The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Novel 8: "Boy in the Striped Pajamas"
Students learn about the impact society can have on individuals and their ability to act freely by examining characters choices and motivations. Before reading the text, students complete a historical context research assignment. The novel is chunked, stopping at key points along the way to examine choices, motives, narrator’s perspective and theme. At each stopping point, students complete a graphic organizer and engage in discussion to demonstrate their learning. Students create Adobe Spark videos as a culminating, summative project for this unit to showcase the novel’s influence upon others.
Before Reading:
- Students activate background knowledge by building an understanding of the historical context. Students research a variety of topics pertaining to Nazi Germany in WWII. They present thier findings and reflect on the novle's guiding questions. A class anticipation guide is given to form opinions on freedom and control.
- As a class set classroom norms for Academic Discussion.
Discussion Rubric- Self- Assess / Goal Set
Self-Assess / Revise Goals
During Reading:
The novel is broken into six parts. As students read they think critically about the following:
- Ch 1&2 - Understand Setting & Rules / Making comparisons
- Ch 3-7 - Novel Q's & Understanding Character
- Ch 8-13 - Consider Narrator's Perspective
- Ch 12 - Compare Character's Experiences
- Ch 14 - 17 - Understand Creative uses of Language and Visuals
- Ch 18 - 20 - What's the Big Idea Organizer
After Reading:
Students create an Adobe Spark Video to represent their understanding of the guiding questions for the novel:
- How does society’s rules influence one's ability to act freely?
- What choices does a person make and how does a person justify his or her own actions?
- What does a person learn as a result of their choices? How does this novel influence others?
Students use the following resources to plan, develop, improve and present their videos:
- Video Checklist and Rubric
- Adobe Spark Video Speaking planner
- Being a Great Audience
- Vote for the Best Video Form
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Adobe Spark Video ChecklistBeing an Engaged Audience: Adobe Spark Videos