Finding Connection: The Outsiders

Lesson 4
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ELA

Unit 4

6th Grade

Lesson 4 of 26

Objective


Synthesize information from multiple sources to explain what factors influence individuals' decisions.

Readings and Materials


  • Article: “Are You Following the Herd?” by Holly Corbett 

  • Infographic: Teens & Peer Pressure Infographic by Fishtank Staff 

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How do these sources develop your understanding of how the greasers and the Socs are influenced by herd mentality? Provide examples from the novel and the articles to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • How does herd mentality impact teens' decision-making? Cite information from both sources to support your answer. ("Are You Following the Herd?" & "Teens & Peer Pressure Infographic") 

  • According to Oscar Bulkstein, "The most dangerous kind of peer pressure is the influence you don't really notice" (p. 4). What does Bulkstein mean by this? How does the section "On Auto-Pilot" contribute to the development of this idea? ("Are You Following the Herd?")

  • What is the purpose of the sidebar "Mob Madness!"? How does it add to the readers' understanding of herd mentality? ("Are You Following the Herd?")

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Text-based

susceptible

adj.

easily affected, influenced, or harmed by something (para. 8)

Literary Terms

sidebar

provides extra pieces of information or elaborates on details mentioned in the text;  separate from the main section of text, usually on the bottom or side; gives the reader additional information or another point of view

statistic

a fact or piece of data represented in the form of numbers

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. 37 – 52 — Chapter 3

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How would you describe Cherry and Ponyboy's relationship? Why?

  • Who is Bob?

  • What happened to Ponyboy's parents?

  • What does Darry do when Ponyboy gets home late?

  • Why does Ponyboy decide that he wants to run away at the end of the chapter?

Notes for Teachers

Tonight's reading contains mentions of suicide and child abuse.

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
RL.6.9
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 characters' perspectives and explain how events in this chapter lead to a change in Ponyboy's perspective.

Lesson 5
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