Fleeing Conflict: Refugee & The Unwanted

Lesson 7
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ELA

Unit 5

6th Grade

Lesson 7 of 27

Objective


Describe the narrative structure of Refugee and explain how the first three chapters develop aspects of characters, setting, and plot.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Refugee by Alan Gratz  pp. 1 – 17

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What is unique about the structure of this text? 

Sample Response

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What similarities do you notice between Isabel, Josef, and Mahmoud? Provide textual evidence to support your answer. 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • How does the first chapter help to develop the setting of Josef’s story? Provide specific details from the text to support your answer and carefully explain your thinking.

  • How do pages 5-6 develop the reader’s understanding of the conflict in Josef’s story? Provide specific details from the text to support your answer and carefully explain your thinking. 

  • How does the second chapter help to develop the setting of Isabel’s story? Provide specific details from the text to support your answer and carefully explain your thinking.

  • Part 4

    How does the third chapter help to develop the setting of Mahmoud’s story? Provide specific details from the text to support your answer and carefully explain your thinking.

Discussion Questions

  • How has the war changed the way that Mahmoud behaves? Why do you think his behavior has changed?

Vocabulary


Academic

structure

n.

the way that a text is organized. 

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: Refugee by Alan Gratz  pp. 18 – 48

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Why does Josef get in trouble on the train?

  • Where is his family traveling to? Why?

  • What happens when Isabel is downtown playing her trumpet?

  • What happens to Mahmoud’s apartment building?

  • What happens when Josef arrives at the port? 

  • What has Fiden Castro announced?

  • What does Isabel’s father want to do?

  • How does Isabel's grandfather respond? 

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.6.5 — Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.

Supporting Standards

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

Next

Explain how Gratz uses figurative language, word choice, and punctuation to help develop mood and meaning. 

Lesson 8
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