The Capitol Offense video was created and developed by my high school students and a professional videographer. As their English Teacher, I asked the students, "Do you support Capital Punishment?" After the students researched some Capital Punishment issues, interviewed teachers, and others for gathering opinions on the subject, they created the Capital Offense video that reveals their conclusion. See the Capital Offense Video linked to "A Lesson Before Dying" Lesson Plan. showing a creative thinking developmental plan for high school students. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines Mary Scott Subject: English/ELD Grade Level: 9th UNIT OVERVIEW: A Lesson Before Dying "addresses the basic predicament of what it is to be a human being, striving for dignity in a universe that often denies it." Therefore, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Capital Punishment, and the Death Penalty are topics used to enhance the students reading of Ernest Gaines's novel A Lesson Before Dying. The students will grapple with Human Rights issues, the workings of the justice system, and analyze the death penalty cases. The topics for discussion are designed to assist the student's ability to critique a literary work, and draw parables between the death row case of Jefferson (the fictional character) and Abu Qadir Al-Amin (an ex-death row inmate). The listening preparation aided the students with comparing Jefferson's death-row sentencing with Mr. Al-Amin's death-row case. Hence, by comparing the two death row cases, the students were better prepared for developing and posing interview questions for Mr. Al-Amin, the guest speaker. The Listening and Speaking Standards are essential for developing the student's ability to engage in meaningful dialogue. The six-week unit activities will focus on the various social, and political aspects of A Lesson Before Dying. The students will look for markers, e.g. social justice, ethical, racial and political aspects of the novel. Students will engage in meaningful dialogue about how words are used to humiliate and redeem one's character. The students will also learn to identify main ideas, use main ideas to draw inferences, conclusions, and generalizations about the novel. Ultimately, the students will compose a journal using textual evidence, develop a high school exit and employment portfolio, create a Death Penalty Documentary, and complete an essay final that addresses the essential question ("What quality of will must a Negro possess to live and die in a country that denied his humanity"). Thus, this unit is primarily designed to boost the student's self-esteem, aid students in developing their critical thinking, reading comprehension, oral speaking, and writing skills. The student high school exit/employment portfolio is a culmination of lessons that stem from the novel, A Lesson Before Dying. The student portfolio includes an autobiographical book, an A Lesson Before Dying journal, teacher recommendation letters, resumes, awards, and student created personalized business cards. Consequently, the novel, A Lesson Before Dying introduces the students to the concept of accountability, responsibility, critical thinking, moral values, ethical awareness, and loyalty to self and other people. Thus, the study of the novel is linked to the six-week unit activities designed to boost self-esteem, introduce employment interview techniques, and highlight the computer technology skills required by the employment industry. ESSENTIAL QUESTION: "What quality of will must a Negro possess to live and die with dignity in a country that denied his humanity? (341) " Richard Wright. Black Boy SUB-QUESTIONS: What is a human right? How do you define Justice? What is the relationship between injustice and self-esteem? Themes and Content Standards: The following themes and content standards are used as guides to help the students focus on their own self-esteem, self-motivation, and self-direction awareness.

• published: 25 Sep 2014
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