The Individual and Society—How can one person make a difference?
This semester features the theme power of writing to transform. Students will examine a non-fiction work such as
a diary or memoir*, and explore how an individual has demonstrated courage or made an impact on the world.
Some suggested texts include, but are not limited to:
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Maus I and II by Art Spiegelman
Look Me in the Eye: My life with Aspergers by John Elder Robison
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to his White Mother by James McBride
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Bend, Not Break: A Life in Two Worlds by Ping Fu
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
1. Angela’s Ashes
2. ‘Tis
or
3. Teacher Man all by Frank McCourt
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakeur
This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Parents & Students,
Discuss which text will be appropriate for you as a reader. Some of the memoirs have mature themes or deal
with dark events from history. You need your book in class with you Friday, February 26th.
___________________________________ has my permission to read ____________________________
(Student Name)
(Selected memoir)
Parent Signature________________________________________________________________
*Memoir: An autobiography or a written account of one's memory of certain events or people.
How can one person make a difference? How do words have the power to hurt or heal?
What impact will you have on the world?
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Analyze, explain, and emulate language devices and grammatical structures for their intended effects.
Analyze literature for theme, character development, and use of language (literary and poetic devices).
Develop a position and cite strong textual evidence in support of it.
Concede opposing views and develop counter arguments.
Participate in shared inquiry and Socratic discussion through analysis and synthesis of ideas.
Write routinely to explore ideas and communicate levels of understanding.
Develop research questions and follow steps to ensure academic honesty.
Read critically and closely to demonstrate a depth of knowledge of the text.
Collaborate with peers on inquiry, analysis, research, writing, review, and presentation of ideas.
Employ text structures to sentences, paragraphs, and longer compositions based on the author’s purpose.
Craft clear and strong thesis statements and analysis, claims and evidence.
Compose objective summaries.
Make notes and gather information for future use.