1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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 . . .

4. 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?

5. 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

6. 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.)

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

8. 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????

9. 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

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

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

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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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.

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

18. Alone
Take notes
Write outline
Write paper

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

20. 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.