Curriculum  /  ELA  /  6th Grade  /  Unit 5: Fleeing Conflict: Refugee & The Unwanted  /  Lesson 1

Fleeing Conflict: Refugee & The Unwanted

Lesson 1
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ELA

Unit 5

6th Grade

Lesson 1 of 27

Objective

Define important terms related to this unit and determine the technical meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues and reference texts. 

Readings and Materials

  • Article: “Refugee” by Diane Boudreau, Melissa McDaniel, Erin Sprout, Andrew Turgeon  — stop before "Environmental Refugees"

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Target Task

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Writing Prompt

Read the following passage from the United Nations' Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees:

"CONSIDERING that many persons still leave their country of origin for reasons of persecution and are entitled to special protection on account of their position,

RECOMMENDS that Governments continue to receive refugees in their territories and that they act in concert in a true spirit of international cooperation in order that these refugees may find asylum and the possibility of resettlement."

Source: Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees by UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency).

a.   What is the definition of the word “concert” as it is used above?

  1. A.   (noun): a musical performance given in public

  2. B.   (noun): together; in agreement

  3. C.   (verb): to arrange

b.   Underline unfamiliar words (or words that are used in unfamiliar ways) in the passage in Part A. Use context clues to take your best guess at their meaning, then look up the words in a reference text.

c.   In your own words, how does the United Nations hope that other countries will treat refugees? 

Sample Response

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Key Questions

Close Read Questions

  • In your own words, define what it means to be a "refugee."

  • In the second paragraph, the text uses the word “convention.” This word has several different meanings. Based on context clues, which definition of the word “convention” do you think is being used here?

    1.   (noun): a custom; the way something is usually done
    2.   (noun): an agreement between countries
    3.   (noun): a large meeting of people, generally in the same profession or sharing a common interest

  • In your own words, define what "asylum" is and why it is important.

  • Read through the remainder of the article and underline any words that you do not know or are uncertain about. Then circle two to three of these words that you think are most important for understanding this article.

  • Using context clues, write a “best guess” for what each of these words might mean. 

  • Using a dictionary, check your rough definitions and note down the exact definition of each word.

Discussion Questions

  • What questions do you have as we begin this unit about refugees? What do you hope you will learn by the end of the unit?

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary

Text-based

refugee

n.

a person who has been forced to leave their home or country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

asylum

n.

the protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their native country as a refugee.

persecute

v.

to treat someone badly, especially because of their race, sexual orientation, political, or religious beliefs

Homework

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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. 1 – 19

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What event sparks the protests in Dara’a?

  • Who is the leader of Syria? What kind of leader is he?

  • What are protesters asking for?

  • How does the government respond to the protests?

  • According to the text, what do many people decide to do after the civil war begins?

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Common Core Standards

  • L.6.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
  • L.6.4.a — Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
  • L.6.4.c — Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
  • L.6.4.d — Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
  • RI.6.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.

Supporting Standards

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

Next

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.

Lesson 2
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