Unit Plan 27 (Grade 8 ELA): Synthesizing & Reconciling Conflicting Sources
8th graders synthesize multiple informational sources to identify, explain, and reconcile conflicting evidence. Students evaluate differences in scope, method, or bias, integrate cross-source evidence in concise written responses, and analyze how visuals or media influence understanding.
Focus: Integrating ideas; resolving discrepancies; short evidence-based responses
Grade Level: 8
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading—Informational; Writing—Analytical; Speaking/Listening—Media Analysis)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Real-world topics rarely come with one tidy answer. This week, students practice synthesis: reading multiple sources on the same issue, reconciling conflicts (differences in scope, date, definitions, methods, or bias), and writing short evidence-based responses that present a clear finding supported by cross-source evidence. They’ll also analyze information from diverse media (data visuals/video) to evaluate how presentation choices shape understanding.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Integrate ideas from two or more informational texts on the same topic; explain how/why they agree, diverge, or conflict, and reconcile discrepancies with reasoned conclusions (RI.8.9).
- Draw and cite evidence from informational texts to support analysis and conclusions in concise written responses (W.8.9b).
- Analyze information presented in diverse media (charts, infographics, brief video/audio), infer purpose, and evaluate how presentation choices affect interpretation (SL.8.2).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 8
- RI.8.9: Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information; identify where the texts disagree; reconcile as warranted.
- W.8.9b: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- SL.8.2: Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and evaluate the motives behind its presentation.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can name the conflict between sources and pinpoint what, exactly, they disagree about.
- I can synthesize: combine key ideas and resolve (or classify) the disagreement using strongest evidence.
- I can write a tight response (claim → cross-source evidence → reasoning) and credit sources clearly.
- I can explain how a visual or video shapes understanding and whether it clarifies or distorts the issue.