Teenage Experience Choice Book Unit
This unit was for my 10 Intensified students. I wanted to do a unit where the kids could read a choice book that connected to one of the core texts that we studied.
For this unit, I gave the kids an assignment sheet and lots of time to read in class, and they submitted some really great projects at the end. I definitely recommend building in some time to let students read a choice book in some capacity.
Creative Project Ideas (I did not include my original list because it was the work of a coworker and not mine, but Googling "creative book responses" will yield a ton of ideas.)
Core Texts & "Teenage Experience" Books That Connect to Them
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Things Fall Apart is the story of what happens when colonialism takes over in Nigeria.
Essential question: What is the danger of the “single story”?
Book choices:
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver-In The Bean Trees, the main characters leaves her home in Kentucky in order to make a better life for herself. She drives until her car breaks down and starts to build a life where she stops.
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi-In Purple Hibiscus, Kambili and her brother must live under the strict rules of their wealthy, religious, and abusive father.