This collection uses primary sources to explore Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

In this unit, students will examine the global topic of refugees.  The students will use nonfiction articles that provide students a background knowledge of the topic.  The articles will be the resources used to support learning of nonfiction VDOE Grade 8 standards. Students will apply comprehension skills daily throughout the unit of study.   The acquired background knowledge will support the second half of the unit as students will take part in a novel study using Refugee.   The students will show mastery by completing a persuasive writing performance based assessment. 

In this unit, students will read the novel, A Long Walk to Water, analyzing characterization, plot, and setting in small groups.   Students will read informational text and watch videos about The Lost Boys of Sudan and the water shortage crisis in Sudan to give them background knowledge regarding major events in the novel.   A journaling activity will be used to help students respond to events in the novel.   The unit will culminate with a two voice poem performance based assessment.