Mrs. Butler and Ms. Casaccio's Best Stargirl Lessons |
Overview |
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This unit,
Individuality vs. Conformity, is centered on the reading of Jerry Spinelli’s Stargirl. Through participation in a variety
of engaging learning activities, students arrive at a better understanding
of the novel and its themes as a result of the relationship that is
established between the reader and the text. The Internet plays an integral
role in the creation and success of this unit, as the myriad resources
available permit the teacher to supplement the literature with real life
connections. Students view a
music video, interview with an artist, as well as television commercials,
all of which work to reinforce the concepts of individuality and the
importance of staying true to oneself. All learning activities are
accompanied by group discussions through which students apply the plot and
themes of Stargirl to the audio, video,
or reading acquired via the Internet. Additionally, the Internet has
been a vital component within our classroom, as it has assisted in the
modification of the unit for a Spanish speaking student. Furthermore, the unit concludes with
the development of a new Student Manual. This final project is intended to
serve as a summation of the themes, issues, and ideas that have arisen
throughout class discussions and activities. Students are required to word
process their additions to the manual and to refer to the Internet to
import graphics and photos. A
scanner and digital camera are also essential to the creation of the
manual, as student photos are present throughout the pages. The unit was designed for an average
skills sixth grade Language Arts class and engages students in in-depth
discussions about topics relevant to their own lives, particularly the
adjustment to middle school.
The time frame for this unit is approximately five weeks.
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Last Modified: Monday March 06 2006