Finding Your Way: The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

Describe how author Christopher Paul Curtis reveals the narrator's perspective in the first chapter of The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.

TWGTB pp. 1–7 — Chapter 1, end at "...cold can kill you!"

Standards

RL.6.6

Explain how author Christopher Paul Curtis develops the narrator's unique point of view in The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.

TWGTB pp. 7–19 — Chapter 1, start at "I didn't hear any sound. . ."

Standards

RL.6.6

Explain how Christopher Paul Curtis develops Kenny's point of view of himself and other characters.

TWGTB pp. 20–31 — Chapter 2

Standards

RL.6.6

Explain how Kenny's perspective of himself and other characters develops and changes throughout the novel.

TWGTB pp. 32–46 — Chapter 3

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.6

Unpack a prompt, study a mentor text, and gather evidence in preparation for writing a paragraph response.

TWGTB pp. 20–46 — Chapters 2 and 3

Standards

RL.6.3W.6.1W.6.5

Synthesize annotations and create a strong outline for a paragraph response.

TWGTB pp. 20–46 — Chapters 2 and 3

Standards

RL.6.3W.6.1W.6.5

Draft a paragraph response and revise for analysis.

TWGTB pp. 20–46 — Chapters 2 and 3

Standards

RL.6.3W.6.1.aW.6.1.bW.6.1.cW.6.5

Explain how and why characters respond and change in The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.

TWGTB pp. 47–63

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.6

Explain how author Christopher Paul Curtis develops the perspective of his narrator and other characters in The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.

TWGTB pp. 64–85 — Chapters 5 and 6

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.6

Provide an objective summary of a nonfiction text.

“Siblings...”

Standards

RI.6.2

Craft an objective summary of a section of text in The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.

TWGTB pp. 86–99 — Chapter 7

Standards

RL.6.2

Explain how Kenny develops and changes to drive the plot forward.

TWGTB pp. 100–120 — Chapter 8

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.4

Write an objective summary of a section of The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.

TWGTB pp. 121–137 — Chapter 9

Standards

RL.6.2

Analyze the impact of literary devices and how they help develop mood and meaning in the poem "Mother to Son."

“Mother...”

Standards

RL.6.4

Gather evidence and create an outline in response to a writing prompt.

TWGTB pp. 122–125
“Mother...”

Standards

RL.6.9W.6.1W.6.5

Draft and revise a paragraph response, focusing on writing strong claims, analysis, and introducing evidence effectively.

TWGTB pp. 122–125
“Mother...”

Standards

RL.6.9W.6.1W.6.1.aW.6.1.bW.6.1.c

Explain the purpose and impact of "The Green Book" using text, audio, and visual resources.

The Negro Motorist...
“Green Book...”

Standards

RI.6.7

Analyze how the author develops and contrasts characters' perspectives in The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.

TWGTB pp. 138–161 — Chapters 10 and 11

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.6

Explain how characters respond and change as the plot of The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963 progresses.

TWGTB pp. 162–179 — Chapters 12 and 13

Standards

RL.6.3

Unpack a prompt, study a Mentor Text, and begin a plan for rewriting a scene from The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 from a new perspective.

TWGTB pp. 12–13
TWGTB pp. 178–179

Standards

W.6.3W.6.5

Outline and draft narratives.

TWGTB pp. 178–179

Standards

W.6.3W.6.3.aW.6.3.bW.6.5

Revise narratives for descriptive language and sensory details, and identify the cases of pronouns in writing.

TWGTB pp. 178–179

Standards

L.6.1L.6.1.aW.6.3W.6.3.aW.6.3.bW.6.3.d

Analyze how Christopher Paul Curtis develops the mood in The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963.

TWGTB pp. 180–190

Standards

RL.6.4

Identify how Kenny's point of view changes throughout the novel.

TWGTB pp. 191–206 — Chapter 15

Standards

RL.6.3RL.6.6

Integrate information from the article and photos to understand the impact of segregation on African Americans in Alabama.

“'Segregation Forever'”
At Segregated...
Department Store
Segregated Laundry...
Outside Looking In

Standards

RI.6.7

Explain how Randall develops voice and perspective in the poem "The Ballad of Birmingham."

“The Ballad...”
TWGTB pp. 180–190

Standards

RL.6.6RL.6.9

Socratic Seminar

Take a clear position on a question and share evidence to support that point of view in a Socratic dialogue.

TWGTB

Standards

SL.6.1SL.6.1.aSL.6.1.bSL.6.4

Unpack the expectations of a writing task, study a mentor text, and begin to plan a personal narrative.

“The Drive-In Movies”

Standards

W.6.3W.6.5

Outline and begin to draft narratives.

“The Drive-In Movies”

Standards

W.6.3W.6.3.aW.6.5

Write strong conclusions and revise drafts for descriptive language.

“The Drive-In Movies”

Standards

W.6.3W.6.3.bW.6.3.dW.6.3.eW.6.5

Provide peer feedback and self-assess using a rubric.

“The Drive-In Movies”
Narrative Writing: Memoir (Essay) Rubric (6–8)

Standards

W.6.3W.6.5