Developing Resilience: The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

Lesson 2
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ELA

Unit 1

6th Grade

Lesson 2 of 32

Objective


Explain how author Christopher Paul Curtis develops the narrator’s unique point of view in The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis  pp. 7 – 19 — Chapter 1, start at “I didn’t hear any sound”

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does Kenny see his older brother, Byron? How does Christopher Paul Curtis develop Kenny’s point of view of his brother through dialogue, thoughts, and/or actions?

Support your answer with two specific pieces of evidence from the text.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • Re-read pages 8-13. How does author Christopher Paul Curtis develop the reader’s understanding that the book’s narrator is a young person? Provide specific pieces of evidence from the text and then explain how each piece of evidence shows this.

  • Christopher Paul Curtis uses hyperbole in the following line from page 18: “I bet Byron’s lips stretched a mile before they finally let go of that mirror.” How does this use of figurative language help the reader understand Kenny as a character and narrator?

Discussion Questions

  • How would this text be different if it were told from an adult’s perspective? Would you be as interested or engaged in the book if it were written from that perspective? Explain your thinking.

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Text-based

narcissist

n.

a person who excessively admires themself

juvenile

n.

(p. 8)

a young person; (adjective) young or immature

delinquent

n.

(p. 8)

a person who regularly does illegal things

Academic

literary point of view

n.

the narrative perspective through which a story is told; most commonly first-person, second-person, third-person omniscient, or third-person limited.

hyperbole

n.

a literary device in which a narrator or character exaggerates in an obvious way that is not meant to be taken literally

point of view/perspective

n.

1. a character’s opinion or feelings about a specific topic/idea/event
2. the "lens" through which a person sees and understands the world. This is usually influenced by aspects of their identity, beliefs, and life experiences

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. 20 – 46

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Why was Kenny different from the other children? Give an example of how he was treated differently and why. 

  • Why did Kenny not like riding the school bus? Give a specific example. 

  • What was Kenny’s first impression of Rufus? Why? 

  • How does Kenny respond when Rufus sits next to him? Why does he respond this way? 

  • In what ways did Kenny and Rufus start to become friends? How did it make Kenny feel? Give two to three specific examples. 

  • What happened when Kenny used to play with LJ? Why does Christopher Paul Curtis include this anecdote? 

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Common Core Standards


  • L.6.1 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
  • RL.6.6 — Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.

Supporting Standards

L.6.4
L.6.4.b
L.6.5
L.6.5.a
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.6.4
W.6.9
W.6.9.a
W.6.10
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