Curriculum  /  ELA  /  8th Grade  /  Unit 7: Seeking Justice: To Kill a Mockingbird (2020)  /  Lesson 34

Seeking Justice: To Kill a Mockingbird (2020)

Lesson 34
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ELA

Unit 7

8th Grade

Lesson 34 of 35

Objective

Provide meaningful feedback to peers and incorporate peer feedback into own writing.

Readings and Materials

  • Article: “Duluth Teachers, District Grapple with How to Move on from 'Mockingbird'” by Dan Kraker 

  • Article: “Despite 'Discomfort,' Many Teachers Still Teach To Kill a Mockingbird. Here's Why” by Madeline Will 

  • Article: “Why Schools Shouldn’t Stop Teaching 'To Kill a Mockingbird' because of the N-Word” by Megan G. Oprea 

  • Article: “No, To Kill a Mockingbird Should Not be Taught in 2018” by Andray Domise 

  • Article: “Forget Atticus: Why We Should Stop Teaching 'To Kill a Mockingbird'” by Will Menarndt 

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Target Task

Writing Prompt

To Kill a Mockingbird is often considered one of the most significant novels in the history of American literature. And yet there is significant debate around whether it should be taught in schools.

Imagine that your school is considering whether or not to continue teaching this text next year. Write a letter to your school principal explaining your position on this issue and urging him or her to either remove the book from the curriculum or continue teaching it.

In your letter you should:

  • Clearly state your position in a clear claim statement.
  • Explain the primary points on both sides of the argument around the text.
  • Provide quoted textual evidence from at least three sources to support your position.
  • Write a clear introduction and conclusion.

Note: This task is not asking you whether or not you liked the book; your job is to argue whether or not the book is a valuable part of the school curriculum.

Lesson Guidance

  • Provide students with guidance on how to provide meaningful feedback to peers.
  • Ask students to incorporate feedback into their work (including any additional feedback you have given them).

Common Core Standards

  • W.8.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
  • 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.

Next

Lesson 35
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