Facing Prejudice: All American Boys (2020)

Lesson 17
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ELA

Unit 6

8th Grade

Lesson 17 of 29

Objective


Determine the technical meaning of words using context clues and reference texts to develop an understanding of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Read the following paragraph from the Right to Peaceful Assembly.

The First Amendment does not provide the right to conduct an assembly at which there is a clear and present danger of riot, disorder, or interference with traffic on public streets, or other immediate threat to public safety or order. Statutes that prohibit people from assembling and using force or violence to accomplish unlawful purposes are permissible under the First Amendment.

Underline words and phrases that are not familiar to you—or are used in an unfamiliar way—and use context clues and then reference texts to determine the meaning of these words. Then, rewrite these sentences in your own words.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • Using context clues, what is the meaning of the word "abridge" as used in the First Amendment?

    Using a dictionary, what meaning of the word "abridge" is being used in this context?

    Rewrite this excerpt in your own words: "or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press."

  • What is the meaning of the word "peaceably" as used in the First Amendment? What kind of assembly is permitted? What kind of assembly is not protected by the First Amendment?

  • Read the following sentences from "Right to Peaceful Assembly": The right to assemble is not, however, absolute. Government officials cannot simply prohibit a public assembly in their own discretion, but the government can impose restrictions on the time, place, and manner of peaceful assembly, provided that constitutional safeguards are met. Underline words that are not familiar to you—or are used in an unfamiliar way—and use context clues and reference texts to determine the meaning of these words. Then, rewrite these sentences in your own words.

Discussion Questions

  • How does the First Amendment—and Supreme Court decisions regarding the First Amendment—relate to All American Boys?

    • What would you make sure that Quinn and Rashad understood about their rights?
    • What would you make sure that Quinn and Rashad understood about the limits of their rights?

Exit Ticket

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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: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely  pp. 269 – 296

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What is different about the drawing that Rashad leaves for Clarissa?

  • What does Rashad see when he goes on the internet? How does this make him feel?

  • Why does Quinn call the police department?

  • What happens at the protest?

  • Why do they read names aloud over the loudspeaker?

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Common Core Standards


  • L.8.4.a — Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
  • L.8.4.c — Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
  • L.8.4.d — Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
  • RI.8.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RI.8.10
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.4
W.8.9
W.8.9.b
W.8.10

Next

Draw conclusions about Quinn and Rashad’s perspectives based on what they say and do in All American Boys.

Lesson 18
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