Unit 4: Between the World and Me

Teaching Notes

Unit Overview

Students will read Ta-Nehisi Coate’s memoir “Between the World and Me” Coate’s series of revelatory experiences will provide students with the metaphoric windows and mirrors to meaningfully comprehend and absorb the physical and social dynamics that have shaped his life. This unit will focus on the political, social, and cultural dynamics through Coate’s distinct moments in time. Cultural perspective, relevant values, and social issues will be discussed in the context of relevance and purpose. Through this lense, students will also examine and produce writing that addresses the Power Standards of “Organization and Development.” All of the standards included in this unit align with understanding organization in writing. The IB February Learner profile trait is “Principled.” Students will understand the ideas of being principled, organized, and relevant in tandem to one another. This simultaneous progression will guide and facilitate their understanding and inquiry into their final project.  Students will complete an  inquiry-Based Service Project to enhance their  knowledge and skills by investigating and responding to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge. Student projects will be presented during the African-American History Assembly at Bogan High School. 

Inquiry Statements

Content-based:   How has the historical context of race, and the political, economic, and cultural outcomes influenced Americans’ thinking?

Skills based:  As Coates narrates his experiences, what relevant techniques (stylistic/ rhetorical/literary, etc.) does Coates use to make his ideas coherent and to organize his information? 

Concept-based:  How do individual experiences determine one’s perception of race and race relations in the US today.