Literature as a catalyst for social action: Breaking barriers, building bridges
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=105
A lesson plan for grades 3–5 English Language Arts
In this lesson, picture books challenge students to confront the injustice of social barriers that separate human beings from one another and to examine the role of prejudice and stereotypes in sustaining these barriers.
During this lesson, students will:
- engage in critical discussions of shared texts and independent reading of biographies to extend the literary experiences in read-aloud sessions.
- analyze and compare these shared texts in terms of genre, social and historical settings, conflicts, character development, and themes.
- explore the craft of the authors and artists and discover the potential of the picture book for presenting complex ideas about the human experience.
- use intertextual links to build understanding as they read each new text in light of previous texts.
- confront injustices and inequities in the past and present as they discover the realities of social barriers then and now, and learn how literature can become a catalyst for social action: breaking barriers and building bridges.
- respond to shared texts and to independent reading experiences in group discussions and in Response Journals.
- learn to formulate their own questions to generate critical study of literary texts.
Readwritethink suggests several books that can be used with this lesson and a link to the Ruby Bridges Foundation. This lesson also has links to web resources and provides opportunities for student reflection.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 3
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
- considering the differences among genres.
- relating plot, setting, and characters to own experiences and ideas.
- considering main character's point of view.
- participating in creative interpretations.
- making inferences and drawing conclusions about characters and events.
- reflecting on learning, gaining new insights, and identifying areas for further study.
- Objective 3.02: Identify and discuss similarities and differences in events, characters, concepts and ideas within and across selections and support them by referencing the text.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
Grade 4
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections with text through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
- analyzing the impact of authors' word choice and context.
- examining the reasons for characters' actions.
- identifying and examining characters' motives.
- considering a situation or problem from different characters' points of view.
- analyzing differences among genres.
- making inferences and drawing conclusions about characters, events and themes.
- Objective 3.02: Analyze characters, events, and plots from different selections and cite supporting evidence
- Objective 3.03: Consider the ways language and visuals bring characters to life, enhance plot development, and produce a response.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
Grade 5
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
- analyzing word choice and content.
- examining reasons for a character's actions, taking into account the situation and basic motivation of the character.
- creating and presenting a product that effectively demonstrates a personal response to a selection or experience.
- examining alternative perspectives.
- evaluating the differences among genres.
- examining relationships among characters.
- making and evaluating inferences and conclusions about characters, events and themes.
- Objective 3.02: Make connections between texts by recognizing similarities and differences based on a common lesson, theme, or message.
- Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
