Course Plan
This page serves as the central hub for accessing the course plan and calendar. Here, you will find detailed information about the topics, assignments, readings, and important dates related to our course. Use this resource to stay organized, plan ahead, and keep track of your progress throughout the semester. Click below to explore the course plan and upcoming events.
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Course Calendar
1/9
Introductions
Syllabus Scavenger Hunt
#WeNeedDiverseBooks
View and Discuss: How Books can Open your Mind
Peace and Justice Summit: Activism (youtube.com)
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1/11
Due: Literacy Autobiography
View: What it takes to be Racially Literate
Viewing Notes
Planning a semester of reading
Literacy Autobiography Share
The Youth Lens – Read and Reflect
View and Discuss: What it takes to be Racially Literate
Inspiration – Angie Thomas on writing The Hate U Give
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1/16
No CLASS
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1/18
Read: The Hate U Give pt.1
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Individual Writing
Small Group Activity
Literature and Adolescent Identity
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1/23
Read: The Hate U Give pt. 2
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Individual Writing
Small Group Activity (Adolescent Minorities in Popular YA Literature)
Whole Group Share
Why White Students Need Multicultural and Social Justice Education | Cult of Pedagogy
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1/25
Read: The Hate U Give pt. 3
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Small Group Debrief
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1/30
View: The Hate U Give
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Due: Identity Playlist – Song Choice
Same Text Small Group
Whole Group Share
The Value of YA Lit
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2/1
Read: Monster, Pt. 1
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Same Text Small Group
View and Discuss: Walter Dean Myers on how schools are using "Monster" and "Scorpion" | AdLit
Sentencing Children to Die in Prison
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2/6
Read: Monster, Pt. 2
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Same Text Small Group
View and Discuss: Three Myths about Racism
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2/8
Read: Monster, Graphic Novel Adaptation
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Small Group Jigsaw:
Read The Novel? You Should Read The Graphic Novel | Book Riot
3 Ways Graphic Novels Benefit Reading Skills | Scholastic
What's Gained or Lost in Reading a Comic Adaptation? | Book Riot
View and Discuss: Ode to the Only Black Kid in Class
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2/13
View: Monster
Due: Identity Playlist – Song Choice
Small Group Activity:
Writing a Review https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/monster-review-all-rise-1234968350/
Whole Group Share
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2/15
Read: Just Mercy, Pt. 1
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Same Text Small Group
Explore and Discuss: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption (eji.org)
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2/20
Read: Just Mercy, Pt. 2
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Same Text Small Group
Read and Discuss: McMillian v. State, 616 So. 2d 933 - Ala: Court of Criminal Appeals 1993 - Google Scholar
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2/22
Read: Just Mercy, Pt. 3
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
View and Discuss: https://youtu.be/shzMjyuijRU
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2/27
View: Just Mercy
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Due: Identity Playlist – Song Choice
View and Discuss: Michael B. Jordan on ‘Just Mercy’ https://youtu.be/nTJZcHJPgtc?si=afbYwc_2wo-_flZU
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3/1
Read: Push Pt. 1
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Same Text Small Group
Small Group Activity (Black and Disabled in America)
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3/6
NO CLASS: Spring Break
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3/8
NO CLASS: Spring Break
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3/13
Read: Push Pt. 2
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Same Text Small Group
Small Group Activity
Sapphire's Story: How 'Push' Became 'Precious' : NPR
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3/15
Read: Push Pt. 3
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Due: Identity Playlist – Song Choice
Same Text Small Group
Whole Group Share
Sapphire: From 'Push' to 'Precious' (youtube.com)
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3/20
View: Precious
Write: Reading/Viewing Notebook
Same Text Small Group
Teens turning to books to tackle tough topics - Perspectives on Reading
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3/22
Due: Draft of Book/Film Analysis and Critique
Same Text Small Group
Peer Feedback
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3/29
Read: Sapphire Releases Graphic Sequel To 'Push' | (wbur.org)
Reading/Viewing Notebook
Small Group Activity:
The Power of the Sequel
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3/29
Due: Book/Film Analysis and Critique
Due: Identity Playlist – Song Choice
The Impact of Analyzing YA Lit + Adult Lessons of YA Fiction
Who is YA Lit for?
Informal Share of book/film analysis and critique
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4/3
Choose groups and research text options (Resources)
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4/5
Literature Circles Pt. 1
If I Stay Author Gayle Forman on Dark Themes in Young Adult Books | TIME
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4/10
Literature Circles pt. 2
Literature Circles in Class
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4/12
Literature Circles pt. 3
Literature Circles in Class
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4/17
Viewing: Group Choice Film
Viewing Circles
Literature Circles in Class
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4/19
Reading/Viewing Notebook
Viewing: Group Choice Film
Due: Identity Playlist – Song Choice
Literature Circles in Class
Planning/Discussion for Group Presentations
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4/26
Exam – Final Group Presentations