Facing Prejudice: All American Boys

Lesson 2
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ELA

Unit 1

8th Grade

Lesson 2 of 27

Objective


Analyze how the authors of All American Boys characterize Rashad and develop his perspective in Chapter 1.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely  pp. 1 – 23

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A Note for Teachers


  • This section of text contains descriptions of police brutality and may be upsetting for students. Although time is set aside during the discussion section of class to process this scene, you may wish to give students a chance to respond to this scene before they answer the Target Task or before engaging in the lesson. Consider using Learning for Justice's Toolkit for Talking About Racism and Police Violence with Students to prepare for the discussion. 
  • Today's lesson contains profanity. Emphasize respectful communication, critical thinking, and context understanding prior to engaging in today's reading. Name for students whether they should read the word aloud if reading the text for the whole group.

Target Task


Writing Prompt

What does the reader understand about the incident at Jerry's because the chapter is told from Rashad's narrative perspective? Cite specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • What can the reader infer about Rashad based on his narrative voice? What choices have the authors made in order to develop the reader's understanding of this character?

  • What does Rashad's conversation with his father on pages 7–8 reveal about both of these characters and their relationship? Cite specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

  • What does the scene in the bathroom reveal about Rashad's relationship with his friends? Provide examples from the text to support your answer.

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

colloquial language

informal, everyday speech, which may include non-standard grammatical structures, slang, and idiomatic expressions 

epigraph

a quote placed at the beginning of a book or chapter that provides context for or insight into the content that follows

perspective

the "lens" through which a character sees and understands the world. This is usually influenced by aspects of their identity, beliefs, and life experiences

Text-based

impeccable

adj.

(p. 12)

flawless

submission

n.

(p. 22)

submitting to a superior force or to the authority of another person

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. 24 – 40

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What is Quinn's family situation?

  • What happened to Quinn's father?

  • Why does Quinn meet his friends outside of Jerry's?

  • What does Quinn see when he is at Jerry's?

  • What is Quinn's relationship to Paul?

Notes for Teachers

Tonight's reading contains profanity.

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.8.3 — Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
  • RL.8.6 — Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RL.8.1
RL.8.2
RL.8.4
RL.8.10
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.1
W.8.1.a
W.8.1.b
W.8.4
W.8.9
W.8.9.a

Next

Compare Rashad and Quinn's perspectives of the assault and explain how reading both perspectives deepens the reader's understanding of the event.

Lesson 3
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