Tips

EVALUATING SOURCES

Paired Selection

Leading People
to Freedom

EXPOSITORY NONFICTION

Use the following selections to help students learn more about the meaning of the concept of freedom.

The Story of the Statue of Liberty Have students discuss why the statue was created and what it represents to people around the world today.

Talking Walls: Art for the People Have students discuss the different reasons people paint murals. Explain to students that murals use pictures and symbols to tell a story of people, the history of a place, or important celebrations.