Cats: History and Heroes

This self-paced language arts course does not have any live meetings. The course is aligned to the national standards of citing text evidence, main idea, summarizing, narrative writing, and collaboration and discussion. 

During this course learners will read articles that are about cats. These articles will be used to practice the standards/skills of citing text evidence, main idea, summarizing, and collaboration and discussion. The articles will also foster discussion questions which will be posted on the Outschool classroom page. The last assignment for the course is a narrative writing piece. All assignments will be linked to the Outschool classroom page.

ESL/ELL:
All readings have been translated into a number of languages using Google Translate. These are to help with comprehension if needed. Many of the readings build background knowledge prior to students independently. reading the text through the use of SDAIE strategies.

National Standards:
-RI.5.1, RI.6.1, RI.7.1, RI.8.1, RI.9.1 - Citing Text Evidence
-RI.5.2, RI.6.2, RI.7.2, RI.8.2, RI.9.2 - Main Idea
-RI.5.2, RI.6.2, RI.7.2, RI.8.2, RI.9.2 - Summarizing
-W.5.3, W.6.3, W.7.3, W.8.3, W.9.3 - Narrative Writing
-SL.5.1, SL.6.1, SL.7.1, SL.8.1, SL.9.1 - Collaboration and Discussion

Course Format:
Learners will build background knowledge on some of the texts prior to reading. SDAIE (Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English) strategies are used to help build background knowledge. These strategies are specifically designed for ESL/ELL students, however, all students can benefit from these strategies. Students will participate in a lesson around a specific standard. Then, students will read texts and complete assessments over the standard. Some of the articles also have an optional activity with them.

The teacher will be available throughout the week via Outschool to answer any questions and give feedback. 

Course Schedule (Subject to Change):
Unit 1
-Lesson: Cat Anatomy
-Lesson: Summarizing
-Reading: “Paw choice? Cats show right and left-hand preferences”
-Reading: “The scoop on how your cat's sandpapery tongue deep cleans”
-Reading: “Meow hear this: Study says cats react to sound of their name”
-Reading: “Meet Sunglass Cat, an Instagram star with an eye-opening message of acceptance”

Unit 2
-Lesson: Wild to Domesticated
-Lesson: Citing Text Evidence
-Reading: “Study shows that cats have followed humans around for thousands of years”
-Reading: “Mummified lion and dozens of cats among rare finds in Egypt”
-Reading: “Our preferences for cats versus dogs go back thousands of years”
-Reading: “Cat's rule: Don't call me, I'll call you”
-Reading: “Cats may seem disinterested but are closely bonded to their caregivers”

Unit 3
-Lesson: Heroic Cats
-Lesson: Main Idea
-Reading: “Things to know about furry "Captain Marvel" breakout Goose the Cat”
-Reading: “"Working Cats" program gives hard-to-adopt felines jobs at businesses”

Unit 4
-Lesson: Narrative Writing
-Create a narrative writing piece