Curriculum / ELA / 6th Grade / Unit 4: Finding Connection: The Outsiders / Lesson 19
ELA
Unit 4
6th Grade
Lesson 19 of 26
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Explain how poet Gwendolyn Brooks uses literary devices to develop tone and meaning in the poem, “We Real Cool.”
Poem: “We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks
Video: “We Real Cool”
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved
In the video, Brooks talks about the fact that when she saw the boys in the pool hall, she wondered, “I wonder how they feel about themselves.” The poem is an attempt to answer that question.
How do the boys in the pool hall feel about themselves? Consider the entire poem and provide specific evidence from the text to support your answer.
An example response to the Target Task at the level of detail expected of the students.
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
What is the setting of this poem? How do you know?
Who is the speaker in this poem? How do you know?
What do you notice about the way the poem sounds? What literary devices does Brooks use? Provide examples.
What is the impact of these literary devices (related to the way the poem sounds)?
What is the tone of the first three stanzas of the poem? Provide evidence to support your answer.
How does the tone change in the last stanza of the poem? Explain your thinking.
How does this poem relate to The Outsiders? How does it relate to the article we read yesterday?
Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text
literary device
n.
any writing technique an author uses to develop and convey deeper meaning in a text.
stanza
a grouping of lines in a poem, separated from the next grouping by a line space.
speaker
the "voice" of the poem.
alliteration
the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close to one another in a piece of writing.
Reading and/or task to be completed at home in preparation for the next lesson.
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.
Article: “Why It’s Hard to Be a Poor Boy With Richer Neighbors” by Dana Goldstein
While reading, answer the following questions.
What did Aaliyah do instead of fighting with Marquita?
How did they solve their problem?
Why did schools start using programs like "peace rooms"?
In what other situations is restorative justice being used?
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L.6.5 — Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
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.
Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit
L.6.6 — Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
RL.6.1 — Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RL.6.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RL.6.7 — Compare and contrast the experience of reading a story, drama, or poem to listening to or viewing an audio, video, or live version of the text, including contrasting what they "see" and "hear" when reading the text to what they perceive when they listen or watch.
RL.6.9 — Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.
RL.6.10 — By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6—8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
SL.6.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
SL.6.6 — Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
W.6.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
W.6.1.a — Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.
W.6.1.b — Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
W.6.4 — Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W.6.9 — Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.6.9.a — Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres [e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories] in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics").
W.6.10 — Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Lesson 18
Lesson 20
Explain how S. E. Hinton begins to develop the narrator’s point of view in The Outsiders.
RL.6.6
Explain how specific sections of Chapter 2 fit into the overall structure of The Outsiders and develop the reader’s understanding of characters.
L.6.1 L.6.1.e RL.6.5
Explain how Hinton continues to develop Ponyboy’s point of view and identify how and why his point of view changes.
L.6.1 L.6.1.e RL.6.3 RL.6.6
Explain how specific scenes and lines of text fit into the overall structure of The Outsiders and move the plot forward.
RL.6.5
Compare and contrast setting elements and scenes from The Outsiders with the film version and describe the experience of viewing the film.
RL.6.7
Explain how Hinton continues to develop Ponyboy’s point of view, and identify how and why his point of view changes.
RL.6.3 RL.6.6
Determine the theme of “Nothing Gold Can Stay” and explain how poet Robert Frost uses literary devices to develop that theme.
L.6.5 RL.6.2 RL.6.4
Explain how Hinton develops different characters’ perspectives and analyze how and why characters’ perspectives change.
Explain how Hinton develops different characters’ perspectives and analyze how and why characters’ perspectives change in response to plot events.
Writing
Gather information and create an outline for a fictional diary entry written from Cherry Valance's perspective.
W.6.3 W.6.5
Draft a diary entry written from Cherry Valance's perspective, focusing on using precise words and descriptive language.
W.6.3
Explain how Hinton develops mood in significant scenes in this chapter, and how this chapter fits into the overall structure of The Outsiders.
RL.6.4 RL.6.5
Explain how Hinton develops Ponyboy’s point of view and his reactions to plot events.
Explain how Hinton develops Ponyboy’s perspective, and identify how and why his perspective has changed.
Identify characters' perspectives and explain how and why they change in Chapter 12 of The Outsiders.
RL.6.2
Compare and contrast scenes from The Outsiders with the film version and describe the experience of viewing the film.
Determine the meaning of unknown words in an informational article using context clues and Greek/Latin roots.
L.6.4 L.6.4.a L.6.4.b RI.6.4
L.6.5 RL.6.4
Determine the meaning of unknown words through context clues, and then successfully use those words in their own writing.
L.6.4 L.6.4.a L.6.6 RI.6.4
Socratic Seminar
Engage in a Socratic Seminar with peers, responding directly to others by rephrasing and delineating arguments and posing clarifying questions.
SL.6.1 SL.6.1.d SL.6.3 SL.6.4
Unpack a writing prompt, study a mentor text, and begin to brainstorm ideas for narratives.
Create a plot outline for a sequel to The Outsiders.
RL.6.5 W.6.3 W.6.3.a W.6.5
Identify the features of a text's exposition and draft one exposition paragraph.
W.6.3 W.6.3.a W.6.3.b W.6.3.d W.6.5
Write four exposition paragraphs of a sequel to The Outsiders.
Assessment – 2 days
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