ELA–Grade8.docVIP

ELA – Grade 8 Unit of Study: The Challenge of Heroism Fourth Grading Period: Weeks 1 - 9 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW CURRICULUM OVERVIEW Enduring Understandings (Big Ideas) Unit Rationale This unit introduces the Challenge theme by examining heroes: in our personal lives, in literary works, and in the world at large. Students are introduced to the archetype of the hero’s journey, and view various examples of heroes through that archetypal lens. After exploring heroism, students examine the challenges of society through texts in which individuals take great risks to do what they think is right. The Giver ranks high on the list of adolescents’ all-time favorite novels, not only because of Lois Lowry’s engaging storytelling, but also because this novel gives young people some challenging issues to contemplate. Many students can identify with the conflict between the desire to fit in and the wish to remain true to one’s self. Two features of The Giver merit particular attention: the concept of utopia and the archetypal hero’s journey. By studying film alongside short stories, poetry, essays, and the novel, students will recognize film as a separate and unique text, worthy of serious study (p.1) College Board (2011). Springboard: English textual power: Level 3. New York, NY: College Board. By the end of this unit, students will illustrate the connection between Jonas’s heroic journey and the hero’s journey archetype through the creation of a graphic novel. They will select and embed quotations from the novel, The Giver, to support the connections to the hero’s journey. College Board (2011). Springboard: English textual power: Level 3. New York, NY: College Board. Essential Questions What defines a hero? How do visual images enhance or create meaning? Are yesterday’s heroes important today? TEKS (Standards) TEKS Specificity - Intended Outcome Reading/Vocabulary Development 2B use context to determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar or ambiguous words