Facing Prejudice: All American Boys

Lesson 4
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ELA

Unit 1

8th Grade

Lesson 4 of 29

Objective


Explain how racism and racial bias shape the way that characters in All American Boys—and people more generally—are viewed.

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

In the video, "A Conversation about Growing Up Black," one young man—Bisa—says, "The way people perceive you is not up to you." (2:14-2:20)

  • How would Rashad’s father respond to this idea? Provide at least one piece of evidence from pages 49-52 to support your answer.
  • How would Spoony respond to this statement? Provide at least one piece of evidence from pages 52-53 and 60 to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • Summarize how the young Black men in the video feel that the (white) world perceives them.

  • How do these young men describe their experiences and relationship with law enforcement?

  • What does Jumoke mean when he says, "We’re starting to be dehumanized," at minute 2:54?

  • How do these young men describe the experience of growing up Black in America? How do they feel about themselves and the world around them?

Discussion Questions

  • Why do you think that Rashad’s father is so hard on his sons? Does the video we watched today change your understanding of his behavior?

Vocabulary


Text-based

dehumanize

v.

To make someone feel or appear less than human; to deny that someone is fully human and treat them that way

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.8.3 — Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories).
  • RL.8.3 — Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RI.8.1
RI.8.2
RI.8.4
RI.8.10
RL.8.1
RL.8.2
RL.8.4
RL.8.10
SL.8.1
SL.8.2
SL.8.3
SL.8.6
W.8.1
W.8.1.a
W.8.1.b
W.8.9
W.8.9.a
W.8.9.b
W.8.10
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Lesson Map

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