Mayli Apontti
Info 237: School Library Media Materials
Curricular Text Set
Info 237: School Library Media Materials
Curricular Text Set
Audience: 8th Grade
Anchor Text: The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
Purpose: To explore the essential question, "How do we define ourselves?"
Anchor Text: The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
Purpose: To explore the essential question, "How do we define ourselves?"
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
This novel continues to be celebrated as an iconic classic and is hailed for having set the groundwork for the young adult genre. While the book is loved by people of all ages, it continues to have a particular impact on young readers. The narrative, which is told through the lens of Ponyboy, takes us into the violent world of the "greasers" and the "socs," whose rivalry leads to destruction and ultimately, loss. The book openly and honestly explores the raw themes of identity, violence, gang culture, friendship, and family, all of which are themes that continue to be relevant today. As the anchor text for this text set, The Outsiders illuminates the central theme of identity; through this reading, the text set explores the various ways we seek to define ourselves.
This novel continues to be celebrated as an iconic classic and is hailed for having set the groundwork for the young adult genre. While the book is loved by people of all ages, it continues to have a particular impact on young readers. The narrative, which is told through the lens of Ponyboy, takes us into the violent world of the "greasers" and the "socs," whose rivalry leads to destruction and ultimately, loss. The book openly and honestly explores the raw themes of identity, violence, gang culture, friendship, and family, all of which are themes that continue to be relevant today. As the anchor text for this text set, The Outsiders illuminates the central theme of identity; through this reading, the text set explores the various ways we seek to define ourselves.
"We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks
This poem explores the theme of collective identity, especially identity that is found within gang culture. The poem also describes the carefree attitude and a kind of recklessness that is accompanied by gang mentality, which could ultimately lead to dire consequences. This text is appropriate for exploring collective identity, specifically the often -carefree attitude of gang members, which resonates with several of the characters in The Outsiders.
"We Real Cool" read by Gwendolyn Brooks (YouTube)
This audio clip is intended to serve as a supplementary piece to the print poem and will be offered to students only after they have read the poem on their own. The purpose of using the clip is twofold: 1) students would be able to hear the poem being read aloud by the poet herself, and 2) this reading may reveal new meanings and interpretations that students were not aware of during their first reading and initial assessment.
This audio clip is intended to serve as a supplementary piece to the print poem and will be offered to students only after they have read the poem on their own. The purpose of using the clip is twofold: 1) students would be able to hear the poem being read aloud by the poet herself, and 2) this reading may reveal new meanings and interpretations that students were not aware of during their first reading and initial assessment.
"Self-Concept" by Saul McLeod
This informational text is intended to explore the idea of “self-concept,” which is an important term in social psychology. The author examines the meaning of the term “self-concept” from a social psychology perspective, and encourages students to consider the three main aspects encompassed in self-concept: self-image, self-esteem, and ideal self. This article ties in with the theme of self-identity.
This informational text is intended to explore the idea of “self-concept,” which is an important term in social psychology. The author examines the meaning of the term “self-concept” from a social psychology perspective, and encourages students to consider the three main aspects encompassed in self-concept: self-image, self-esteem, and ideal self. This article ties in with the theme of self-identity.
“Hello, My Name Is _________” by Jason Kim
This text explores another kind of identity: cultural identity. It also touches on the theme of being an outsider, which is very much explored in the anchor text. The author recounts his early childhood experiences of attending an American school, and reflects upon how he experienced shame of his Korean background. The text is essentially about overcoming this shame of self, and what’s more, it encourages readers to be take pride in their cultural identities. This text is important to discuss because it explores how society, peers, schools, families, etc. all influence and shape who we are, whether we accept these influences or not.
This text explores another kind of identity: cultural identity. It also touches on the theme of being an outsider, which is very much explored in the anchor text. The author recounts his early childhood experiences of attending an American school, and reflects upon how he experienced shame of his Korean background. The text is essentially about overcoming this shame of self, and what’s more, it encourages readers to be take pride in their cultural identities. This text is important to discuss because it explores how society, peers, schools, families, etc. all influence and shape who we are, whether we accept these influences or not.
“Your Perception is What Counts: Why You Need to Define Yourself” by Paul Hudson
This article is intended to encourage students to begin considering why it’s important that they define themselves in a constantly changing world. As an opinion piece, the author brings up several reasons as to why individuals should take charge of their own identities in response to a fast-changing world. The article serves as a good introduction for students who are beginning to explore their individual selves, as well as the responsibilities that come with young adulthood.
This article is intended to encourage students to begin considering why it’s important that they define themselves in a constantly changing world. As an opinion piece, the author brings up several reasons as to why individuals should take charge of their own identities in response to a fast-changing world. The article serves as a good introduction for students who are beginning to explore their individual selves, as well as the responsibilities that come with young adulthood.
"What I Am" by Edie Brickell
This song explores the theme of identity and is intended to encourage students to think about how they perceive themselves. The line, “what I am is what I am” is often repeated like an affirmation. Even though the lyrics in this song are minimal and expressed in simple language, the artist is responding to the philosophical and religious definitions of identity, which an older audience might better understand. Additionally, the artist repeats the line “what I am is what I am” (instead of “who I am”), stating that she claims herself for who and what she already is.
This song explores the theme of identity and is intended to encourage students to think about how they perceive themselves. The line, “what I am is what I am” is often repeated like an affirmation. Even though the lyrics in this song are minimal and expressed in simple language, the artist is responding to the philosophical and religious definitions of identity, which an older audience might better understand. Additionally, the artist repeats the line “what I am is what I am” (instead of “who I am”), stating that she claims herself for who and what she already is.
“How Do You Define Yourself?” Lizzie Velasquez
This incredible Tedx Talk by Lizzie Velasquez is intended to inspire students and directly ask them how they define themselves. Part motivational speech and part memoir, this video will also engage students to consider how they define themselves when faced with adversity. This video explores the theme of individual identity, and more importantly, how identity is shaped by hardship and personal trials. The question, “How do you define yourself?” ties in perfectly with the purpose of the text set. This video will serve as a final, thought-provoking reflection on the theme of identity.
This incredible Tedx Talk by Lizzie Velasquez is intended to inspire students and directly ask them how they define themselves. Part motivational speech and part memoir, this video will also engage students to consider how they define themselves when faced with adversity. This video explores the theme of individual identity, and more importantly, how identity is shaped by hardship and personal trials. The question, “How do you define yourself?” ties in perfectly with the purpose of the text set. This video will serve as a final, thought-provoking reflection on the theme of identity.
Text Collection: List and Links
- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (novel) available on Amazon
- "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks (poem) - Poetry Foundation
- "We Real Cool" read by Gwendolyn Brooks (poem/ audio) - YouTube
- "Self-Concept" by Saul McLeod (informational text) - Simply Psychology
- “Hello, My Name Is _________” by Jason Kim (memoir) - Lenny Letter
- “Your Perception is What Counts: Why You Need to Define Yourself” by Paul Hudson (informational text) - Elite Daily
- "What I Am" by Edie Brickell - YouTube
- “How Do You Define Yourself?” - Lizzie Velasquez - YouTube