Composition & Essays

Lord of the Flies

Other Studies

Poetry

Shakespeare

To Kill A Mockingbird

Mindy Pei

Grade: 10

To Kill A Mockingbird:

Unit Plan Rationale

This unit focuses on the students. It can be assumed that students will learn better if they are actively taking part in the learning process. Therefore, students will have the opportunity to make decisions about their learning experiences. Much of the unit is student focused, and as such, students are encouraged to share their own ideas, opinions, and experiences with issues surrounding the novel.

Most of the assignments in this unit require students to work as individuals, although there is one opportunity for them to work with a partner. Whole class activities are also used frequently throughout the unit to help the students develop their listening and speaking skills. Discussions involve the whole class; it is important for students to hear and understand a wide variety of opinions and interpretations to a text. Students will be encouraged to take differing opinions into account, and respect them. Students do not necessarily have to agree with the opinion, but should be able to recognize the validity of it. This will also help students to develop their critical thinking skills, which is important, especially in today’s media driven society.

There is a strong focus in this unit on social injustice and racism, which are two major themes in the novel, and also very much relevant in our lives today. This focus will encourage students to think critically about how many of the injustices that are found in the novel still occur today. It is the hope that after discussing these issues, and asking students to contribute their own experiences and opinions, the students will become more sensitive to them, and gain a better understanding of differences in our society.