Finding Connection: The Outsiders

Lesson 20
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ELA

Unit 4

6th Grade

Lesson 20 of 26

Objective


Analyze how the author develops the tone and meaning of the poem "We Real Cool" and how the poem explores similar themes as The Outsiders.

Readings and Materials


  • Poem: “We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks 

  • Book: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton 

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How do the poem "We Real Cool" and the novel The Outsiders convey similar themes about coming of age? Provide examples from both texts to support your answer. 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • How do the speakers of the poem view themselves? How does Brooks develop their perspective? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. ("We Real Cool") 

  • What words and phrases contribute to developing the tone of the poem? How and when does the tone of the poem shift? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. ("We Real Cool") 

  • How does Brooks' use of sound contribute to conveying a deeper meaning in the poem? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. ("We Real Cool") 

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


Literary Terms

alliteration

the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close to one another in a piece of writing

rhyme

when two or more words have the same ending sound, especially when these are used at the ends of lines of poetry

rhythm

the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that creates a beat and pace for the poem

Homework


  • Prepare for tomorrow's Socratic Seminar. Review the discussion questions and gather sufficient evidence.

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How does being understood and accepted by others shape a person's life and identity? 

  • How do stereotypes and prejudices influence the way we see others and ourselves?

  • What factors influence our decisions, and how do our significant decisions define us?

  • What do the texts in this unit reveal about the experience of coming of age?

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.6.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
  • RL.6.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
  • RL.6.9 — Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Supporting Standards

L.6.5
L.6.6
RL.6.1
RL.6.7
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

Engage in a Socratic dialogue with peers, responding directly to others by rephrasing and delineating arguments and posing clarifying questions.

Lesson 21
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Lesson Map

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