Finding Your Way: The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

Lesson 22
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ELA

Unit 1

6th Grade

Lesson 22 of 32

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis  pp. 178 – 179

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Kenny Watson is the narrator of The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963. The reader sees the world of the novel through Kenny's eyes, gaining access to his thoughts and feelings. 
What would it be like to read the same text, but from the perspective of a different character? 

Your task is to rewrite pages 178–179 from Byron's perspective. Your story must:

  • Be at least four paragraphs long
  • Be organized logically
  • Include important events, lines of dialogue, and characters from the original text
  • Establish a unique point of view based on what you already know of Byron
  • Provide descriptive and sensory details

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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 Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis  pp. 180 – 190 — Chapter 14

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Where does Joey go on Sunday morning? Does Kenny go with her?

  • What has happened at the church?

  • What does Kenny do when he gets to the church? Why?

  • Who does Kenny believe he sees in the church?

  • What does Kenny believe has happened to Joey?

  • What has actually happened to Joey?

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Common Core Standards


  • L.6.1 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
  • L.6.1.a — Ensure that pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, possessive).
  • W.6.3 — Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
  • W.6.3.a — Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
  • W.6.3.b — Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
  • W.6.3.d — Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.

Supporting Standards

L.6.2
L.6.2.b
L.6.6
RL.6.10
SL.6.1
SL.6.6
W.6.4
W.6.5
W.6.10

Next

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

Lesson 23
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