Unit 2
November 14 - February 24

🔗 ELA Supplemental Book List

• Behold the Dreamers | Imbolo Mbue | NP

• Blacklisted!: Hollywood, the Cold War, and the First Amendment | Larry Dane Brimner | 1230L

• The Burning Tigris: The Armenian Genocide and America's Response | Peter Balakian | 1400L

• The Crucible | Arthur Miller | NP

• Fault Lines in the Constitution | Cynthia Y. Levinson and Sanford Levinson | 1120L

• Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II | Martin W. Sandler | 1240L

• The Making of Yolanda La Bruja | Lorraine Avila 

myPerspectives Currriculum Complements

Lesson: McCarthyism and the Red Scare

"The Crucible" by Arthur Miller Text Set

Us and Them
Essential Question: How does “othering” affect individuals and humanity in general? What does the way a person treats others reveal about them?

11-12.RL.6 Reading Lesson: "The Star Beast"
In this science fiction short story, students read about one community’s response to the appearance of an outsider. They explore the ways that people feel threatened by those who are different, and as a consequence reject them from society. As students read, they analyze how an author uses point of view and dramatic irony to develop mood and theme.

11-12.RI.3 Reading Lesson: "What Is Othering?"
Through this non-fiction text, students gain an understanding of the phenomenon of othering. They consider how othering affects people on both sides of the experience and societies in general. As students read, they analyze how the author creates connections between ideas to develop a central argument.

11-12.RI/RL.3/11-12.W.2 Writing Lesson: Using Precise Verbs In Your Analysis
In this writing lesson, students learn to use precise verbs to strengthen their analysis of an author’s message. Students apply this skill as they revise their short response from the “What is Othering?” reading lesson.

Media Exploration: Why Was Communism In America Viewed As Both An Opportunity And A Problem?
In this knowledge-building Related Media Exploration, students work collaboratively as they learn about Americans’ reactions to communism in the 1940s. This exploration provides background information for the text “McCarthy, Communists, and ‘Enemies from Within.’”

11-12.R.4 Reading Lesson: "McCarthy, Communists, And 'Enemies From Within'"
By studying this article and McCarthy’s speech, students learn how othering has been used for political power, specifically during the Red Scare of the 1950s. As students read, they analyze how an author uses diction and specific details to create mood.

11-12.R.4 Reading Lesson: "A Short Note To My Very Critical And Well-Beloved Friends And Comrades"
Reading this poem, students see the emotional toll of othering through the perspective of someone who has been excluded by those closest to her. As students read, they analyze how diction and structure develop the speaker’s tone.

11-12.RL.6 Reading Lesson: "The Neighbor's Wife"
In this poem, students read about one person's decision to accept the presence of the “other” in their community. Students reflect on the way their own treatment of others could have positive or negative ripple effects. As students read, they analyze and compare the speaker’s point of view with that of another character in the poem.

11-12.W.2 Writing Lesson: Introducing Evidence With Analysis
In this writing lesson students learn a more sophisticated way to present their analysis of evidence. Students practice introducing their evidence with analysis rather than always putting the analysis second. Students apply this skill as they respond to a prompt about “The Neighbor’s Wife.”

11-12.RL.3/11-12.R.4 Reading Lesson: "Hamadi"
In this short story, students read about characters who build relationships rather than focusing on differences and separation. They consider the unit’s essential question from a different perspective as they think about the ways building community can affect individuals and the larger society. As students read, they analyze how dialogue and character interactions develop complex characters and their relationships.

Media Exploration: The Power Of Empathy
In this thought-provoking Related Media Exploration, students work collaboratively to understand empathy and the way it could be a solution to “othering.” Students engage with different forms of media and deepen their understanding by making connections to unit texts.

Discussion Lesson
Students will discuss their answers to the following question: What does the way a person treats others reveal about them?

Writing Prompts

Cross-Textual Literary Analysis: Fear is often cited as a reason for the “othering” of people in society. How do the unit texts support this idea? Use evidence from at least two unit texts to support your argument. 

Argumentative Essay: What contributes most to “othering” in society: the desire for power or a lack of knowledge and understanding? Use evidence from at least two unit texts to support your argument.