Unit 3 Overview
Choices and Consequences
Choices and Consequences
Instructional Context
This unit explores the idea of choices and consequences through a novel that focuses on one young man’s emerging realizations about himself, his family, and the society he lives in. Tangerine takes Paul Fisher, a visually impaired soccer player, on a personal journey of self-discovery. As Paul encounters environmental disasters small and large, he is able to face some personal disasters that plague his sense of self. His move into a new neighborhood and a new school allows him to unlock secrets about himself and to discover new self-confidence and strength to face the fears that have kept him a prisoner of the “zombie.” In this unit, students interpret, analyze, and evaluate a novel in terms of point of view, character, structure, and other key literary elements that create a unique text. Students analyze the choices made by the characters in the novel and relate the concept of choices and consequences to their own lives and the lives of prominent leaders whose choices have made positive impacts on society and the world.
Instructional Sequence
The instructional sequence of this unit begins with several activities that ask students to examine the structure of a novel. Students then analyze character motivation and actions through the exploration of setting, point of view, and author’s language. With a clear understanding of character choices and consequences, students are prepared to write a literary analysis essay for Embedded Assessment 1. One of the significant reading strategies is the double-entry journal. This tool is a valuable device for the study of longer works. Students may want to keep their journals in either a spiral notebook or a composition book, with the journal pages attached. Many activities will direct students to their journals; however, in some activities they will still be expected to write in their books.
After completing Embedded Assessment 1, students continue to explore the impact of choices and how they contribute to consequences and outcomes in the real world. Students will practice locating and evaluating sources and creating annotated bibliographies, which are crucial skills that they apply to their research about a leader who made a positive difference in the world. Embedded Assessment 2 asks students to apply their understanding of choices and consequences by creating a biographical multimedia presentation about a prominent leader who made inspiring choices that helped shape the world.
