{"product_id":"gratitude-an-sel-ela-reading-and-writing-unit-for-fall-grades-6-9","title":"Gratitude: An SEL \u0026 ELA Reading and Writing Unit for Fall (Grades 6-9)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFall-themed ELA unit for Grades 6–9 featuring\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Gift of the Magi\u003c\/em\u003e, poetry, informational text, and creative writing on gratitude and empathy. Strengthen your students’ reading, writing, and reflection skills with this Grades 6–9 ELA \u0026amp; SEL resource focused on theme, tone, figurative language, and perspective — all through the lens of gratitude.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis flexible fall mini-unit combines literary analysis, poetry interpretation, and creative expression to help students explore gratitude in literature and life. Students read and analyze a Reader’s Theater version of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Gift of the Magi\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand the poem\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Thankful”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eby Ella Wheeler Wilcox, study the informational article\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e“The Power of Gratitude,”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand respond through personal poems, journal prompts, and character letters. Perfect for fall, SEL units, or any season of reflection, this mini-unit blends meaningful content and academic rigor—no prep required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for the fall season or anytime you want meaningful, SEL-integrated lessons that still build essential ELA skills — no fluff, no prep, just authentic learning and engagement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGratitude Journal Prompts \/ Bellringers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e20 writing prompts (printable, 4-to-a-page, and Canva slide deck versions)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible for daily journaling or reflection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePromotes emotional awareness and writing fluency\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformational Text –\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Power of Gratitude\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArticle on what gratitude is and why it matters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehension \u0026amp; reflection questions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReader’s Theater \u0026amp; Story Analysis – “The Gift of the Magi”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal Reader’s Theater script (3 characters)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStory analysis handout covering tone, theme, and irony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReflection and connection prompts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks with either the script or the original story\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoetry Analysis – “Thankful” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFigurative language and tone analysis questions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect short text for a 1-day fall poetry lesson\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWrite Your Own Gratitude Poem\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree options: Ode to an Ordinary Thing, Gratitude in Five Senses, Thank-You Poem\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreative and SEL-integrated writing practice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharacter Gratitude Letters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerspective writing project connecting empathy and literary analysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnections to characters from students' actual reading, i.e. a letter from Juliet to the Nurse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeacher Guide \u0026amp; Answer Key\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePacing guide, learning objectives, sample student answers, differentiation tips, and extension ideas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eELA Unit or Thematic Unit: Use all parts together over 1–2 weeks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible Fall Lessons: Assign one section per day or week.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBellringers \/ Journal Prompts: Use gratitude prompts for consistent writing practice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreative Writing Workshop: Use poetry and letters for performance or display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInformational Text: Integrate the Gratitude article and questions for RI standard alignment and nonfiction practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Teachers Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompletely no-prep and easy to differentiate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks with Grades 6–9 across reading levels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMix-and-match format for flexible scheduling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible and sub-friendly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduces authentic, display-worthy student work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinished products create an awesome bulletin board display!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Students Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelatable themes of kindness, gratitude, and connection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShort, high-interest texts that feel relevant and emotional\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreative writing that feels personal and expressive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVariety of activities — from acting to journaling to poetry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA positive, reflective break from traditional analysis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Simply Novel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42737915691056,"sku":null,"price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0270\/4333\/2144\/files\/gratitude-an-sel-ela-reading-and-writing-unit-for-fall-grades-6-9-3011172.jpg?v=1770512532","url":"https:\/\/simplynovel.com\/products\/gratitude-an-sel-ela-reading-and-writing-unit-for-fall-grades-6-9","provider":"Simply Novel","version":"1.0","type":"link"}