Encountering Evil: Night

Lesson 19
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ELA

Unit 2

8th Grade

Lesson 19 of 28

Objective


Explain how Wiesel develops central ideas in his speech, The Perils of Indifference.

Readings and Materials


  • Speech: “The Perils of Indifference” by Elie Wiesel 

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A Note for Teachers


Today's lesson contains sensitive content that may be upsetting or triggering for students. Emphasize respectful communication, critical thinking, and context understanding prior to engaging in today's reading. Name for students resources they can leverage within the classroom or school day to process their emotions.

Target Task


Writing Prompt

Based on Wiesel's speech, what are the perils of indifference? Identify at least two in your own words, support each with an example that Wiesel gives, and analyze what the example shows about indifference.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • According to Wiesel, what does it mean to be indifferent? What is the opposite of indifference? Explain what this concept means in your own words, and then provide evidence from the text to support your answer.

  • What specific examples does Wiesel give of other people's indifference to the suffering of the Jewish people during the Holocaust? Choose one and explain what the effects of indifference were in that example, using evidence from the speech to support your answer.

  • What does Wiesel believe about whether the world has learned not to be indifferent in times of crisis? Provide specific evidence from the speech to support your answer.

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

central idea

the most important idea(s) that the writer is communicating to the reader in an informational text

Text-based

indifference

n.

having no particular interest, opinion, or sympathy (para. 3)

Homework


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

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What is the role of hope and optimism during terrible times? How do hope and optimism allow Anne and Eliezer to resist their Nazi oppressors?

  • What role does Judaism play in both Anne's and Eliezer's lives? How does it shape their identity and understanding of the world?

  • What do these texts demonstrate about selfishness and selflessness?

  • What do these texts tell us about the importance of sharing one's story with the world?

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.8.2 — Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RI.8.1
RI.8.4
RI.8.5
RI.8.7
RI.8.10
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.1.a
W.8.1.b
W.8.4
W.8.9.a
W.8.10

Next

Demonstrate a deep understanding of the texts and topics in a Socratic Seminar by posing and responding to questions and providing evidence to support ideas.

Lesson 20
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