Finding Connection: The Outsiders

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

“Teen-Agers Are for Real”
“Typical Teenagers Talk About Teenage Life In 1966”

Standards

RI.6.5RI.6.7

Analyze how the author develops the narrator's unique perspective.

The Outsiders pp. 1–18 — Chapter 1

Standards

RL.6.1RL.6.6

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

The Outsiders pp. 19–36 — Chapter 2

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.5

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

“Are You Following the Herd?”
Teens and Peer Pressure

Standards

RI.6.5RI.6.7

Analyze how the author develops characters' perspectives through significant events.

The Outsiders pp. 37–52 — Chapter 3

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.6

Explain how specific lines and scenes fit into the overall structure of the text and help advance the plot.

The Outsiders pp. 1–67 — Chapters 1 – 4

Standards

RL.6.5

Compare and contrast setting elements and scenes from The Outsiders with the film version and describe the experience of viewing the film.

The Outsiders pp. 1–67 — Chapters 1 – 4
The Outsiders — 0:00:00 – 0:28:49

Standards

RL.6.1RL.6.7

Analyze how the author develops the narrator's perspective through important scenes in the text.

The Outsiders pp. 68–84 — Chapter 5

Standards

RL.6.1RL.6.6

Determine the theme of "Nothing Gold Can Stay" and analyze how the author uses literary devices to develop that theme.

“Nothing Gold Can Stay”
The Outsiders pp. 77–78

Standards

L.6.5RL.6.2RL.6.4

Analyze how significant events and interactions shape the protagonist's perspective of his family, friends, and himself.

The Outsiders pp. 85–99 — Chapter 6

Standards

RL.6.1RL.6.3RL.6.6

Analyze how key events lead to new understandings and reveal changes in characters' perspectives.

The Outsiders pp. 100–118 — Chapter 7

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.6

Analyze how the author develops characters' internal conflicts and perspectives.

The Outsiders pp. 119–130 — Chapter 8

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.6

Writing

Overview

Write an original narrative that develops the relationship between two characters and conveys what they learn from each other.

Day 1 - Planning

Plan a narrative by mapping two well-developed characters and determining how their traits and motivations will shape the plot.

Day 2 - Drafting / Language

Narrative Brainstorming Page (G6, U4, L13)
Narrative Graphic Organizer (G6–8)

Standards

W.6.3W.6.3.a

Draft a narrative beginning that introduces characters through descriptive details and nonrestrictive clauses.

Narrative Brainstorming Page (G6, U4, L13)
Narrative Graphic Organizer (G6–8)

Standards

L.6.2.aW.6.3.a

Day 3 - Drafting

Draft scenes that use dialogue to reveal character traits and develop relationships.

Narrative Brainstorming Page (G6, U4, L13)
Narrative Graphic Organizer (G6–8)

Standards

W.6.3.b

Day 4 - Drafting

Draft plot events using transitions and time shifts to control pacing.

Narrative Brainstorming Page (G6, U4, L13)
Narrative Graphic Organizer (G6–8)
Narrative Pacing Reference Sheet (G6–8)

Standards

W.6.3.bW.6.3.c

Day 5 - Revising

Revise the beginning and ending of the narrative by adding descriptive details that reveal the characters' development.

Narrative Graphic Organizer (G6–8)

Standards

W.6.3.dW.6.3.eW.6.5

Compare and contrast the experience of reading The Outsiders with viewing the film version, and analyze how the author develops mood in significant scenes.

The Outsiders pp. 131–149 — Chapter 9
The Outsiders — (1:09:48–1:12:17)

Standards

RL.6.1RL.6.4RL.6.7

Analyze how the author reveals and develops the narrator's perspective.

The Outsiders pp. 150–160 — Chapter 10

Standards

RL.6.4RL.6.6

Explain how the protagonist responds to significant events and how his perspective shifts as the story nears its resolution.

The Outsiders pp. 161–166 — Chapter 11

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.6

Analyze how the narrator's perspective changes in response to significant events and explain how these changes develop the story's central ideas.

The Outsiders pp. 167–180 — Chapter 12

Standards

RL.6.2RL.6.3RL.6.6

Compare and contrast scenes from The Outsiders with the film version and describe the experience of viewing the film.

The Outsiders pp. 141–179
The Outsiders — (1:12:25–1:27:44)

Standards

RL.6.1RL.6.7

Analyze how tone and meaning are developed in "We Real Cool" and how its themes connect to those in The Outsiders.

“We Real Cool”
The Outsiders

Standards

RL.6.2RL.6.4RL.6.9

Socratic Seminar

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

Standards

SL.6.1SL.6.1.dSL.6.3SL.6.4

Writing

Overview

Write an argumentative essay that takes a clear position on whether The Outsiders is relevant to modern readers and supports the claim with an analysis of evidence from the novel.

Day 1 - Planning

Create an outline that states a clear claim and provides sufficient, relevant evidence for each supporting reason.

Argumentative Brainstorming Page (G6, U4, L21)
Argumentative Multi-Paragraph Outline (G6–8)

Standards

W.6.1W.6.1.aW.6.1.b

Day 2 - Drafting

Draft an introduction and a conclusion that establish and maintain a formal tone and style.

Argumentative Brainstorming Page (G6, U4, L21)
Argumentative Multi-Paragraph Outline (G6–8)

Standards

W.6.1.aW.6.1.dW.6.1.e

Day 3 - Drafting

Draft body paragraphs that include strong analysis of how specific text details support and develop the argument.

Day 4 - Revising / Language

Argumentative Multi-Paragraph Outline (G6–8)

Standards

W.6.1.bW.6.1.c

Revise the essay by adding nonrestrictive and restrictive clauses that strengthen the argument.

Standards

L.6.2.aW.6.1.cW.6.5