th
6
Grade
Unit 1
“We are in the world
to change the world.”
-Kathe Kollwitz
“Be the change
you wish to see
in the world.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
Any Small Goodness
by Tony Johnston
We are in the world to change the world.
-Kathe Kollwitz
Be the change
you wish to see in the world.
-Mahatma Gandhi
What is the relationship
between the quote and the title of the book?
Choose one of the quotes listed above.
In your reading notebook, write your
opinion about how the quote relates to
the title of Tony Johnston’s book.
Foreshadow: Tony Johnston uses the
technique of foreshadowing to set the tone of
the novel.
Think/pair/share:
• Read the introduction and dedication that comes before
chapter 1.
• Think about the sentences that the author uses to set the
mood of the novel.
• Choose and write down one or two sentences that
foreshadow what might be coming up in the novel.
• Turn to your neighbor and share the sentences that you
chose and share what you predict what the novel might be
about.
How do your words and actions
affect your world?
Chapter 1: American Names
Vocabulary:
pervade:
barrio:
random:
excessively:
disfavor:
(Chapter 1 Vocabulary, cont.)
fiesty:
apprise:
reclaim:
Review: Figurative Language
What are the two commonly used forms
of figurative language?
Chapter 1: American Names
Literature Based Writing:
•Describe Arturo. Make a list of his
character traits.
Point of View
•Read pages 28-29 in Crosswalk Coach.
•Take notes about the differences of POV.
•Answer the questions on pages 30 and 31 in
your notebook.
Point of View
•First-person point of view:
Point of View
• Third-person point of view
•Third-person omniscient point of view
Point of View
• Second-person point of view
Point of View
•Who is the narrator?
•This novel is written from
which point of view?
•How do you know?
Chapter 2: Corn Fungus
Literature Based Writing:
What does Papi mean when he
says, “When no eyes are upon
him, that is a person’s true
test”?
Theme: main message or lesson
What is one theme of this
novel?
Summary:
•a short retelling of a text
in the reader’s own
words.
Chapter 3: The Coach
Literature Based Writing:
As a class, write a summary
of this chapter.
Chapter 4: Piano Lessons
glean:
rebuffment:
Chapter 4: Piano Lessons
Read about Papi and Arturo in
chapter 4. What does their
quotes and thoughts say about
their personality?
Chapter 4: Piano Lessons
Literature Based Writing:
How does this chapter help us
to better understand the
theme of this novel?
Frank McCourt
“Stock your mind
and you can
move through
the world
resplendent.”
Chapter 5: The River
resplendent:
lenience:
Chapter 5: The River
Literature Based Writing:
Why does the author choose
the words she does to end
the chapter?
See quote on following slide.
Chapter 5, page 77
“…I hope this very minuto she’s in some
other barrio – in full-twinkle – and full of
disguise – fully resplendent, spouting the
glory of books…And the rain comes
down.”
“A Poem for My Librarian”
by Nikki Giovanni
Chapter 6: The Band
confrontation:
Chapter 6: The Band
Literature Based Writing:
In your opinion, do you think that
Arturo wants to emulate his
father? Use details from the text
to support your claim.
Chapter 7: The Lunch Box
Sort the vocabulary words into categories.
wronged
strafe
rivet
perpetrator
revenge
emulate
Chapter 7: The Lunch Box
Literature Based Writing:
Make a list of at least ten words
that you could use to describe
what happened to Arturo’s family.
Chapter 7: The Lunch Box
Literature Based Writing:
Write at least three quotes
from the chapter that support
the theme of the book.
Chapter 8:
The Green Needle Gang
Literature Based Writing: In chapter 7
Arturo stated that he was angry and
untrusting. On page 105 he thinks, “And if
I am lucky, no eyes will be on me.”
What do you think he will do for revenge?
Chapter 8:
The Green Needle Gang
Literature Based Writing:
Why does Raul yell, “Excelsior!”
Chapter 9:
Christmas Presents
Literature Based Writing:
In your own words write the
theme of the book. Use three
examples from the text to support
your claim.
Change and Growth
•How does Arturo change and grow
throughout the book?
•Who does he want to emulate and why?
(Who were the characters who have
influenced Arturo?)
•Use the character map to help you.
“I, Too, Sing America”
by Langston Hughes
“The Road Not Taken”
by Robert Frost
Related Poems
• Read the poems on the hand-outs.
• Choose one of the poems related to Any Small
Goodness.
• Peruse the poets’ websites to learn more about the
poets to help you understand their point of view.
• Listen to the poets delivering their poems on CD or on
YouTube.
• Practice reciting the poem that you have chosen.
• Interpret the poems after hearing, seeing, and
observing multimedia forms.
• Share your analysis of experiencing the poem in
multimedia forms.
Harvesting Hope: The
Story of Cesar Chavez
Introduction to writing biographies:
• Make an outline to help organize the
essay.