Grade 11: Cold War - What Caused McCarthyism?
Rating: 
Common Core Standards
Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies
RH.11–12.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole.
RH.11–12.9: Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.
Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
WHST.11–12.1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
Description of Unit
This Grade 11 unit titled “What Caused McCarthyism?” is cited on collegeready.gatesfoundation.org as part of the Common Assignment Study. The unit was developed by integrating the Understanding by Design framework with a Literacy Design Collaborative module to help scaffold and support the development of students’ content literacy. It is intended to be completed in 2 to 3 weeks of social studies/literacy instruction. Throughout the unit, students analyze a variety of materials including primary source documents, maps, a timeline and political cartoons to: form an evidence-based interpretation of a historical or contemporary topic/issue; develop evidence-based claims; question and consider causes of conflict. In the summative assessment, students independently construct and defend a historical claim and argument.
Cautions
Connecticut teachers should be cautioned that the teacher notes and preparation materials are extensive and will require familiarity to be used effectively. Additional supports and accommodations may be needed for students who are ELL, have disabilities, or read well below the grade level text band. The unit plan does not list any speaking and listening standards, although the standards are addressed and could be added.
Rationale for Selection
This unit is an exemplary example of a progression of learning where concepts and skills advance and deepen over time. It makes reading text(s) closely, examining textual evidence, and discerning deep meaning a central focus of instruction. Activities facilitate rich and rigorous evidence-based discussions providing for authentic learning, application of literacy skills, student-directed inquiry, analysis, evaluation and reflection. The unit elicits direct, observable evidence of the degree to which a student can independently demonstrate the major targeted grade-level CCSS standards. Materials for the unit activities, assessments, and rubrics for scoring student work are included.