1. The Outsiders
Our Class Novel Study

2. Learning Goals
Demonstrate an understand of main ideas, event, or themes of a novel, story and other print
Explain the motivation of the characters in works of communication, providing evidence from the text of each work
Identify and explain connections between new ideas and information and their previous beliefs, values, and experiences
Revise and edit their work to improve content, organization, and effect to best suit their audience and purpose

3. Lesson 1: Outside Identity!
Define: identity, Class and race.
Provide an example of each.
In groups of 3 or 4, brain storm on a joint google doc these topics dealing with identity:
individuality,
Cliques
gangs

4. Lets discuss what you’ve come up with? https://youtu.be/j4pFHmSuHRQ
What can we learn about the novel by watching this trailer?
What is the different between individuality and belonging to a clique or gang identity?

5. Lesson 2: 1960s Setting
Outsiders Journal – “What is your impression of the setting, including the time period and place? What clues helped you come to these conclusions?
Let’s take a look at what the 1960s looked like.

9. How do the 1960s relate to 2015?
Magazine activity:
1. Find two advertisements from your magazine. These ads must include representations of people.
2. Exame how men and women are portrayed in the ads: How are differences shown?
What ideals are created? What identity is created?

10. Lesson 3: Who Am I?
In pairs, write a name poem for Ponyboy P O N Y B

11. What do our name poems for Ponyboy say about him?
Choose a famous person who you feel shares similar identity and has the same values as you. Jot down in a paragraph or two why you feel the two of you have similar values or identities. You can choose to do someone who is oppose of you.
Share with your partner when finished.

12. Lesson 4: Clash of the Cliques
You have been given new Identity cards. This is your new identity for the rest of this class.
You will be given scenes to act out.
Scenes and groups work on their scenes. Act them out at the end of class.

13. Lesson 6: Staying Gold
Why do you think Johnny killed Bob? Do you think you would have reacted differently?
What could have been some alternatives?
If you were Ponyboy and Johnny, whom would you turn to for help? Why do you think they went to Dally?
Why do you think Ponyboy and Johnny’s situation prompted Ponyboy’s recitation of “Nothing Gold can Stay”

14. https://youtu.be/cOwPaC3ZaQQ
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down today.
Nothing gold can stay.

15. What do you think about this poem?
What could it mean about Johnny and Ponyboy?

16. Lesson 7: Are they Heroes?
Journal: finish the sentences: “The best thing about me is…” and “The worst thing about me is…”
Why did you chose those things?
What’s the difference between Cherry the Soc and Cherry the Dreamer?
Why is Cherry going to say that Johnny acted in self-defense?

17. Think about our super heroes today?
Are Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally heroes? Why or why not?
Create a google slide to show your answer.

18. Lesson 9: This just in!
Create a newspaper article from the point of view of either a Greaser or a Soc about one of the two following events:
Johnny’s stabbing of Bob, OR
Johnny and Ponyboy’s rescue of the children in the church fire
Remember to look at the text, Chapter 4 and 6, for useful information to include and influence your article.

19. Lesson 10: Nothing Gold can Stay
Re-read the poem “Nothing Gold can Stay”
Read page , Johnny’s letters to Ponyboy.
What changes Johnny’s outlook on death?
Is he happy to die? Proud?
What is his advice to Ponyboy?

20. Why do you think none of the Greasers told Jonny about Dally’s death?
“He mean you’re gold when you’re a kid, like green” – what was Johnny trying to say?
What is the significance of sunsets? It is discussed a few times throughout the novel, what could it symbolize?
Why does Hinton repeat the same lines at the end of the novel as she begins it with?
Why is this significant?
What does it tell us about Ponyboy?
What does the novel Gone with the Wind have to do with the theme of the novel? The poem?

21. Write a journal entry describing how you feel now that you’ve finished the novel.
What feelings do you get when you watch this final scene?