The 12th grade learning experience consists of 7 mostly month-long units aligned to the Common Core State Standards, with available course material for teachers and students easily accessible online. Over the course of the year there is a steady progression in text complexity levels, sophistication of writing tasks, speaking and listening activities, and increased opportunities for independent and collaborative work. Rubrics and student models accompany many writing assignments.Throughout the 12th grade year, in addition to the Common Read texts that the whole class reads together, students each select an Independent Reading book and engage with peers in group Book Talks. Language study is embedded in every 12th grade unit as students use annotation to closely review aspects of each text. Teacher resources provide additional materials to support each unit.

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 lesson, students will analyze Reverend Smith’s approach, contrasting it with Mr. Brown’s. They will think about why Chinua Achebe would include such an opposite pair of characters, and whether there are any other such opposites in the novel. Finally, students will prepare for another discussion.

This video captures children and their yoga instructor working as a group to complete various yoga poses. Together, they use their whole bodies to stretch, breathe and improve posture with moves that involve using the people next to them. [3:38]

Celebrate what makes you different, your hair! Segi and Mando sing about loving their hair in both English and Spanish. [2:17]

Rob Pene was born in American Samoa and came to the United States on a baseball scholarship. Unsuccessful in his major-league tryouts, he pursues his passion through an urban ministry. He also writes and performs Christian rap. The sudden death of his father challenges Pene's commitment to his chosen path. A discussion guide and lesson plan for teachers are included. [9:21]

This film tells the story of Steven Gamez who is studying to become a Catholic Priest. Steven is a Tejano (Texan-Mexican), born and raised on San Antonio's rough West Side. He dreams of returning to his neighborhood and serving the poor. A lesson plan and discussion guide for teachers are included. [10:30]

In this video from Let's Learn, Lunisol Tavarez and a young helper talk about how we are both alike and different. [14:38]

Michael Buble croons about confidence and task persistence with Elmo and Abby Cadabby. You should always believe in yourself! [2:01]

An editorial and four poems that explore African American strivings for self-esteem in the late-nineteenth century. All documents referenced within this resource attempt to shine a light on African American self-image and identity.

Recognize negative aspects of advertising and how advertising exploits young people. Examine how the media tries to define a person's style, values and ideas, and take a stand against negative media images.

In this digital game, children can dress up all their favorite friends from Peg + Cat. Get Peg, Cat, and friends all dressed up in the silliest of outfits, of course! Shuffle up the clothes they're wearing by clicking the arrows. Also includes a printable activity for making your own stick puppet friends.

Learn how to release stressors and relax through a variety of yoga poses. With their instructor leading them, children lie on their mats and perform stretches and poses such as the supported shoulder stand and twists to reach a state of deep relaxation. [5:41]

Using this Cool It! video, children learn the art of goal setting. The instructor, Kelsey, gives the group some categories, such as friends/family and school/education, to choose from and visualize/write what they want to have or change within that category. [4:30]

An inspirational anthem that encourages girls to dream big! Girls can change the world and be anything they want to be. This resource teaches self-empowerment. [1:37]

Big Bird is tall and yellow with big orange feet, and he's happy to be the way he is! This inspiring song focuses on self-pride. [1:05]

A catchy tune about loving your natural hair! Segi learns to embrace the hair she's got. Whether it's in a clip or nothing at all, she loves her hair as it is! This video encourages self-pride and embracing our differences. [1:55]