Creative ELA Unit Study | Courage Is

Creative ELA Unit Study | Courage Is… asks us to explore the idea of courage- the courage it takes to speak up, to be who we want to be, to follow our dreams, and to be ourselves. 

We’ll look at the idea of courage in Pam Muñoz Ryan’s novels Solimar The Sword of the Monarchs, and The Dreamer. We’ll also learn about Pablo Neruda through his story and poetry. All the characters in our novels face challenges that ask them to be courageous. We’ll see that it is not easy but can ultimately pay off. 

Our creative writing projects will ask us to be courageous. To try our hand at different types of writing, to examine our environment, dreams, the things and people who inspire us, and to use our imagination. 

Creative ELA Unit Study | Courage Is- Student Guide

• Author study- Pam Muñoz Ryan
• Pre-Reading Solimar The Sword of the Monarchs and The Dreamer
• Read Solimar The Sword of the Monarchs, pages 1-100
• Discussion Questions for Solimar pages 1-100 
• Observation Journal- Video Mini-lesson
• Read Solimar The Sword of the Monarchs, pages 101-190
• Discussion Questions for Solimar pages 101-190 
• Magical Maps- Video Mini-lesson
• Webquest- All About Monarchs and The Oyamel Fir Forests in Mexico
• Read The Dreamer, pages 1-177
• Discussion Questions for Dreamer pages 1-185
• Dream Poetry Video Mini-Lesson
• Cooking project-  Foods found in Pam Munoz Ryan’s novels
• Finish reading The Dreamer
• Discussion Questions for Dreamer pages 178-353 
• Poems and Odes by Pablo Neruda 
• Who Inspires Me Creative Writing Project
• Post-reading activities

Courage is… is available with or without Zoom classes. If you purchase the unit with Zoom classes, I’ll lead your students through a pre-reading and post-reading class. We’ll schedule these classes to fit both of our schedules.