Half the Sky & Outcasts United
Inspiration leads to a call to arms in both Outcasts United and Half the Sky. Read
the following chapters in each text to gain understanding of existing local and global situations. Half of your class will work on Outcasts United
while the other works on Half the Sky; we will switch texts with each other midway through the unit.
Dates to Remember:
1. Text switch day is Monday, January 27th. Please try not to be absent and to forget to bring your book to class.
2. All books must be returned on Monday, February 3rd.
3. Journal checks will happen throughout (see dates below).
4. Computer Lab dates: February 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
5. Expect a reading quiz on both the switch date and on the book return date (total 2 quizzes)
6. Your summative assessment due date for these two works is on Monday, February 10th.
Summative Assessment: You will work with your assigned Reading Group. Determine a global or local issue that deserves a “call to arms.”
Write a group essay in MLA format with textual evidence drawn from multiple sources that will both explain the issue and offer a call to action.
The essay will be 2 full pages, have a thesis statement as the last sentence in the introduction, be informative, and lend solutions to the reader.
Each group member writes an individual essay, presents the individual essay to the group, then works together to choose the best elements and
rewrite one better essay as a group. You will submit your individual essays as steps of the writing process and final group essay as your final
work. You must include a Works Cited page. Each group will create a display to advertise the “call to arms” described in its essay. The essay, with
all components, and the visual are due on Monday, February 10th.
Group A: Reading Outcasts United during Week One and Half the Sky during Week Two
Week One
Chapters in Outcasts United
Journal Entry
Introduction, 1, 2, 3, and 5 (approximately 55
pages)
Chapters 6, 8, 10, and 25 (approximately 25
pages)
Chapters 31 and Epilogue (approximately 25
pages)
What do we learn about the refugees,
Clarkston, GA, and Luma? What is your
opinion regarding the situations presented
in this selection?
Pick one of the experiences covered in this
selection. Use textual evidence to describe
the situation and use your opinion and
experience to enhance your analysis of it.
React to the outcomes presented in these
final two chapters. Be specific. Enhance
your analysis by suggesting ways in which
you think one could contribute to Luma’s
goals for The Fugees as well as ways in
which one could contribute to easing the
refugee experience for someone.
Due Date & Journal Check Date
Wednesday, January 22nd
Friday, January 24th
Monday, January 27th
Week Two
Chapters in Half the Sky
Journal Entry
Due Date & Journal Check Date
Introduction and Chapter 1 (xi-21)
“Women aren’t the problem but the
solution. The plight of girls is no more a
tragedy than an opportunity.”
What do you think the authors meant when
they stated this as the central truth of the
book? Be specific and use textual evidence.
In Half the Sky, we meet women and girls
from around the world. How are their
situations similar, despite
the unique challenges that they face? Be
Wednesday, January 29th
Chapters 2, 3, and 4 (23-79)
Friday, January 31st
specific and use textual evidence.
Chapters 13 and 14 (221-251)
What is one small change you can initiate in
your lifestyle to further the causes
mentioned in this book? View the Appendix
on pg. 255. Pick one organization that both
interests you and could help with one of the
issues discussed in this text. Be specific and
use textual evidence.
Monday, February 3rd
Group B: Reading Half the Sky during Week One and Outcasts United during Week Two.
Week One
Chapters in Half the Sky
Journal Entry
Due Date & Journal Check Date
Introduction and Chapter 1 (xi-21)
“Women aren’t the problem but the
solution. The plight of girls is no more a
tragedy than an opportunity.”
What do you think the authors meant when
they stated this as the central truth of the
book? Be specific and use textual evidence.
In Half the Sky, we meet women and girls
from around the world. How are their
situations similar, despite
the unique challenges that they face? Be
specific and use textual evidence.
What is one small change you can initiate in
your lifestyle to further the causes
mentioned in this book? View the Appendix
on pg. 255. Pick one organization that both
interests you and could help with one of the
Wednesday, January 22nd
Chapters 2, 3, and 4 (23-79)
Chapters 13 and 14 (221-251)
Friday, January 24th
Monday, January 27th
issues discussed in this text. Be specific and
use textual evidence.
Week Two
Chapters in Outcasts United
Journal Entry
Due Date & Journal Check Date
Introduction, 1, 2, 3, and 5 (approximately 55
pages)
What do we learn about the refugees,
Clarkston, GA, and Luma? What is your
opinion regarding the situations presented
in this selection?
Pick one of the experiences covered in this
selection. Use textual evidence to describe
the situation and use your opinion and
experience to enhance your analysis of it.
React to the outcomes presented in these
final two chapters. Be specific. Enhance
your analysis by suggesting ways in which
you think one could contribute to Luma’s
goals for The Fugees as well as ways in
which one could contribute to easing the
refugee experience for someone.
Wednesday, January 29th
Chapters 6, 8, 10, and 25 (approximately 25
pages)
Chapters 31 and Epilogue (approximately 25
pages)
Friday, January 31st
Monday, February 3rd
Journal checks will occur on the dates mentioned on the charts above. Each entry should be clearly labeled with the journal question as the title
and the date flushed to the right. You’ll submit 6 entries. Each entry should be at least 250 words.
Content (x6)
Grammar and Mechanics (x3)
Format (x1)
Exemplary (10)
Proficient (8)
Emerging (6)
Content is thorough and
complete. The focus of the
writing is based on analysis and
not summary of the text. There
are connections created
between the reader and the
text. An exhaustive analysis of
pertinent literary details was
conducted.
Very few, if any grammar and
mechanics errors. None detract
from the reader’s
comprehension.
Content is and complete. The
focus of the writing is mostly
based on analysis, but
summary of the text is too
overpowering. There are
connections created between
the reader and the text. A
thorough analysis of pertinent
literary details was conducted.
Some grammar and mechanics
errors present. Most do not
interfere with the meaning of
the journal entries.
Entry is mainly summary
and/or little to no analysis
completed. No connections
between the text and the
reader were explored. Few, if
any, literary elements were
discussed, or the discussion
lacked depth and connection to
the piece.
Several grammar and
mechanics errors and/or the
content is unclear due to poor
usage.
All entries are typed, 12 point
Times New Roman, double
spaced, and in proper MLA
format.
Two or more errors in
formatting and/or MLA format.
Three or more errors in
formatting and/or MLA format.