Unit 1: Ourselves and Others
Objectives
Students will read, annotate, and discuss complex literary and informational texts (specifically focusing on character motivation, character development, tone, and theme), before synthesizing their analyses of the texts in order to create an analytical essay, so that they can explore how we interact with other people – family, enemies, neighbors, strangers, and those with whom we disagree. Students will be successful if they score at least a 3 on the essay rubric.
Essential Questions
1. What is community and what are the individual’s responsibilities to the community as well as the community’s responsibilities to the individual?
2. How do past experiences impact people's points of view?
3. How does word choice affect meaning and tone?
2. How do past experiences impact people's points of view?
3. How does word choice affect meaning and tone?
Texts
from “Texas v Johnson Majority Opinion” by William J. Brennan (Court Opinion - 1420L)
“American Flag Stands for Tolerance” by Ronald J. Allen (Editorial - (1170L)
“What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?” by Etgar Keret (Short Story - 900L)
“The Wife’s Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin (Short Story - 880L)
“Without Title” by Diane Glancy (Poem - N/A)
“American Flag Stands for Tolerance” by Ronald J. Allen (Editorial - (1170L)
“What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?” by Etgar Keret (Short Story - 900L)
“The Wife’s Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin (Short Story - 880L)
“Without Title” by Diane Glancy (Poem - N/A)
Discussion Skills
1. Tracking the Speaker
2. Giving Snaps
2. Giving Snaps
End of Unit Assessments
Informational Essay:
What is community and what are the individual’s responsibilities to the community as well as the community’s responsibilities to the individual?
After critically reading the texts in this collection, write an essay in which you synthesize the lessons learned from how several writers or characters explored the importance of accepting people who are different. Be sure to use specific textual evidence from several sources studied in this unit to justify your response.
What is community and what are the individual’s responsibilities to the community as well as the community’s responsibilities to the individual?
After critically reading the texts in this collection, write an essay in which you synthesize the lessons learned from how several writers or characters explored the importance of accepting people who are different. Be sure to use specific textual evidence from several sources studied in this unit to justify your response.
