VELS Unit Planner Team: Year 7 Year Level: 7

Step 1
1. What is worthy and desiring of understanding? (Identify desired results)
2. What is evidence of understanding? (Determine acceptable evidences)
3. What learning experiences and teaching promote understanding, interest and excellence? (Plan learning experiences and
instructions)
Key Concept Journal Writing
(Generative topic / why? /
big idea)
Essential Learning Domain: English
Domains Dimension: Writing
(Including dimensions)
Domain: Personal Learning
Dimension: The individual learner
Dimension: Managing personal learning
Dimension: Reflection

Domain: Communication
Dimension: Presenting

Understanding Goals 1 Effective use of 2 Writing journal entries 3 4

(Written as essential allocated time to write that flow and show an
questions or statements) creative journal entries. ability to write.

Step 2
1. What is worthy and desiring of understanding? (Identify desired results)
2. What is evidence of understanding? (Determine acceptable evidences)
3. What learning experiences and teaching promote understanding, interest and excellence? (Plan learning experiences and
instructions)
Sequence Understandin Performances of Understanding Ongoing Assessment Reference to
g Goals (Criteria, feedback & reflection) specific VELS
standards
Introductory 1 Students are encouraged to write Journal Completion of a series of 4 journal English - Writing
Performances Entries of ’20 lines in 20 minutes.’ entries. Personal Learning
(Tuning in) Communication

Guided 1, 2 Students continue to write new journal Continuing completion of Journal English
Inquiry entries each Literacy lesson. Entries. Personal Learning
Performances Communication
(Finding out /
sorting out /
going further)
Culminating 1, 2 Students finish their final two journal Completion of set task. English
Performances entries Personal Learning
(Making Communication
conclusions /
taking action)

Step3
1.
What is worthy and desiring of understanding? (Identify desired results)
2.
What is evidence of understanding? (Determine acceptable evidences)
3.
What learning experiences and teaching promote understanding, interest and excellence? (Plan learning
experiences and instructions)
Weekly Overview
(Units may vary in length. A 6 week timeframe is not prescriptive)
Week 1 Block 1 (During a Literacy lesson)
During a Literacy lesson incorporate Journal writing into lesson plans, as well as Silent Reading and Spelling Tests.
Encourage students to write creative and personal responses to chosen topics. Topics are available in Curriculum Material.
Encourage students to write 20 lines in 20 minutes.

Block 2
During a Literacy lesson incorporate Journal writing into lesson plans, as well as Silent Reading and Spelling Tests.
Encourage students to write creative and personal responses to chosen topics. Topics are available in Curriculum Material.
Encourage students to write 20 lines in 20 minutes.

Block 3
During a Literacy lesson incorporate Journal writing into lesson plans, as well as Silent Reading and Spelling Tests.
Encourage students to write creative and personal responses to chosen topics. Topics are available in Curriculum Material.
Week 2 Encourage students to write 20 lines in 20 minutes.

Block 4
During a Literacy lesson incorporate Journal writing into lesson plans, as well as Silent Reading and Spelling Tests.
Encourage students to write creative and personal responses to chosen topics. Topics are available in Curriculum Material.
Encourage students to write 20 lines in 20 minutes. Students complete Reflection on Journal Writing.