Finding Connection: The Outsiders

Lesson 2
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ELA

Unit 4

6th Grade

Lesson 2 of 26

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


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

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A Note for Teachers


  • A passage in today's reading contains descriptions of physical violence that students may find upsetting. Consider how you will address this content with students. 
  • Ponyboy and other characters smoke a lot of cigarettes in this book. It may be useful to explain that the attitude toward smoking—and young people smoking—was different in the 1960s, because people did not fully understand the impact of smoking on health. Additionally, cigarette company advertisements specifically targeted young people (arguably something that still happens), encouraging them to take up smoking so that they would have customers for life. You may wish to discuss with students whether smoking (or vaping) still makes a person seem cool or rebellious.
  • In these lessons, "point of view" is understood to refer to the vantage point from which the story is told. When referenced, students are asked to consider the author's choice to write from a first, second, or third person point of view. "Perspective" refers to the lens through which a character sees and understands the world. When referenced, students are asked to consider a character's opinion or feelings about a specific topic or event and to consider how a character's viewpoint is influenced by aspects of their identity, beliefs, and life experiences. 

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does Hinton reveal that Ponyboy's perspective of himself is affected by the way others see him and the greasers? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • What do the first two pages of the novel reveal about Ponyboy's view of himself? What details develop his perspective? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. 

  • How does Hinton develop Ponyboy's perspective of the attack he experiences on pages 4–5? What details help the reader understand his experience? Provide examples from the text to support your answer.

  • How does Hinton develop Ponyboy's perspective of each of his brothers, Darry and Sodapop? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. 

  • How are the greasers and the Socs different from one another? What details reveal Ponyboy's perspective of these two groups? Provide examples from the text to support your answer. 

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


Text-based

grudge

n.

(p. 11)

a feeling of resentment based on something that happened in the past

reckless

adj.

(p. 7)

unconcerned about the consequences of an action; acting without caution

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. 19 – 36 — Chapter 2

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What is the setting of this chapter?

  • Who is Cherry Valance? 

  • How does Cherry react to Dally? Why?

  • What story does Ponyboy tell Cherry?

  • Who attacked Johnny in the past? What happened?

Notes for Teachers

Tonight's reading contains descriptions of a character who has endured physical violence.

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.6.1 — Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
  • RL.6.6 — Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.

Supporting Standards

L.6.1
L.6.1.e
L.6.6
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

Next

Analyze how specific sections of Chapter 2 fit into the overall structure of The Outsiders and develop the reader's understanding of characters.

Lesson 3
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