Facing Prejudice: All American Boys

Lesson 3
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ELA

Unit 1

8th Grade

Lesson 3 of 27

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely  pp. 24 – 40

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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.
  • Quinn's father was killed in Afghanistan and the chapter mentions how he was "blown up in Afghanistan" (p. 27). If needed, preview this with students prior to reading the chapter. 

Target Task


Writing Prompt

On pages 37–38, the reader experiences Rashad's assault again, this time from Quinn's narrative perspective. What does the reader understand about the situation that Quinn does not? What does seeing the assault through Quinn's eyes help the reader better understand?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • What do the following lines of text reveal about Quinn and how he feels about the way the world views him? 

    "When the IED got him in Afghanistan, he became an instant saint in Springfield. I wasn't him. I'd never be him. But I was supposed to try. That was my role: the dutiful son, the All-American boy with an All-American fifteen-foot deadeye jumpshot and an All-American 3.5 GPA." (p. 27)

  • Compare the following quotes from Chapters 1 and 2. What do these lines suggest about the differences between Rashad and Quinn's experiences of the world? 

    • Quinn's perspective: "No one's going to get suspicious. We've scored beer here more times than I can count." (p. 32) 
    • Rashad's perspective: "... the guy behind the counter looked up like he always did, then stepped out from behind the counter, like he always did. 'Wassup, man,' I said. He nodded suspiciously. Like he always did." (p. 17)
  • What does the scene on pages 32–36 reveal about Quinn's relationship with his friends? Provide examples from the text to support your answer.

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


Text-based

transfixed

adj.

(p. 38)

motionless with horror, shock, or wonder; unable to look away

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. 43 – 60

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What is Rashad charged with?

  • How is Rashad feeling?

  • What assumptions does Rashad's father make about what happened in Jerry's?

  • Describe Spoony's relationship with his father.

  • How does Spoony react to Rashad's story?

  • Why is Spoony interested in finding footage of the assault?

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
W.8.10

Next

Explain how racism and racial bias shape the way that characters in All American Boys—and people more generally—are viewed.

Lesson 4
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