Audrey Roach

TLU Handout- Literature circles, young adult literature, and perseverance

Persevering In the Face of Adversity

Learning targets and content generalizations:

1. Students will use a variety of strategies to demonstrate comprehension (e.g. using text to share passages, ask questions, discuss literary elements, and make personal connections to his/her life). (Skill/Strategy)

2. Students will identify the theme and supporting details in a literary text and use this information to create a literary summary. (Skill/Strategy)

3. Students will compare and contrast common recurring themes in books by different authors to gain a broader understanding of a topic, concept, or theme. (Skill/Strategy)

4. Students will work cooperatively in groups. (Skill/Process)

5. Students will understand the importance of persevering in the face of adversity. (Concept/Generalization)

· While many people may stumble in times of adversity, the important thing is that they keep fighting to reach their goals.

· Character and integrity are qualities individuals need to persevere.

· Often, people need the help of others to persevere.

· Persevering through hardships teaches people important lessons that last a lifetime.

Annotated Booklist

Flake, S. (1998). The Skin I’m In. New York: Hyperion Paperbacks for Children.

Maleeka hates her life. Her skin is too dark, her father just died, and she is constantly bullied at school. A new teacher with a large birthmark on her face teaches Maleeka many lessons about the importance of loving yourself, standing up for what you believe in, and not giving up when times get tough.

Martinez, V. (1996). Parrot in the Oven. New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

Manny is a Mexican-American boy living in the city. His father is abusive and his family is very poor. Still, Manny hopes for a world where he is in control of his own life and where he can get respect for standing up for what he believes is right.

Lipsyte, R. (1967). The Contender. New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

Alfred Brooks is a high school dropout who finds strength, companionship, and friendship when he joins the neighborhood boxing gym. As he trains to become a boxer, Alfred learns many things about himself and the why it’s important to keep fighting to reach your goals.

Houston, J., & Houston, J. (1973). Farewell to Manzanar. New York: Random House Inc.

After she and her family are ordered to the Manzanar internment camp, Jeanne Wakatsuki tells a compelling story of love, cooperation, and perseverance behind the barbed wires of a Japanese internment camp.

Cooper, M. (2002). Remembering Manzanar: Life in a Japanese Relocation Camp. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

A thoroughly researched informational book written with the help of journals, memoirs, news accounts, and photographs depicting life in the Manzanar internment camp. The book highlights the internee’s bravery and resilience.

Picture books

Coles, R. (1995). The Story of Ruby Bridges. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

I will use this book to help in the introduction of the theme.

Mochizuki, K. (1993). Baseball Saved Us. New York: Lee & Low Books, Inc.

I will use this book to model finding literary elements.