Finding Connection: The Outsiders

Lesson 1
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ELA

Unit 4

6th Grade

Lesson 1 of 26

Objective


Synthesize information from multiple sources to explain teenagers' perspectives and feelings about coming of age.

Readings and Materials


  • Article: “Teen-Agers Are for Real” by S.E. Hinton 

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A Note for Teachers


  • Due to differences in scheduling and sequencing across schools, this lesson is written assuming that students will need to both read and discuss the text in class. However, if this unit is being taught in sequence, Fishtank recommends that students complete the reading for this lesson as homework prior to class so that students have more time to meaningfully engage in analysis and discussion. 
  • Both the video and the essay make references to sex, drugs, and alcohol. Contextualize for students that these topics are being addressed because of their relevance to the teenagers in these sources. Norm with students how to reference these topics in an appropriate manner within an academic discussion. 
    • Paragraphs 5 and 6, which are relevant to Key Question 1, reference sex and teenage use of drugs and alcohol. Emphasize to students that underage drinking and drug use constitutes illegal activity, even though Hinton believes they are a common teenage experience for her generation. 
    • Timestamps 0:16–0:24 of the video reference underage drinking and sex. These references are not necessary for responding to the Key Questions and can be skipped if preferred.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

What do these sources reveal about the teenage perspective and the experience of coming of age? Provide examples from both sources to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • In paragraph 12, S.E. Hinton writes, "Understanding breeds communication. There we are back at the root of the matter." What does Hinton mean by this, and how do these lines connect to other sections of the essay? ("Teen-Agers Are for Real")

  • How does the final paragraph of the essay contribute to developing Hinton's central idea that adult writers should make greater efforts to appeal to teenage readers? ("Teen-Agers Are for Real")

  • Based on the article and the video, why do teenagers often feel misunderstood and misrepresented? Provide examples from both sources to support your answer. ("Teen-Agers Are for Real" & "Typical Teenagers Talk About Life…")

Vocabulary


Text-based

idealistic

adj.

having a tendency to be guided by grand, possibly unrealistic, ideas of perfection (para. 4)

clique

n.

a narrow, exclusive group of people with shared interests or other features in common (para. 8)

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: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton  pp. 1 – 18 — Chapter 1

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What happens to Ponyboy on his walk home from the movies?

  • Who does Ponyboy live with and why?

  • How does Ponyboy escape the Socs?

  • Describe the greasers and the Socs. What is the relationship between these groups?

  • How does Ponyboy feel about each of his brothers?

Notes for Teachers

Tonight's reading contains descriptions of physical violence.

Enhanced Lesson Plan

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.6.5 — Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
  • RI.6.7 — Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

Supporting Standards

RI.6.1
RI.6.2
RI.6.4
RI.6.10
SL.6.1
SL.6.2
SL.6.6
W.6.1.a
W.6.1.b
W.6.4
W.6.8
W.6.9
W.6.9.b
W.6.10

Next

Analyze how the author develops the narrator's unique perspective in The Outsiders.

Lesson 2
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