Embedded Files
Grade Level/Subject/Reading Level:
Eleventh Grade English | 720/750L—this depends on the source—but the content of the novel is a much higher level. Both the content and interest levels fall into the age of 14 to 18 (high school), instead of the middle level like the lexile number implies.
Overview of Unit:
Description: Students will create connections between Jason Reynolds’ book—Long Way Down—a chosen historical circumstance, at least two central themes, and the topic of identity by the end of this unit.
Rationale: The goal is for students to be able to take historical information and apply it to modern day texts; this ability is a necessary piece of the development literacy skills in the 21st century. Students will learn how to critically examine the past and understand its impact on the present, analyze themes and concepts within texts, and understand how historical context affects our reading of a text by using Long Way Down.
Curriculum Connections: Students should have a base knowledge of historical circumstances and events within the United States by eleventh grade, and should be able to link this information to the text.
Bibliographic Information:
Long Way Down—Jason Reynolds, Atheneum Books, 978-1481438254 (can also be found HERE)
Alternative Options for The Text to Support ELLs and Struggling Readers:
Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel—Jason Reynolds and
Danica Novgorodoff, Atheneum Books, 978-0571366019
Long Way Down Audiobook—Written and Narrated by Jason Reynolds, Simon & Schuster Audio
Long Way Down Audio CD—Written and Narrated by Jason Reynolds, Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio, 978-1713526728
Long Way Down e-book—Jason Reynolds, Atheneum Books
These versions of the novel give struggling readers and ELLs access to the text and the content within it.
Novel Synopsis:
A free verse novel that follows Will Holloman, a 15 year-old boy attempting to make a decision about getting revenge after witnessing his brother get shot. The bulk of the story takes place within an apartment building elevator wherein Will is visited by multiple figures, complicating his feelings surrounding Shawn's death and making the surety in his decision shrink. The book tackles multiple topics—such as self identity, cycles of violence, and community relationships—in an engaging way for young adult readers.
Key Concepts:
Cycles of violence/Systems of oppression or perpetuate violence
Family/Community relations
Self/Community identity
All of these themes and concepts are prominent in our current world and in the lives of students; it's important that these act as central pillars of this unit. Moreover, if students find the key concepts to be relevant to their lives, they will be more willing and able to learn and digest information.
Key Vocabulary:
As the lexile level is below the reading level for eleventh grade, there will be significantly fewer unknown vocabulary words for those reading at the eleventh grade level. If students need help with comprehension of certain words, this can be done on an individual basis and the teacher can work with the student to support their needs.
As the content of this book and the interest in the topic fall at a much higher level, it makes more sense to use this book at a secondary level instead of the middle/elementary level. In this sense, students will be able to focus much more on the larger, structural pieces of the text (and its context) as opposed to focusing solely on understanding what particular words mean. This will also help struggling readers and ELLs to comprehend the text and participate in class discussions and projects.
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