Unit 1

Essential Question:

What are the Challenges and Triumphs of Childhood?

In this unit, students will investigate some of the challenges and triumphs of growing up, considering the possibilities both good and bad that lie ahead of them. Students will read a variety of texts, watch a video, and view media as they discuss the Essential Question for the unit.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

As a class, in small groups, and independently, students will work to answer this question: What are some of the challenges and triumphs of growing up? Give your student the opportunity to continue the discussion at home.

TALK IT OVER WITH YOUR STUDENT

• What are some of the ways you could answer the question; What are some of the challenges and triumphs of growing up?

• Do you learn more from success or failure? Does anyone learn without taking some risks?

• Why do you think coming-of-age stories are so popular in media and books?

The core novel "Holes," by Louis Sacher, will supplement this unit and connect to the essential question of childhood challenges and triumphs.

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Additional Suggestions for trade books that will connect with this theme are:

Bud, Not Buddy- by Christopher Paul Curtis (Reading Lexile 950)

The Secret Garden- by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Reading Lexile 970)

The Young Landlords- Walter Dean Myers (Reading Lexile 820)

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