In this lesson, students will explore the uses of the digital course in the classroom and consider how it will help them as learners this year.
In our lives, we are constantly telling stories to ourselves and to others in an attempt to both understand our experiences and present our best selves to others. But how do we tell a story about ourselves that is both true and positive? How do we hold ourselves up in the best possible light, while still being honest about our struggles and our flaws? Students will explore ways of interpreting and portraying personal experiences. They'll read Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart , analyzing the text through the eyes of one character. They'll get to know that character's flaws and strengths, and they'll tell part of the story from that character's perspective, doing their best to tell an honest tale that presents their character's best side. Then they'll explore their own stories, crafting a personal narrative about an important moment of learning in his or her life.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Students read and analyze Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart , viewing the events and conflicts of the novel through the eyes of one of the central characters.
Students write a two-part narrative project: one narrative told through their character’s perspective and one personal narrative about an incident in their own life.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
These questions are a guide to stimulate thinking, discussion, and writing on the themes and ideas in the unit. For complete and thoughtful answers and for meaningful discussions, students must use evidence based on careful reading of the texts.
How do our conflicts shape and show our character?
How can we tell a story about ourselves that’s both honest and positive?
How do definitions of justice change depending on the culture you live in?
What are ways individuals can react to a changing world? To a community that doesn’t accept us?
BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT: Cold Read
During this unit, on a day of your choosing, we recommend you administer a Cold Read to assess students’ reading comprehension. For this assessment, students read a text they have never seen before and then respond to multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. The assessment is not included in this course materials.
In this activity, the students will investigate if two chords intersect in a circle, then the products of the measures of the segments of the chords are equal.
A look into the terrorist networks webbing their way throughout the world. Tells the story of three of the September 11th hijackers and how they were able to elude United States intelligence.
An account of the trial of Galileo, who was brought before the Roman Inquisition in the early 1600s.
Find more than a dozen spelling games to reinforce vocabulary on a range of levels and topics (from musical instruments to climate terms). Players unscramble words using definitions as clues.
Provides much general information and detailed facts about the sparsely populated Central American country of Belize.
Match the vocabulary term with the definition to reinforce and practice your vocabulary terms. View the list of terms before beginning to become familiar with the words and improve your score. Users must enable Javascript.
How can you be trustworthy? Find simple ways to be a trustworthy person, discussion questions, and activity ideas. This website accompanies a video from "The Six Pillars of Character" video series, but can be used by itself or as part of a larger lesson plan on character development and trust. Includes tips for parents.
Attack the Knack — investigates student motivation in science, and explores how the types of feedback students receive can influence self-perception, effort, persistence and learning. Explore the research: http://s.si.edu/1IwH5zS
Looks at how students learn both in and out of school, and how teachers can tap into misconceptions to facilitate the formation of new ideas. [6:26]
Research has shown that teaching students directly to their preferred learning styles does not really improve their performance. Instead, we should teach a topic (in this case science) in a variety of ways for all students. [7:17]
Detailed information given as to most effective way to read and use a dance manual. Includes video (requires Quicktime).
Strategies for teaching critical skills while navigating today's polarized climate.
An I Spy game played while driving somewhere. The book includes audio narration in 17 additional languages with text in English.
Adjectives are the words we use to modify nouns. David explains how, with the help of a bear.
Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.
Practice jumping and landing with both of their feet in this gym-class activity, which requires students to solve simple math problems. Materials required include: hoops, cards, dice, jump ropes, cones, music, and worksheets.
The bane of a teenager's existence--acne--is the topic of this informative article. You'll probably learn more than you really wanted to know about it, but the facts are presented in an interesting way. There's even a video to watch.
If you need to get stitches, this article will explain the procedure and how you should take care of your wound. From KidsHealth.
A colorful, interactive site for kids and teens. A holistic approach to learning about your body, including topics such as feelings, drugs, injuries, and other health issues. Available in Spanish.