Facing Prejudice: All American Boys

Lesson 20
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ELA

Unit 1

8th Grade

Lesson 20 of 27

Objective


Determine themes in All American Boys and explain how they are developed over the course of the text. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely  — Whole Text

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A Note for Teachers


  • Today's lesson contains profanity. Emphasize respectful communication, critical thinking, and an understanding of context for this language 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.
  • As a part of intellectual preparation, revisit student answers in the Anticipation Guide (G8, U1, L1), paying particular attention to questions 5 and 8 to prepare for the Target Task, and questions 1 and 2 to prepare for the Key Questions. Based on student responses, determine how to guide students through the conversations related to today's lesson.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

All American Boys explores thematic topics of race, racism, and awareness. Determine the theme that is developed for one of these topics in All American Boys. What specific choices do the authors make to develop this theme?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • What are two thematic topics central to All American Boys? Explain how these thematic topics are explored in the text.

  • What theme do Reynolds and Kiely develop in All American Boys on the topic of "loyalty"? How do they develop this theme?

  • What theme do Reynolds and Kiely develop in All American Boys on the topic of "injustice"? What specific details or events from the text help to develop this theme?

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


Literary Terms

thematic topic

a one- or two-word phrase that describes the overarching topic of a text or section of text

theme

the author's message in the text about the way the world works or what it means to be human

Homework


Prepare for tomorrow's Socratic Seminar. Review the discussion questions and gather sufficient evidence.

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How does race influence the way that people see others? How does this shape behavior?

  • What does the novel suggest about the power of protest and activism? In what ways do the characters in the novel—not just Quinn and Rashad—resist racial injustice?

  • Why is the novel titled All American Boys? What messages does the novel offer about the meaning of the term "All American"? 

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.8.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.

Supporting Standards

RL.8.1
RL.8.10
SL.8.6
W.8.4
W.8.10

Next

Respond to a question with a clear claim and share evidence to support that claim in a Socratic dialogue.

Lesson 21
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