Overview and Background: Unit: The Costs of Friendship

 

Melodie Hofer : Cheney USD 268

Communications : Reading : Communications

Cheney Middle School : Grades 0 - 5 : Jan. - Mar.

 

Title:

The Costs of Friendship

Topics:

Friendship, Manipulation, Jealousy, Loyalty, Conformity, Rebellion, Truth & Falsehood

Time Frame:

6 Weeks

Start Date:

Mar. 1 - May. 24

 

Other Designers:

 

Summary:
Students will read the novel, A Separate Peace, by John Knowles. Traditional study guide questions are a must during the unit due to the number events in the plot. A variety of Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures will be used to facilitate the completion and discussion of such guides. Students will study new vocabulary by competing in bingo games connected to the words. The video version of the novel will be watched in small segments as the novel is read. Interpretation of quotations from the novel will also be a big part of this unit. An audio CD of the novel will also be used at various times during the reading.

 

Print Materials Needed:
A Separate Peace, by John Knowles.
Teacher created study guides.
Teacher designed tests over chapter groupings.
Teacher designed bingo cards.
Teacher assigned My Ideas on Friendship questionnaire.

Resources:
Internet for online-end of novel quizzes
Video of the novel
Audio CD of the novel

 

Resource Attachments:

all graphic organizers used in the unit, study guide questions, bingo site used to make the bingo cards, vocab list, evaluation rubrics and/or checklists for

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1:http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1980/1/80.01.03.x.html
Link 2:http://elps.k12.mi.us/elhs/classrooms/kayser/english2/friendship/thematic_booklet/index.htm
Link 3:http://www.lincnet-liu.k12.pa.us/tasks/dis/R%20On%20Trial%201.1.8.htm
Link 4:http://www.friendship.com.au/
Link 5:http://www.netpoets.com/poems/friends/index.htm

 

Notes:

 

 

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

 

State:

KS      

Title:

Communications

Standard(s):

State Standards
Reading
1: Learners demonstrate skill in reading a variety of material for a variety of purposes.
Literary Genres
Literature Response
2: The proficient reader evaluates literature with criteria based on purposes for reading and derived from time periods and cultures.
Listening
1: Learners will participate effectively as listeners within formal and informal groups.
Local Standards
Reading
1: Read a variety of materials to understand themselves and the world around them.

 

Understandings:

user

1. Taking action on oneís jealousy can lead to tragic consequences.
2. Friendship and loyalty are not always true.

 

Essential Questions:

user

1. What are the enduring characteristics of friendship?
2. What makes humans act on their jealousies?
3. What are some causes of changes in friendship?
4. How do adolescents learn to be honest with themselves and accept themselves for what they are?

 

Knowledge and Skills:

Students will know
--why Knowles' novel was Students will know
--why Knowlesí novel was a refreshing view of adolescence during the time period in which it was written. For example, being drafted into WW II was a common threat to the young men of the 1940ís.
--what constitutes as a loyal friend.
--how this novelís setting important for those who read it today.
authors often use the adolescent experience to express isolation and confusion.
Students will be able to
--identify symbols in the novel.
--identify historical allusions in the novel.
--compare/contrast self to the characters (and characters to characters).
ï--use new vocabulary.
ï--use Microsoft Publisher

 

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

 

Assessment Summary:
You are the author of a book, Friendship for Dummies. Based on your study of friendship in the novel you have read and reflection of your own friendships, create a four-page book explaining the ins and outs of friendships. Use Microsoft Publisher to create your book.

 

Task/Prompt: Friendship for Dummies

 

Type:Performance Task

Topics: Friendship, Manipulation, Jealousy, Loyalty, Conformity, Rebellion, Truth & Falsehood

 

Summary:
You are the author of a book, Friendship for Dummies. Based on your study of friendship in the novel you have read and reflection of your own friendships, create a four-page book explaining the ins and outs of friendships. Use Microsoft Publisher to create your book.

 

Print Materials Needed:

 

Resources:

 

Resource Attachments:

 

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1:
Link 2:
Link 3:
Link 4:
Link 5:

 

 

Notes:

 

Student Directions:
You are the author of a book, Friendship for Dummies. Based on your study of friendship in the novel you have read and reflection of your own friendships, create a four-page book explaining the ins and outs of friendships. Use Microsoft Publisher to create your book.



 

 

Other assessment evidence to be collected:

Process check

 

study guide completion, win-lose-draw game, bingo for vocab, chapter quizzes, short essay answers, section tests, & pictionary game
 

 

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

 

Learning Activities:

Ideas taken from http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1980/1/80.01.03.x.html
1. Students complete the questionnaire entitled, My Ideas on Friendship. This is personal and student will not be required to share the info.
2. Teacher asks the class, how to lose friends. List on board.
3. Class discussion on Ways to Nurture Friendships.
4. Modified from http://www.lincnet-liu.k12.pa.us/tasks/dis/R%20On%20Trial%201.1.8.htm

In Kagan Cooperative Learning teams, students discuss reactions to the statement their team has been given. Then, for the class, summarize your reactions. Allow other students to comment on your statement and reactions.
The following are the statements given to teams:
--You are 16, close to draft age, and there is a world war going on. What are your reactions?
--"Growing up is hard to do." Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
--What are the qualities of a friend?
--In comparison to your best friend, you are a better student in terms of grades, perhaps the head of your class. How do you feel about your position? What are your reactions?
--Your best friend is the best athlete in the school. What are your reactions?
--Your best friend is the most popular student in the school. What are your reactions?
--Your best friend rises to every challenge without intimidation and succeeds. What are your reactions?
--Your best friend gets away with anything. What are your reactions?
--You are hiding a big, evil secret from your best friend. What are your reactions?
--"Time is a great teacher." Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

5. Students will receive a copy of the essential questions the teacher put on bulletin. This sheet will also explain the end of the unit book creation.
6. Class will read the novel, A Separate Peace and view a movie of it in pieces after we have read that section.
7. Students will fill out the Feeling Alienated graphic organizer as they progress through the novel.
8. Students will fill out the Decision Making Process graphic organizer as they progress through the novel.
9. Students will use mini sticky notes to mark various portions of the novel that support themes that the class discusses as they progress through the novel
10. Students will engage in the reading strategies of QAR, Say Something. and ReQuest as they progress through the novel.
11. Students will take a short diagnostic paper/pencil quiz to assess their understanding of the selections.
12. Students will play vocab games of various types before each chapter. Sometimes it will be for individual winning, other times for team points.
13. To complete chapter study guides, students will work in Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures, individually, or as a class.
14. Students will answer various short essay questions as the novel is read.
15. Students will interpret quotations pulled from the novel.
16. Students will complete graphic organizer reflection charts as differing conflicts in the friendship in the novel arise throughout the reading.
17. Students will reflect on the importance of the friendships in life.
18. Students will create a series of bookmarks or posters that depicts messages on how to be a good friend. Their series of will be entitled, Friendship for Dummies.
19. Students will create a four-page book explaining the ins and outs of friendships. Microsoft Publisher will be used to create the project.