MISSION X #2 OF 50 Adventure Fiction Story Unit-"Ace Up The Sleeve" in CA

• CALIFORNIA IS HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS ORIGINAL ADVENTURE STORY AT THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE!
• CROSS-CURRICULAR: READING, L.A., SOCIAL STUDIES, SCIENCE UNIT!
• EXCITING, FUN, RIGOROUS, AND ENGAGING READING/L.A. UNIT FOR GIRLS AND BOYS THAT'S LOADED WITH VITAL STATE STANDARDS!
• GREAT FOR SPIRAL REVIEW AND PRACTICE BEFORE STATE ASSESSMENTS!
• CHALLENGING BUT FUN ASSESSMENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR 2-3 WEEKS!
• REQUIRES FEW COPIES AND GREAT FOR PLANNING FOR SUBSTITUTES!
• NO WORRIES ABOUT HAVING OR BUYING BOOKS FOR THE KIDS!
• EASY FOR KIDS TO TAKE HOME IF NEEDED OR FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING!
• THE 2nd STORY OF 50 I WROTE FOR THIS UNIQUE AND ADVENTURE FILLED ORIGINAL SERIES FOR ALL 50 STATES!

I did not launch my 1st and 2nd story & units in my series of 50 until I had myself and a number of teachers and individuals read and use it first-hand in the classroom. This gave me opportunities to revise and improve the unit as well as receive quality feedback. When I personally used this unit to "test it out" on my 5th grade students, they wanted to stop reading the novel we were reading and continue this series.

Quotes from teachers who were NOT prompted in any way are as follows: "This is absolutely amazing and brilliant!"; "It's fantastic and has so many learning opportunities."; "I need this unit now...it's very rigorous."; "I love how you imbedded many standards into one unit and short story."; "It's very thorough and anticpatory towards teacher needs and classroom instruction."

How this ORIGINAL fiction adventure story UNIT benefits the student and teacher:

• For the kids to enjoy Reading every day or for anytime of the year. The two main characters are a boy and a girl, so it accommodates both readers.
• For the kids to be engaged in Reading while learning fundamental values.
• For teachers across grade levels and classes to use them for growth tracking.
• For the teacher to spend three weeks or less on a unit using many rigorous mini-lessons and activities.
• For the kids to take home without the worry of losing books.
• For the students to learn key Reading and ELA standards quickly and effectively and for a solid review for state standardized tests.
• For the kids to learn Cross-Curricular in History, Science, Math, Language Arts, and Critical Thinking Skills all in one short story unit.
• For the teacher to use every week or month if they wanted or needed to (I will be writing a total of 50 of these short stories in the coming months).
• For the children of our generation to learn and appreciate the heritage and history of each state in America (California and The Golden Gate Bridge is highlighted in this story).
• For each student to respect and admire nature by acquiring knowledge of our endangered species in all 50 States of America (what child doesn't like animals? The endangered California Condor is highlighted in this story).
• Great for assigning to Substitute Teachers, too!

Synopsis to Mission X Series #2 of 50 "Ace Up The Sleeve" in CALIFORNIA:

The setting is present day and 12 year olds Skylar and Lance were born fraternal twins with physical disabilities. They soon aquire "bionic" prosthesis from their adopted parents and are thrusted into a secret organization called K.I.T.E. (Kids Investigative Tactical Elite team). They use their wits, intelligence, skills, and "bionic" arm and leg to locate and battle Sergeant X who is an injured war veteran and uses a futuristic wheelchair to get around. Sergeant X is on a mission to destroy famous places or landmarks in each state in America. Skylar and Lance (and their blind border collie dog) work together in love and in patriotism to try and prevent Sergeant X from accomplishing his wicked goals. Come along on this journey of risks and rewards to discover the beauty in nature, history, and humankind.

There will eventually be a total of 50 of these adventure stories so you, your kids, your students, and your different grade levels can enjoy, grow, and learn in a fun way throughout the year and multiple schools years. You and your grade level teachers and/or other grade level teachers can pick and choose which ones to do. You can also have groups in your classroom complete different units or states.

TABLE-OF-CONTENTS OF THIS 90 Page UNIT IN ORDER (may be modified some)

· Common Core Standards and Skills in this Unit

· Idiom Teacher Discussion Prompt before Beginning Unit (important!)

· Teacher Instructions on How to Use the Unit Effectively

· Student English Reference Pages

· The Phonetic or Military Alphabet Pages

· The Mission X Series #2 of 50 Page 1 of 1st Lesson

· Prologue Page 2 of 1st Lesson

· Sergeant X Letter Page 3 of 1st lesson

· Grammar and Mechanics Mystery Clue Card Page 4 of 1st lesson

· Give Two Hoots for the Roots Page 5 of 1st lesson

· Phase 1 Story Pages 6-8

· Phase 1 Mission Packet 1-20 Rigorous Items and Questions

· Mission X Series Phase One 1-5 Exit Quiz & Answer Key

· Phase 2 Story Pages 12-13

· Phase 2 Mission Packet 1-20 Rigorous Items and Questions

· Mission X Series Phase Two 1-5 Exit Quiz & Answer Key

· Phase 3 Story Pages 17-19

· Phase 3 Mission Packet 1-20 Rigorous Items and Questions

· Mission X Series Phase Three 1-5 Exit Quiz & Answer Key

(60 TOTAL Standards-Based Mission Packet Questions or Items)

· Give Two Hoots for the Roots Vocabulary Sentence Test 1-10

· Vocabulary Word Art Template and Rubric

· Vocabulary Word Art Poster Student Examples or Exemplars

· 1-15 Context Clue Vocabulary Practice Cards Activity for Test

· 1-15 Context Clue Vocabulary Test

· How to Write a Summary of a Phase Activity Pages and Examples

· End-of-Unit Endangered Species Research Paper/Poster Activities

· Final Test 1-25 Multiple Choice with Writing Prompt/Answer Key

· Final Test 1-20 Multiple Choice Only

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The Phase 1, 2, and 3 Mission Packets, activity pages, exit quizzes, and Final Test contain the Core Standards and skills below. Note that the mission packets, exit quizzes, and activities give the students practice on the mastery of these standards and skills for the Final Test:

· Identifying and understanding the meanings of figurative language-idioms,

similes, personification, hyperboles, adages/proverbs.

· Using Inference Skills

· Identifying the meanings of unknown words using context clues

· Using rigorous vocabulary words in context clue sentences

· Identifying and writing Main Ideas

· Identifying Themes or Central Messages

· Identifying the Tone of a passage or sentence

· Summarizing a chapter or phase

· Understanding and identifying the 4 Text Structures-problem/solution; cause/effect; compare/contrast; chronology/Sequence

· Identifying Point-of-View or Perspective

· Mastering and Using Grammar and Mechanic Skills

· Identifying Greek and Latin Word parts and decoding word meanings

· Identifying and Understanding Synonyms and Antonyms

· Understanding and identifying homographs and homophones

· Cross-Curricular History and Science content, Art, and Math skills

· Using Comprehension skills

· Using Critical thinking skills

· Predicting Outcomes

· Writing Research Papers