One Big Topic; Many, Many Benchmarks Combining a favorite novel, argument writing, lots of types of texts, and a research paper to study history deeply By the way, I teach Social Studies, too.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry By Mildred Taylor Background Knowledge What I know/think I know about: Great Depression Segregation Short videos about depression, segregation “Brother Can You Spare A Dime?” by Bing Crosby

More Background Knowledge Tenant Farming Role-Playing Demonstration 1 kid is the landowner (Mr. Granger) 1 kid runs the store (the Wallaces) Everyone else is a sharecropper Show how lack of property leads to perpetual cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement Economic vulnerability = inability to speak out Sure glad THAT’S all over with now . . . Wait a minute . . .

While We’re Reading 1 or 2 question “reading checks” Class discussion Questions for close reading/inference/reflection (answered in paragraphs) 1. a) What do we learn about Mr. Morrison from his story told on Christmas Eve? b) How does this affect your opinion of Mr. Morrison? 2. a) Why does Papa think that Jeremy and Stacey shouldn’t be friends? b) Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

Writing Assignments Persuasive Letter Write as Mrs. Logan trying to persuade her neighbors to shop in Vicksburg instead of at the Wallace store. Use details from the book to support argument Follow standard business letter format

ANOTHER WRITING ASSIGNMENT Argument: Were the Logan children right to turn away from TJ on the night of the revival/store robbery? Should they have forgiven him one last time, or had he crossed the line? Use details from book Address opposing viewpoint Use solid essay structure Writing conventions (use present tense, book name, author name, etc.)

And then We get Real Show connection between fiction and history Erik Sass, mentalfloss.com, 2015

Billie Holiday— “Strange Fruit” Listen to song, read, understand lyrics Compare to events referred to in Roll of Thunder Discussion of how art can speak to current and historical events . . . Hamilton, anyone????

Langston Hughes— “song For a Dark Girl” Close Read/Understand poem Examine key phrases (“I asked the white Lord Jesus / What was the use of prayer.” Compare to “Strange Fruit” Continue discussion of how art interacts with and reflects (and AFFECTS) real life

Provide Context for Current Issues Understanding this part of history provides a much more nuanced backdrop for discussing things like #BlackLivesMatter Confederate flag

And also, pretty much any excuse to Read Langston Hughes, ever. Lots of other poems/songs could also work

Political Cartoon “Read” an image Metacognition: How do you know what the artist is trying to say?

Segregation Ordinances from Birmingham, Alabama Decode legal language Understand how pervasive the laws were Understand motivations behind laws—actual motive v. claimed motive

Let’s Talk Citizenship Use of non-political talents to make political statements (reach a wider audience) Discuss right/responsibility to address current and ongoing injustice

Maybe use this chance to get your Thoreau on Civil Disobedience, anyone??

Research Paper Desegregation topics: Work in groups Jackie Robinson (some less advanced students) Montgomery Bus Boycott (middle difficulty) Brown v. Board of Education (advanced students) Work in groups Other possibilities: Freedom Riders, March on Washington, etc.

Groups Together Find Sources Write works cited pages Figure out parenthetical citations Peer Review*

Alone Take notes Write outline Write paper

Research Process Use State Library online resources/databases Use notecards Write draft, then type Hand in 1st typed draft, conference with me, make revisions

Presentations Groups create presentations to teach their topic to the rest of the class By the end, they have a deeper understanding because they spent their time diving into a single topic.