Speak - a curricular text set for high schoolers
Anchor Text and Audience
The anchor text for this set is the young adult novel(la) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
While the proposed lexile level of the book puts it in a lower grade bracket, the plot content and overall theme are too mature and emotionally challenging for younger audiences. Thus, the proposed audience for this lesson would be advanced 9th graders and up; this allows for not only English comprehension with a complex theme, but for emotional maturity when dealing with a difficult topic as well.
Text Set Purpose
The purpose of my text set is to explicate on the difficult theme of assault presented in Speak, as well as have students practice critical thinking skills on topics revolving around the theme.
There are a lot of important topics in the novella; dealing with sexual assault, depression, loss of friends, difficulties navigating high school life, isolation, and loneliness. All of these themes resonate with teens, and so drawing on the class’ own ideas and experiences in a way that will allow them to grow as good citizens is my overall goal. As a note: many lessons aimed at staying safe in our schools completely ignore how rape culture comes in to play. As such, my searching for texts does seek to include texts aimed at a male perspective on assault topics.
The anchor text for this set is the young adult novel(la) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
While the proposed lexile level of the book puts it in a lower grade bracket, the plot content and overall theme are too mature and emotionally challenging for younger audiences. Thus, the proposed audience for this lesson would be advanced 9th graders and up; this allows for not only English comprehension with a complex theme, but for emotional maturity when dealing with a difficult topic as well.
Text Set Purpose
The purpose of my text set is to explicate on the difficult theme of assault presented in Speak, as well as have students practice critical thinking skills on topics revolving around the theme.
There are a lot of important topics in the novella; dealing with sexual assault, depression, loss of friends, difficulties navigating high school life, isolation, and loneliness. All of these themes resonate with teens, and so drawing on the class’ own ideas and experiences in a way that will allow them to grow as good citizens is my overall goal. As a note: many lessons aimed at staying safe in our schools completely ignore how rape culture comes in to play. As such, my searching for texts does seek to include texts aimed at a male perspective on assault topics.
Standards
The purpose of my text set is to explicate on the difficult theme of assault presented in Speak, as well as have students practice critical thinking skills on topics revolving around the theme.
The purpose of my text set is to explicate on the difficult theme of assault presented in Speak, as well as have students practice critical thinking skills on topics revolving around the theme.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper). - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.6
Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose. - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3.E
Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative. - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.8
Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation. - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.5
Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.
Text Set Listing
Angelou, M. (1975). “Alone.” Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well. New York: Random House.
Description: a short poem that can tie in with the novella Speak. It can be used in a literary terms mini lesson, such as focusing on figurative language while reading. The poem resonates with teens who feel outcast, alone, or misunderstood.
Angelou, M. (1975). “Alone.” Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well. New York: Random House.
Description: a short poem that can tie in with the novella Speak. It can be used in a literary terms mini lesson, such as focusing on figurative language while reading. The poem resonates with teens who feel outcast, alone, or misunderstood.
Hoder, R. (2012, March 07). For Teenage Girls, Facebook Means Always Being Camera-Ready.
Description: article on the New York Times parenting blog that discusses how teenage girls always feel the pressure to be liked. They are judged by their peers, friends, strangers online...and how this type of constant need to be pretty and trendy is making children grow up too fast. The text complexity is perfect for emerging ninth-grade readers, making it ideal to use in a whole-class setting; the struggling readers will still be able to access the information.
Description: article on the New York Times parenting blog that discusses how teenage girls always feel the pressure to be liked. They are judged by their peers, friends, strangers online...and how this type of constant need to be pretty and trendy is making children grow up too fast. The text complexity is perfect for emerging ninth-grade readers, making it ideal to use in a whole-class setting; the struggling readers will still be able to access the information.
Grinberg, E. (2014, April 12). 'Speak' author: 'We as adults struggle to talk to kids honestly about sex'.
Description: This article interviews the author of Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson. The article provides insight into why Anderson wrote the story, and it’s importance on issues of assault, sexual violence, and teenage depression. The text is more complex than the former article; but it can still be successfully used in a whole-class reading setting so struggling readers can understand and process the information.
Description: This article interviews the author of Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson. The article provides insight into why Anderson wrote the story, and it’s importance on issues of assault, sexual violence, and teenage depression. The text is more complex than the former article; but it can still be successfully used in a whole-class reading setting so struggling readers can understand and process the information.
Katz , J. (2013, February 11). Violence against women-it's a men's issue: Jackson Katz at TEDxFiDiWomen.
Description: This is a fantastic 15-minute TEDTalk from Jackson Katz, a prominent anti-bigotry activist and expert on the study of masculinity. In this talk, Katz discusses how our society and culture shift the blame from perpetrator to the victims, especially in issues of women’s safety and health. He encourages our society to call out bad behavior, and for men to speak up with their fellow man in situations that otherwise might be chalked up to “boys will be boys.” This film is mostly 9th-grade level, but very challenging as some of the talk goes pretty quickly. Can be used with context vocabulary sheets or Cornell guided notes to assist in watching/listening.
Description: This is a fantastic 15-minute TEDTalk from Jackson Katz, a prominent anti-bigotry activist and expert on the study of masculinity. In this talk, Katz discusses how our society and culture shift the blame from perpetrator to the victims, especially in issues of women’s safety and health. He encourages our society to call out bad behavior, and for men to speak up with their fellow man in situations that otherwise might be chalked up to “boys will be boys.” This film is mostly 9th-grade level, but very challenging as some of the talk goes pretty quickly. Can be used with context vocabulary sheets or Cornell guided notes to assist in watching/listening.
Lady Gaga. (2015, September 17). Til It Happens To You.
Mokoena, T. (2015, September 18). Lady Gaga releases music video about sexual assault at university.
Description: A song with optional music video. Lady Gaga created this song for a video about college campus rape, so the imagery is shocking and may be too graphic for some viewers (though no actual nudity is shown). The song can be used as a jumping off point to discuss the horrifying statistics about rape, or to discuss the warning signs of someone dealing with depression from sexual violence. The lyrics themselves are simple; even those with struggling reading skills can hear and read the lyrics without difficulty. The lyrics are also not graphic; they could be talking about any kind of loss, depression, or trauma. Without the visuals from the video, it’s a good talking point for what has happened in order for the listener to know how it feels. The accompanying article gives insight and background into the creation of the song and its important message.
Mokoena, T. (2015, September 18). Lady Gaga releases music video about sexual assault at university.
Description: A song with optional music video. Lady Gaga created this song for a video about college campus rape, so the imagery is shocking and may be too graphic for some viewers (though no actual nudity is shown). The song can be used as a jumping off point to discuss the horrifying statistics about rape, or to discuss the warning signs of someone dealing with depression from sexual violence. The lyrics themselves are simple; even those with struggling reading skills can hear and read the lyrics without difficulty. The lyrics are also not graphic; they could be talking about any kind of loss, depression, or trauma. Without the visuals from the video, it’s a good talking point for what has happened in order for the listener to know how it feels. The accompanying article gives insight and background into the creation of the song and its important message.
Guante. (2016, November 06). Action (Spoken Word on Disrupting Rape Culture).
Guante. (2012, December 07). "Action" and men's responsibility to end rape culture.
Description: The artist, Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre, is a poet, MC, activist, two-time National Poetry Slam champion, and educator. He resonates with teens because he is a person of color, and teens are usually receptive to spoken word “slam” poetry. Guante’s message in “Action” is all about breaking the perception of rape culture, and how it is men's responsibility to fight back against rape culture even if it’s a friend. The first link is a good YouTube video of Guante performing his poem, and the second link goes to his website, where he discusses his inspiration for wanting to create this poem, and extended thoughts on the issue. The complexity of the text is appropriate for ninth grade, but the explicit theme can push it into higher grade levels. The audio helps those struggling students who may not be up to the same level of skill as others.
Guante. (2012, December 07). "Action" and men's responsibility to end rape culture.
Description: The artist, Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre, is a poet, MC, activist, two-time National Poetry Slam champion, and educator. He resonates with teens because he is a person of color, and teens are usually receptive to spoken word “slam” poetry. Guante’s message in “Action” is all about breaking the perception of rape culture, and how it is men's responsibility to fight back against rape culture even if it’s a friend. The first link is a good YouTube video of Guante performing his poem, and the second link goes to his website, where he discusses his inspiration for wanting to create this poem, and extended thoughts on the issue. The complexity of the text is appropriate for ninth grade, but the explicit theme can push it into higher grade levels. The audio helps those struggling students who may not be up to the same level of skill as others.
Cummings, B. (n.d.). From the Voice Within: A Multigenre journey through Laurie Halse Anderson's novel Speak.
Description: This scholarly project by Brienne Cummings is a ‘zine-type product, showcasing art, photography, and writing. The entire text focuses on Speak and the issues within the novel; each photo or bit of writing relates in some way to the issues presented in the original text. There are original poems as well as song lyrics, bits of other poetry, and even short writing on the issue of rape. The images are all related to the writing itself, or have significance to the text, such as the artwork of a tree.
The text complexity of the project is not difficult, and could be used easily with any high school class. Teachers could use this as a jumping off point to inspire students to create their own ‘zines. Students would be responsible for gathering images, creating art, finding relevant writing, and developing their own text to create a publication. This satisfies Common Core standards in collaboration, writing, utilizing technology, as well as connecting ideas to real-world situations.
Description: This scholarly project by Brienne Cummings is a ‘zine-type product, showcasing art, photography, and writing. The entire text focuses on Speak and the issues within the novel; each photo or bit of writing relates in some way to the issues presented in the original text. There are original poems as well as song lyrics, bits of other poetry, and even short writing on the issue of rape. The images are all related to the writing itself, or have significance to the text, such as the artwork of a tree.
The text complexity of the project is not difficult, and could be used easily with any high school class. Teachers could use this as a jumping off point to inspire students to create their own ‘zines. Students would be responsible for gathering images, creating art, finding relevant writing, and developing their own text to create a publication. This satisfies Common Core standards in collaboration, writing, utilizing technology, as well as connecting ideas to real-world situations.
Chbosky, S. (1999). The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Pocket Books.
Description: This book is a good tie-in to the themes in Speak, but from a male perspective. The main character in Perks is also a high school student trying to navigate life, and he is dealing with a painful secret he's tried to bury and suppress for many years until it comes bubbling up. The film could also be used to share similar themes with students. I think it is important to show that men can be victims too, and this is a touching story that will appeal to teens.
Description: This book is a good tie-in to the themes in Speak, but from a male perspective. The main character in Perks is also a high school student trying to navigate life, and he is dealing with a painful secret he's tried to bury and suppress for many years until it comes bubbling up. The film could also be used to share similar themes with students. I think it is important to show that men can be victims too, and this is a touching story that will appeal to teens.