 |
Grade Level:
6 - 12
Literary Form:
American Novel
Paired with:
Out of the Dust11 Lesson Plans/33 Handouts/75 Pages
ISBN:978-1-56077-649-9
Description:
A boy is mistakenly arrested for the theft of an athlete’s shoes and ends up at a boys’ detention center. This story of friendship, kindness, and perseverance describes the rewards of hardworking individuals, contrasting them with the punishments of greedy and cruel people. Although this does not reflect what often happens in the world, the antagonists drive to their own destruction while the diligent and determined continue to move forward. The protagonist, Stanley Yelnats, the great-great grandson of a “no-good-dirty-rotten” pit stealer, perseveres. The novel is a story of endurance, of the sacrifices that friendship often requires, and the struggle to overcome odds. It is also a reminder to persevere and to treasure friendship.
Activities:
This unit focuses on Sachar’s emphasis on personal qualities and values. It is a fine unit to challenge students by providing an opportunity for them to evaluate their own character, while analyzing those Sachar has created. In this unit, students create a map, analyze misleading literature in advertising, perform a critical analysis of literary elements, journal, write a news article, make presentations, participate in cooperative learning activities, write narratives, dramatize, develop portfolios, analyze characters, and write subjectively as a response.
Supplementary Materials include exercises that can be used for optional activities or assessment. Also included is a list of activities categorized by subject area including Language Arts, Music, Art, and Research.
Ethical Values:
Adaptability
Courage
Endurance
Integrity
Self-Actualization
|
