Facing Prejudice: All American Boys

Lesson 22
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 1

8th Grade

Lesson 22 of 27

Objective


Unpack the expectations of a narrative writing task, study a Mentor Text, and brainstorm possible topics.

Readings and Materials


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

  • Book: Flying Lessons & Other Stories by Ellen Oh  — Foreword

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task


Writing Prompt

Students should generate three possible topics in response to the prompt:

One of the unique features of All American Boys is the way it is structured. While most novels written in the first person are told from one character's perspective, this text has two first-person narrators. This structure gives the reader insight into both characters' experiences and understanding of the world.

In this task, you will explore the way that two people's perspectives on a specific incident can be similar and different. Write a short, first-person narrative about a significant moment in your life. You will then write the same scene but from the perspective of another person who was there. 

The tone and topic of your narratives are up to you—they can be funny, surprising, sad, thought-provoking, etc.—but must introduce a central conflict/problem, contain at least two characters, and describe a true event from your life. 

Your narratives should:

  • Introduce two narrators with distinct perspectives
  • Both be written in the first person
  • Include a beginning, middle, and end and be organized logically
  • Both be at least four paragraphs long (8 paragraphs total)
  • Both include at least two lines of dialogue
  • Include precise words and phrases, descriptive language, and sensory details

Sample Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

Homework


Select the incident you plan to write on and note down what happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the incident, and how you felt at each of these points in time.

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

Common Core Standards


  • W.8.3 — Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
  • W.8.5 — With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.

Supporting Standards

RL.8.2
RL.8.10
SL.8.6
W.8.4
W.8.10

Next

Outline and begin to draft a personal narrative.

Lesson 23
icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We've got you covered with rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free