Fleeing Conflict: Refugee & The Unwanted

Lesson 2
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ELA

Unit 5

6th Grade

Lesson 2 of 27

Objective


Define significant terms essential for understanding graphic novels, and explain how Brown uses text and illustrations to develop the reader’s understanding of the conflict in Syria.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown  pp. 1 – 19

  • Website: How to Read Comics by Tracy Edmunds 

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Why did many people make the decision to flee their homes and leave Syria? Provide evidence from both the text and images to explain your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • How do pages 2 through 5 develop your understanding of the setting? Why did Brown most likely open the text with these images? Support your answer with specific details from these pages.

  • How does Brown use text and images on pages 8-9 to communicate the public’s response to the imprisonment of the Dara’a boys? Provide at least two details from these pages to support your answer.

  • How does Brown use text and images to communicate the hardships that people face as they flee Syria? Provide details from text and images on pages 14 through 17.

Vocabulary


Text-based

dignity

n.

(p. 7)

the quality of being worthy of respect

flee

v.

(p. 14)

to run away urgently from danger

Academic

graphic novel

n.

a book-length comic

splash page

n.

a comic book page that is mostly or entirely taken up by a single image or panel.

narrative box

n.

a rectangle or square–often at the top or bottom of a panel–in which a narrator of a comic shares information with readers.

speech bubble

n.

a (generally) circular or oval outline within a comic panel that contains a character's dialogue and indicates who is speaking.

frame

n.

the edge or outlined border of a specific panel in a comic

gutter

n.

the space between panels in a comic

panel

n.

a single drawing depicting a specific moment in a comic; generally bordered by a square or rectangular frame.

Notes


  • Today’s reading includes descriptions of violence, torture, and war. Although the images are not overtly graphic, students may find these passages upsetting. Leave students time during class to process the information in the book and be particularly mindful of your own students’ backgrounds and experiences and how they might be affected by this text. 

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 Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown  pp. 20 – 45

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Who is ISIS? How do they behave toward civilians?

  • What is a smuggler?

  • What are the risks of traveling by boat?

  • How are many refugees treated along their journey? How do people behave toward them?

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.6.3 — Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
  • RI.6.5 — Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.

Supporting Standards

L.6.6
RI.6.1
RI.6.2
RI.6.4
RI.6.7
RI.6.10
SL.6.1
SL.6.6
W.6.1.a
W.6.2
W.6.2.b
W.6.4
W.6.9
W.6.9.b
W.6.10
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