English II
Things Fall Apart Unit Plan with Common Core
Day One:
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Read “Alexis de Tocqueville Predicts the Indians’ Future” (Great American Spirit pg. 342) (IT
Standards 1, 3, 8, and 9) (S and L Standards 1)
o Were Tocqueville’s predictions about the future of the American Indian correct? Find
details from the text AND your knowledge of American history to support your opinions.
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Read and discuss the National Geographic article “Fighting for the Survival of Uncontacted
Tribes” (IT Standards 1, 3, and 7) (Writing Standard 9) (S and L Standards 1)
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2010/04/29/fighting_for_the_survival_of_uncontact
ed_tribes/
o What two points of view are presented in this text?
o What point of view does the author side with? Give specific examples from the text to
explain how you know this.
o Which point of view do you side with? Give reasoning to support your opinion
Day Two:
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Introduce Post-Colonialism: http://prezi.com/zjxksxh-gwui/postcolonialism/
o What is post-colonialism?
o What are the major traits of this theory?
o Why is the concept of power important to the theory of post-colonialism?
o Begin to apply post-colonialism to “Don’t Drink the Water” (Lit. Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6,
and 7) (S and L Standards 1 and 2)
 Who is the speaker of the song?
 What is the theme of the song? Give specific lines from the text to support your
opinion.
 How is irony conveyed in the song? What words help to emphasize the irony of
this song?
 Who has privilege? Who is the other? Upon thinking about the song through a
post-colonial lens, does your opinion of the theme of the song change?
o Apply post-colonialism to the political cartoon “White Man’s Burden.” (IT Standards 1,
2, 3, and 6) (S and L Standards 1 and 2)
 What is the cartoon about? What groups are represented? How are they
portrayed (give specific details to support your thoughts)?
 Who is given privilege? Who are the others? Give details to support your
thoughts
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Is there any way we can privilege the “other” groups? What does this do to
your understanding of the cartoon? Explain a deeper understanding/new
understanding of the cartoon in light of our discussion.
Day 3
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Read W.B. Yeats “The Second Coming” (Lit. Standards 1, 2, and 4) (S and L Standards 1)
o Identify the theme of the poem. Be sure to give specific details from the text to support
your thoughts.
o Looking at the first stanza, who/what might the falcon and the falconer represent?
o Why would “anarchy be loosed on the world”?
o How do you interpret the last two lines of the first stanza? How does your knowledge
that this poem was written at the end of World War I influence your reading of the
poem? Could this poem be applied to your lifetime? Explain why/why not using specific
examples from your knowledge of your community/country/world today.
Read “Dead Men’s Path”(Lit. Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) (S and L Standards 1)
o Using a double-bubble map, compare and contrast Michael Obi and the priest.
o What two cultures do these two individuals represent? What does each culture want?
How does each character go about trying to get what he wants? What culture is
privileged? Which one is the “other”?
o Which character is right? Explain your answer using specific details from the text
Read The first chapter of Things Fall Apart for homework
o Bring back a list of three specific traits of the Ibo society you gathered from reading the
first chapter
Day 4
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
Listen to Harry Chapin’s “The Cat’s in the Cradle” (Lit. Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7) (S and L
Standards 1 and 2)
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OqwKfgLaeA
o Focus on the character development of both the father and the son in this song. Be sure
to use direct references to the text to support your thoughts.
Discuss Ch. 1 and read Ch. 2-3 in class. (Lit. Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) (S and L Standards 1)
o Focus on the development of Okonkwo’s character and how he fits into his society.
o Highlight the interactions between Okonkwo and his father. How are they similar?
Different? What might cause these differences?
o Read Ch. 4 for homework. Focus on the role of women in Ibo society.
Day 5
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Read the following article from The Charlotte Observer:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/07/12/3378108/saudi-female-athletes-to-
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compete.html (IT Standards 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8) (Writing Standards 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9) (S and L
Standards 1)
o Is it important for women to compete in sports?
Discuss Chapter 4 and read chapter’s 5-7. (Lit. Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) (S and L Standards 1)
o Using specific details from the text, explain how Achebe displays the role of women in
Ibo society.
o Explain how Achebe develops Okonkwo’s character in these chapters. What motivates
this character? What causes both external and internal conflicts for Okonkwo? How
does Okonkwo deal with these conflicts?
o How are the relationships of parents and children developed in these chapters? This is a
key theme of the entire work so keep an eye out during the remainder of the novel.
Read chapter 8 for homework
o Focus on how the relationships of parents and children is portrayed in this chapter.
Day 6
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Read the National Geographic article “African Masks”
(http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/04/african-masks/newman-text): (IT Standards 1, 2,
3, 6, and 8) (Writing Standards 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9) (S and L Standards 1, 2, 4, and 5)
o What is the significance of the masks?
o Of the masks presented, which one did you find the most interesting? What does the
mask represent? Why did it draw your attention? Use specific details from the mask
(i.e. size, colors, patterns, shapes, symbols, etc…) to explain your thoughts.
o Construct a visual mask (either on paper or digitally) that represents you as a member of
a particular group (society/culture) and post it on your website. Write a detailed
reflection that explains the process you used to construct the meaning in your mask
Discuss chapter 8 and read through chapter 12(Lit. Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6)
o How does Achebe further develop the character of Okonkwo in these chapters?
o How are the relationships between men and women portrayed in these chapters? Does
this conflict with earlier representations in the novel?
o What aspects of marriage are highlighted in this section of the novel? Do you agree or
disagree with the way marriages are formed in this society? Give specific details from
the text to support your opinion
Read chapter 13 for homework
o What do you predict will happen to Okonkwo as a result of the tragedy he suffers in this
chapter? Be sure to include reasons for your predictions.
Day 7

Read the article “The Stages of Grief After a Breakup” (IT Standards 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8) (Writing
Standards 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9)
(http://www.livestrong.com/article/125018-stages-grief-after-breakup/).
o How have you seen the stages of grief in your life?
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Read chapters 14-15 in class (Lit. Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) (S and L Standards 1, 2, 4, and 5)
o How does Okonkwo show signs of grief in chapter 14? How does his uncle try to help
him deal with his grief?
o The white missionaries are first mentioned in chapter 15. How does Obierika
characterize the missionaries?
Read chapter 16 for homework
o Contrast Obierika’s second visit to Mbanta to his first.
 How is the tone of the visit different? What has caused this?
 What important news does he bring Okonkwo? What does Okonkwo tell
Obierika?
Day 8
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Discuss chapter 16
Read chapters 17-18 (Lit. Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) (S and L Standards 1, 2, 4, and 5)
o Explain the difficulties the white missionaries faced in trying to establish themselves in
Mbanta
o In these chapters, what group is privileged? Who are “others”? Explain how you know
using specific evidence from the text.
Read chapter 19 for homework
o Focus on comparing/contrasting Okonkwo’s entrance into Mbanta with his exit.
Day 9
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Discuss chapter 19
Read chapters 20-22 (Lit. Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) (S and L Standards 1, 2, 4, and 5)
o Explain why Okonkwo is disappointed by his return to Umuofia
o Contrast Mr. Brown and Rev. Smith
o Explain how the missionaries gain a foothold in Umuofia
Read chapter 23 for homework
o How does Achebe characterize the District Commissioner and the colonial government?
Be sure to include plenty of evidence from the text.
Day 10
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View the following interview with Chinua Achebe: (IT Standards 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8) (Writing
Standards 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9) (S and L Standards 1, 2, 4, and 5)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoi9ANh0l6c&list=PL5B77EA1252F85FEA&feature=mh_lolz
o What is your impression of the author?
o What is his emphasis in this interview?
o Explain how his view of his people has changed over the course of his life
Discuss chapter 23
Finish the novel (Lit. Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) (S and L Standards 1, 2, 4, and 5)
o
o
Why did Okonkwo kill the messenger? What was he hoping to gain? Why did he
commit suicide?
Explain the significance of the last paragraph in the book
 How does the District Commissioner’s view of the events surrounding
Okonkwo’s death contrast with Obierika’s?
 How does the District Commissioner view himself in relation to the people he
governs?
 What is the significance of the title of the book the District Commissioner plans
to write (be sure to apply post-colonial theory)?
Research suggestion: (Language Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) (S and L Standards 2, 4, and 5)
Research a group that you currently see as being treated as the “other” today (either in the U.S.
or somewhere in the world). How does being treated as the “other” impact the lives of these individuals
and is it possible to help this group become respected in their culture? Discover at least three reasons
for this division and offer at least one way to begin to rectify this division. Predict what would happen if
your suggestion would be implemented. After the paper is completed, construct a digital media
presentation that highlights your finding for your classmates.