Unit 1Why is Dystopian Fiction Fascinating?
16 lessons8 Weeks
Why is Dystopian Fiction Fascinating?
 Week 1
Lesson 1
Introduction to Unit 3
Teens are fascinated by dystopian fiction - part science fiction mixed with the fear of an unknown future combined with a bit of individualism; therefore, students will examine the themes, societies, and characters of dystopian fiction while practicing reading, writing, discussion, vocabulary and grammar. 

Students will be introduced to the first unit of semester 2 and how the course will proceed, including homework expectations of the readings, class discussions, and assignments. 
Lesson 2
Vocabulary for Unit 3
Students will be introduced to the vocabulary for unit 1 in an interactive, engaging lesson.
 Week 2
Lesson 3
Reading: Someone Might be watching: Introduction to Dystopian Fiction
Students will read an informational article about the main topic of the unit and will discuss any examples of dystopian literature or movies they may have already experienced.
Lesson 4
Reading: Why Teens Find the End of the World Fascinating
Students will read the article to find the central idea, perspective, and identify aspects of the structure of the article. They will also compare some of the ideas from this article to the article they read in lesson 3.
 Week 3
Lesson 5
Reading Poetry: Fire and Ice by Robert Frost
Students will discuss and write about this poem's diction, theme, and how the rhymes emphasize ideas as well as how this poem fits into our unit theme of dystopian literature.
Lesson 6
Reading: Technology Haiku and Vocabulary Quiz
Students will examine the poem's theme and point of view as well as looking at dystopian aspects; take a vocabulary quiz on this unit's vocabulary.
 Week 4
Lesson 7
Reading: Experts Debate Will Computers Edge Out Entire Careers
Students will analyze the structure, argument, central idea, and point of view of this article, as well as, how fiction author Ray Bradbury imagined would happen with machines in the future.
Lesson 8
Reading: Proposed Treatment to Fix Genetic Diseases
Students will discuss and write about the central idea of the article as well as examine its structure and purpose.
 Week 5
Lesson 9
Reading: Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
Students will discuss and write about how this short story contains aspects of dystopian literature as well as examine its satire.
Lesson 10
Reading: The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury
Students will discuss and write about how this sci-fi short story contains aspects of dystopian literature, , and compare themes to Harrison Bergeron.
 Week 6
Lesson 11
Reading: The Secret Source Part 1
Students will examine the aspects of dystopian literature in this short story as well as discuss the themes introduced by the author.
Lesson 12
Reading: The Secret Source Part 2
Students will Students will examine the aspects of dystopian literature in this short story as well as discuss and write about the ending of the story and its ambiguity.
 Week 7
Lesson 13
Reading: Autumntime
Students will discuss and map out the central idea, structure, point of view and perspective of this short story and how it fits into the dystopian literature theme.
Lesson 14
Reading: Tales from Inner City Fishing #2
Students will map out the central idea, structure, point of view and perspective of this short story and how it fits or doesn't fit into the dystopian literature theme.
 Week 8
Lesson 15
Writing: Final Essay Planning and Writing
Students will use their notes from the graphic organizer which they kept throughout this unit and write an essay that explores one of the concepts of dystopian literature and its popularity amongst teens.
Lesson 16
Writing: Final Essay Planning and Writing
Students will finish up their essays and submit them by the end of class.
Unit 2What is the Hero's Quest?
16 lessons8 Weeks
What is the Hero's Quest?
 Week 9
Lesson 17
Intro to Unit 4: Planning a Hero's Quest
UNIT 4 OVERVIEW: Let's go on a hero's quest, following the experiences of mythical characters into the unknown. Our adventure into the imagination of ancient myth will be paired with a writing project - students follow their own quest to choose what they will study in more depth with structured step-by-step guidance (like a genius hour).

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the second unit of semester 2 and how this unit will proceed,
Lesson 18
Vocabulary for Unit 4 - Writing YOU
Students will be introduced to the vocabulary for unit 2 in an interactive, engaging lesson, and begin the writing of the first part of the Quest Writing Project.
 Week 10
Lesson 19
Reading: The Reef 
Students will read the article to find the central idea, perspective, and identify aspects of the structure of the article. They will also compare some of the ideas from this article to the article they read in lesson 3.
Lesson 20
Writing: Quest Project NEED
Students will complete part two of their Writing Quest Project.
 Week 11
Lesson 21
Reading: Orpheus and Eurydice
Students will examine and discuss the themes and main ideas of this myth as well as compare the story to a video version of it.
Lesson 22
Writing Quest Project GO
Students will complete part three of their Writing Quest Project.
 Week 12
Lesson 23
Viewing: Myths from around the World
Students will choose a myth video from a list to examine the theme and how this myth follows the hero's quest.
Lesson 24
Writing Quest Project: FIND
Students will complete part four of their Writing Quest Project.
 Week 13
Lesson 25
Reading: Odysseus and Cyclops
Students will examine and discuss this part of The Odyssey and what part of the hero's quest in which this part of the story fits into. 
Lesson 26
Writing Quest Project TAKE
Students will complete part five of their Writing Quest Project.
 Week 14
Lesson 27
Reading: Odysseus and Sirens
Students will examine and discuss this part of The Odyssey and what part of the hero's quest in which this part of the story fits into. 
Lesson 28
Writing Quest Project RETURN
Students will complete part six of their Writing Quest Project.
 Week 15
Lesson 29
Writing Quest Project CHANGE
Students will complete part seven of their Writing Quest Project.
Lesson 30
Writing Quest Project FINISHING TOUCHES
Students will complete whatever needs to be finished for their project
 Week 16
Lesson 31
Final Review
Students will review grammar, vocabulary, and concepts learned this semester.
Lesson 32
Semester Assessment
Students will complete the final assessment for this semester.