Literary Essay & The Civil Rights Movement
This project is the ultimate combination of rigorous learning. Students learn about the Civil Rights Movement through a series of thoughtfully chosen picture books. A student friendly Courageous Conversations Compass is used to help students navigate through a difficult period of our history. As we move along a historical timeline, the books are read together and analyzed through academic conversation. Students examine the point of view and perspective of each book paying particular attention to the race of the main character. Along the way, students have deep discussions about what the character(s) experience and how that is helping to reveal the theme and message of text. Students keep notes on each book, and then each student chooses one of the books that they most connected with to create a literary essay. Together we examine proficient samples of literary essays for the important elements. Students then work to creatively bring these elements into poster form.
Essential Questions
What point of view is being used?
Whose perspective is represented and how does this affect the reader's understandings?
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What does the character learn in the story? This helps us identify a theme. What is the theme?
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What life lesson do we as reader's learn?
Standards
Standards Addressed - Literature
5.1.1.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
5.1.2.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
5.1.4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
5.1.5.5 Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
5.1.6.6 Describe how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influence how events are described.
5 5.1.9.9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre on their approaches to similar themes and topics. (with a focus on literary devices used - narrative point of view, figurative language, author’s craft)
Standards Addressed-English Language
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EL.5.6.1.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
EL.5.6.1.1a Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's purpose.
EL.5.6.1.1b Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.
EL.5.6.9.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Social Studies Standards Addressed:
SS.5.4.1.2 Historical inquiry is a process in which multiple sources and different kinds of historical evidence are analyzed to draw conclusions about how and why things happened in the past.
SS.5.4.1.2.2 Explain a historical event from multiple perspectives.
SS.5.4.1.3.1 Analyze multiple causes and outcomes of a historical event.
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Scaffolded Graphic Organizer
Assessment Checklist
Student Example
Timeline & Books
