Witness Through Words: Unit Planning Guide

Organization: Facing History & Ourselves
Common Core Domain: English Language Arts, English Language Arts/Literacy, History-Social Science, Reading, Reading: Informational Text, Writing
Grade Level: Grades 6-12
Duration: 180-240 Minutes
Multiple lessons
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.9 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.7 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-12.9 CCSS.HSS.10.5.5, 10.8.5

This unit guide supports middle and high school educators in designing an English Language Arts unit that uses literature to engage students in exploring genocide, identity, and human rights. Through frameworks like the Pedagogical Triangle and tools such as text-to-self/world strategies and culturally responsive resources, students develop critical thinking, emotional insight, and ethical reflection. The lesson includes planning templates, teaching strategies, and vetted texts to help students connect literature to real-world issues and civic responsibility.

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