SJ in the Classroom

Essential Question

Do the ways we present our identities change depending on where we are or the people we are with?
Why might people not feel safe to express all their identities?
How are people similar to and different from each other?
What is the difference between feeling proud and feeling superior?
Why might people not feel safe to express all their identities?

Texts

Informational

Always Running

In this excerpt from his memoir, Rodriguez provides a stirring recollection from his adolescence: the first time he experienced racism as a result of being an immigrant in America. As he says, the experience "stays with [him] like a foul odor."

Luis J. Rodriguez

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

Topic

Class Immigration Race & Ethnicity

July 2, 2014

Literature

Sure You Can Ask Me a Personal Question

In this poem, the speaker--who is Native American--responds to a series of unspoken discriminatory questions. The reader can deduce the missing questions based on the speaker's responses.

Diane Burns

Grade Level

6-8

Topic

Race & Ethnicity

July 3, 2014

Teaching Strategies

Close and Critical Reading

Text Graffiti

This strategy exposes students to multiple short pieces of a text before they read it in its entirety. Students read selected quotes out of context and comment on both the selection and the comments of other students. The activity ends with students reflecting on their reactions to and predictions about the text.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

RL.6-12.1, RI.6-12.1

July 19, 2014

Student Tasks

Write to the Source

A Two-Sided Coin

A Two-Sided Coin asks students to demonstrate their explanatory and comparative writing skills.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

W.6-12.2, W.6-12.4, W.6-12.9

July 19, 2014

Write to the Source

Are You Convinced?

Are You Convinced? asks students to demonstrate their argumentative and evaluative writing skills.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

W.6-12.1, W.6-12.4, W.6-12.9

July 19, 2014

Write to the Source

Break It Down

Break it Down asks students to demonstrate their explanatory and descriptive writing skills.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

W.6-12.2, W.6-12.4, W.6-12.9

July 19, 2014

Write to the Source

I'll Be the Judge

I’ll be the Judge asks students to demonstrate their argumentative and comparative writing skills.

Grade Level

6-8 9-12

CCSS

W.6-12.1, W.6-12.4, W.6-12.9

July 19, 2014

Plan Built By

azrugger

SJ in the Classroom

Always Running

Sure You Can Ask Me a Personal Question

Text Graffiti

A Two-Sided Coin

Are You Convinced?

Break It Down

I'll Be the Judge

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