Embedded Files
Topic: Outsiders & Outcasts
Essential Question: Do people need to belong?
Performance Mode: Argument
🔍Focus Standards
🔍Focus Standards
Reading Literature
9-10.R.8 Determine the meaning and impact of words and phrases on meaning, tone, and mood. Analyze figurative language and connotative meanings. Examine domain-specific vocabulary and how language differs across genres and text types.
9-10.R.10 Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structures an author uses in an exposition, argument, or narrative, including whether the structure makes points or events clear, effective, convincing, or engaging.
9-10.R.13 Delineate and evaluate an argument and specific claims in a text, assessing the validity or fallacy of key statements by examining whether the supporting evidence is relevant and sufficient. Recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.
9-10.RL.14 Analyze two or more works of fiction with similar themes or topics, drawing on patterns of events, characters types, and stylistic choices.
Writing
9-10.W.1 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of complex topics or texts using logical reasoning and relevant evidence, and provide a conclusion that follows from and supports the argument presented.
a. Introduce claims, distinguish the claims from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claims, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
b. Develop claims and counterclaims by supplying evidence from accurate, credible sources for each; point out the strengths and limitations that consider the audience.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claims and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claims and counterclaims.
d. Use appropriate conventions and style for the audience, purpose, and task.
Academic Vocabulary
Academic Vocabulary
contradict
negate
objection
verify
advocate
💡 It is essential to have students use these words throughout the unit, particularly in their performance tasks/assessments.
Launch Text: Isn't Everyone a Little Bit Weird? (click to expand)
Launch Text: Isn't Everyone a Little Bit Weird? (click to expand)
Unit Supplementary Resources
Novel Study Suggestions
Novel Study Suggestions
The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho | 910L
The Book Thief | Markus Zusak | 730L
Challenger Deep | Neal Shusterman | 800L
The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien | 1000L
It's Trevor Noah | Trevor Noah | 780L
The Merchant of Venice | William Shakespeare | NP
The Metamorphosis | Franz Kafka | 1340L
Patron Saints of Nothing | Randy Ribay | 840L
You Bring the Distant Near | Mitali Perkins | 720L
Newsela Supplementary Resources
Newsela Supplementary Resources
CommonLit Supplementary Lessons
CommonLit Supplementary Lessons
In or Out: Our Struggle to Belong
Essential Question: What does it mean to be an outsider? How does our need to belong affect our actions?
9-10.RL.3 Reading Lesson: "The War Of The Wall"
“The War of the Wall,” by Toni Cade Bambara tells the story of how one community interacts with, and eventually comes to appreciate, a mysterious outsider. As students read, they will analyze how setting and characters shape conflict.
9-10.RL.3 Reading Lesson: "The White Umbrella"
In “The White Umbrella” a young girl tells her story of struggling to belong. A scary experience at the end of the story helps the narrator realize what is truly important. As students read, they will analyze how characters influence conflict.
9-10.RL.3 Reading Lesson: "Hello, My Name Is _____"
In “Hello My Name Is _____,” Jason Kim reflects on how his experiences moving from South Korea to the United States shaped his identity. As students read, they will analyze how setting contributes to character change.
Media Exploration: Insiders & Outsiders
In this related media exploration, students will work collaboratively to understand how groups of insiders and outsiders form, empathize with the outsiders’ experience, and explore how communities can use differences to bring people together.
9-10.R.2 Reading Lesson: "How The Need To Belong Influences Human Behavior And Motivation"
This informational text will help students consider how the human need to belong shapes our everyday actions. As students read, they will analyze how ideas interact and develop the central idea.
9-10.RL.3/9-10.RL.6 Reading Lesson: "The Stolen Party"
Are there certain social circles where outsiders can never really belong? In “The Stolen Party,” one young girl is invited to a birthday party and finds out the answer the hard way. As students read, they will analyze characters’ contrasting points of view.
CommonLit Alternate Unit: Literary Analysis (9th grade level)
Following the Crowd
Essential Question: How does being in a group affect how we behave?
CommonLit Alternate Unit: Argumentative Research Writing (12th grade level)
Balancing Connection and Solitude
Essential Question: Why do humans need both community and solitude?
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