Seeking Justice: To Kill a Mockingbird (2020)

Lesson 10
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ELA

Unit 6

8th Grade

Lesson 10 of 35

Objective


Gather evidence appropriate to the prompt and draft a strong thesis statement.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee  — chapters 1-10

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

The Golden Rule, often quoted from the Bible as “Do unto others as you would have then do unto you,” is a central tenet of many cultures and world religions throughout history.

In a short essay, explain how Atticus Finch embodies this idea in words and actions in the first 10 chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Your essay must include:

  • An introductory paragraph that provides context and includes a strong thesis statement
  • Two body paragraphs, each discussing an incident demonstrating Atticus’s embodiment of this rule
  • At least two pieces of quoted textual evidence in each body paragraph
  • Analysis and explanation of how each incident demonstrates The Golden Rule

Lesson Guidance


  • Introduce the prompt and explain focus standards.
  • Have students return to the text and look for examples. Encourage students to find at least three examples of words and behaviors that demonstrate this idea.
  • Students should write notes on each of these incidents on why they demonstrate the Golden Rule.
  • Have students draft thesis statements that clearly state incidents in which Atticus embodies this idea.

Notes

  • Because this is the first writing task of the year and because students only have two days to complete it, the prompt and expectations are relatively straightforward. The aim of this task is to focus on students writing strong thesis statements, collecting the best evidence to support claims, and providing thoughtful analysis.

Common Core Standards


  • RL.8.9 — Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new.
  • W.8.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
  • W.8.1.a — Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
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Lesson 11

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