Teaching Plans

CCSSELA: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.8 Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources. 

Suggested Delivery:  Small Group Read/ Independent Read 

Key Vocabulary:   

Liturgical Director: A member of the clergy along with priests and bishops who assist the bishop and priests. At the Mass, the deacon proclaims the Gospel, may be invited to preach the homily, and assists at the altar. 

Sackbut: An older trombone or replica. The word is derived from the French meaning Push and Pull 

Embalming Fluid:  Embalming chemicals are a variety of preservatives, sanitizing and disinfectant agents, and additives used in modern embalming to temporarily prevent decomposition and restore a natural appearance for viewing a body after death. 

Morgue: A place where bodies are kept, especially to be identified or claimed. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder: A developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. 

Conspiracy: A secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.

Radiation: the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles through space or a material medium 

Trauma: A deeply distressing or disturbing experience.   

Anxiety: Intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations.  A feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness.  

socialization: The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society.  

Undertaker: A person whose business is preparing dead bodies for burial or cremation and making arrangements for funerals. 

Building Schema: 

Before Reading: In this book mental health is discussed quite a bit from Simon's anxiety and PTSD but also dives into Agate and her experience with autism. For this activity have students pick a mental health issue that is represented in the book and conduct a research project on it. Then using Canva students will create an electronic infographic that includes statistics, causes, treatments, and awareness of the disorder. 

During Reading:  As students read through the book we learn that Simon and his family have moved to a National Quiet Zone with no internet or even microwaves. Since I hate the quiet as we read this book students will create a playlist that conveys the mood and themes of each chapter. Thus, when students finish reading the book they will have a full playlist that expresses the tone of the narrative. For each song write a justification for why you chose that song. 

After Reading: Imagine that you are the author of the book you have just read. Suddenly the book becomes a best seller. Write a letter to a movie producer trying to get that person interested in making your book into a movie. Explain why the story, characters, conflicts, etc., would make a good film. Suggest a filming location and the actors to play the various roles. 

Writing Activity: The book ends with Simon and Agate waiting to talk to reporters. For this activity pair up students and have each of them pick the role of either Simon or a reporter. Then have the reporter generate questions for Simon. Then have the student portray Simon and come up with answers. Have them write a script and then record the interview as if it were a talk show. 

Extend The Text