Lesson 1: Introduction
Students will discuss what makes historical fiction. They will be introduced to the novel, "The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis. They will participate in Pre-Reading stations to familiarize them with the historical aspect of this novel, which takes place during the Civil Rights Movement. Students are expected to complete 3 of the stations in detail, and they should take a copy of the book as well as their response journal home to be approved by their parents. Students are not expected to read in the novel this week. We will be reading Chapter 1 together next week.
Lesson 2: The Watson Family: Character Traits, Figurative Language, and Interpreting Character Actions
As a class, we will read Chapter 1 and look at various types of figurative language used within the novel. Students will be asked to assign character traits to each of the five Watson family members and use specific evidence from the text to support their traits. They will be expected to read Chapter 2 and 3 on their own during their Independent Reading time in their classes. There are questions to answer about the 2 chapters that will be used to guide discussion during Lesson 3.
Lesson 3: Identifying Character Traits w/ supporting evidence
Students will review answers to questions from Chapters 1-3. They will read Chapter 4 in class, and be expected to read Chapter 4-6 before the next class.
Lesson 4: Looking at Character Motives and Decision Making
Students will review chapters 4-6. They will discuss character motives relating to Byron and Wilona, and make they own decisions about whether the characters' reactions were fair. They will be asked to use good reasoning skills when making their decisions. Students will be introduced to the Bloom's Book Project and will be given time to begin the first two sections of the project. This project is to be completed 100% in the AIG classroom.
Lesson 5: Summarizing, Noticing Changes in Characters, and Project Work
Students will be asked to summarize Chapters 6-9 pulling out important details and key events. They will identify more character traits of characters based on more recent character actions. The second half of class will be spent working on their Bloom's Books.
Lesson 6-7: Project Work
Students will continue work on their Bloom's Book.
HOMEWORK: Prepare for upcoming Seminar Discussion
Questions: Which chapter was your favorite? Why? (We always start with an easy question that everyone can answer to get them used to speaking.) Which character in this novel do you feel taught us the most valuable lessons? Explain. Why do you think the author chose this moment in history to write about? What messages do you think the author was trying to send to all of his readers through this work of historical fiction? How can you extend the lessons from this novel into your life today?
HOMEWORK: Prepare for upcoming Seminar Discussion
Questions: Which chapter was your favorite? Why? (We always start with an easy question that everyone can answer to get them used to speaking.) Which character in this novel do you feel taught us the most valuable lessons? Explain. Why do you think the author chose this moment in history to write about? What messages do you think the author was trying to send to all of his readers through this work of historical fiction? How can you extend the lessons from this novel into your life today?