Writing Unit Plan for 9th-12th Grade
The Write In Extended Curriculum: Dark Testament explores Black history & writing with engaging, flexible, dynamic, and meaningful instructional materials and learning experiences that provide students with opportunities to explore their identities, learn with and from their peers, and use the beauty and power of Black writers to inspire their own creative stories.
Apply to Participate
Curriculum Goals
The unit is shaped by the four themes of the Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice exhibit: Belonging, Violence, Justice, and Joy. The primary goals of the unit are as follows:
- Deepen knowledge of Black history and racial injustice by exploring texts composed by Black Writers
- Build understanding of racial injustice in the past and present, and to build empathy for those impacted by racial injustice
- Use writing as a means of building empathy, enhancing collaboration and creativity, and working towards social justice
This unit is aligned to the following learning standards: Common Core Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening, and Language: Social-emotional Learning Competencies; Illinois State Board of Education Social Science Standards.
The Write In Extended Curriculum: Dark Testament provides:
- Online orientation which provides an introduction to the curriculum (PD hour(s) provided for orientation session)
- Diagnostic (a rubric is provided) and Summative Assessments
- Curriculum Guide
- Flexible lesson plans that can be adapted to fit the needs of a variety of high school courses, including but not limited to English, Creative Writing, Humanities, US History, Black Studies, and Ethnic Studies
- Student Workbook
- Text, media, and museum resources
- Optional In-Person Field Trip or Virtual Field Trip
- Museum Staff Support
What to Expect
- A flexible plan that can be adapted to fit the needs of a variety of high school courses, including but not limited to: English, Creative Writing, Humanities, US History, Black Studies, and Ethnic Studies. (An abridged version is made available for shortened timeframes.)
- 26 lessons that provide students with opportunities to engage in reading, writing, speaking, listening, collaboration, and reflection.
- Variety of media, texts, and resources, including online materials from Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice.
- A culminating activity that honors students’ final writing projects in the form of a community celebration
Timeline for Completing Course:
- Register as a participant by completing the form below
- Attend Online Orientation
- Implement curriculum, projected 6-8 weeks to complete the unit. (An abridged version is made available for shortened timeframes.)
- Participate in mid-point check-in
- Attend Curriculum Completion Round Table Discussion
- Complete Evaluation
Forms to participate are accepted on a rolling basis
To participate, please complete the application form below.