Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

• Different strategies and skills are required to understand a variety of texts.

• Independent learners use critical thinking skills.

• An effective communicator knows his/her audience and purpose.

• An effective communicator uses standard English language rules.

• The selection and use of relevant information requires evaluating a variety of sources.

• Literature provides an understanding of human experience.

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

• How do we apply different strategies and skills to understand a variety of texts?

• What is critical thinking?

• How do we think critically in our lives?

• What is responsible research?

• What makes information relevant?

• How do I use information?

• What is literature?

• How can we make personal connections through literature?

• What makes us human?