Developing Resilience: The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

Lesson 18
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ELA

Unit 1

6th Grade

Lesson 18 of 32

Objective


Explain how author Christopher Paul Curtis develops and contrasts characters’ perspectives in The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.

Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues, and then check the accuracy of inferred definitions using a reference text. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis  pp. 138 – 161 — Chapter 10 and Chapter 11

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What is Byron’s perspective of his grandmother? How does it differ from Kenny’s? What specific lines from the text develop the reader’s understanding of these different perspectives? Provide two pieces of evidence from pages 158–161.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What is the meaning of the word "disposition" as used in the second full paragraph on page 153?

    Write a rough definition of this word, then check it in the dictionary. 

  • What is the meaning of the word "frequencies" as it is used in the second full paragraph on page 154?

    Write a rough definition of this word, then check it in the dictionary. 

  • How does Kenny’s perspective of the outhouse differ from his parents’? How does the author develop this difference in perspective? Provide evidence from pages 139­–141.

  • How does Kenny's dad's perspective of the mountains differ from the rest of the family? How does the author develop this difference in perspective? Provide evidence from pages 144–146.

  • What is the meaning of the word "frequencies" as it is used in the second full paragraph on page 154? How did dad's understanding of frequencies help him while driving?

  • What is the meaning of the word "disposition" as used in the second full paragraph on page 153? Why does dad think the three kids are "bad-dispositioned"?

Discussion Questions

  • Why do most members of the Watson family feel so nervous at the rest stop in the mountains? Do you think all of their fears are justified?

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


Text-based

disposition

n.

personality; usual mood or general attitude of an individual

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Book: The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis  pp. 162 – 179

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What story does Mr. Robert tell the boys? How does Kenny react to this story? How is it different from the way Dad and Byron react?

  • Why aren't the kids supposed to go to Collier's Landing?

  • What does Kenny do when he sees the "No Trespassing" sign? What does Byron do?

  • What does Kenny do when he gets to Collier's Landing? What happens in the water?

  • How does Kenny get out of the situation safely?

  • How does he feel at the end of the chapter?

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Common Core Standards


  • L.6.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
  • L.6.4.a — Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
  • L.6.4.c — Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
  • L.6.4.d — Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
  • RL.6.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.

Supporting Standards

L.6.6
RL.6.1
RL.6.2
RL.6.4
RL.6.10
SL.6.1
SL.6.6
W.6.1
W.6.1.a
W.6.1.b
W.6.1.c
W.6.4
W.6.9
W.6.9.a
W.6.10
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Lesson 17

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Lesson 19

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