Primary Resources
Anchor Text:
Lee, H. (1960). To kill a mockingbird. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics.
Theme: American justice for all
Central Question: How have themes of racial justice and injustice shaped American culture?
Audience: 9th Grade English. Students are at grade-level.
Standards: Anchor Standard 2: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
Anchor Standard 7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
Anchor Standard 9: Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
Lee, H. (1960). To kill a mockingbird. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics.
Theme: American justice for all
Central Question: How have themes of racial justice and injustice shaped American culture?
Audience: 9th Grade English. Students are at grade-level.
Standards: Anchor Standard 2: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
Anchor Standard 7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
Anchor Standard 9: Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
Supplementary Resources |
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The Life and Times of Richard Wright (Documentary). Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb6zfyeeh88
This documentary shows the struggles of an African American author to overcome racial stereotypes and injustice and achieve success.
This documentary shows the struggles of an African American author to overcome racial stereotypes and injustice and achieve success.
Wright, R. (1961). Almos’ a Man. In Eight men. Retrieved from: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~drbr2/wright.htm
This short story gives us the perspective of a poor, black southern boy (in the 1930s) transitioning from childhood to manhood. It complements and stands as a contrast to the young, white, female perspective in To kill a mockingbird.
This short story gives us the perspective of a poor, black southern boy (in the 1930s) transitioning from childhood to manhood. It complements and stands as a contrast to the young, white, female perspective in To kill a mockingbird.
Langston, H. (1936, 1926). Let America be America again and I, too. Retrieved from: https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/let-america-be-america-again
These poems deal with themes of equality and justice for every race in America, particularly African Americans. Both also discuss what it means to be a minority in America.
These poems deal with themes of equality and justice for every race in America, particularly African Americans. Both also discuss what it means to be a minority in America.
Newsela Staff. (2017). Race not completely defined by DNA. Tolerance.org via Newsela. Retrieved from: https://newsela.com/read/lib-biological-social-race-dna/id/30734/
An interesting article on common American misconceptions about race, and demonstrates the lack of biological differences between “so-called” races.
Newsela Staff. (2017). Immigration Act of 1924: Congress sets tough quotas on entering U.S. U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian via Newsela. Retrieved from: https://newsela.com/read/lib-immigration-act-1924/id/30255/
An article that talks about the restrictive immigration laws set in the twenties. The article demonstrates that immigration laws are very often tied to issues of race, and maintaining a homogeneous population in the U.S.
An interesting article on common American misconceptions about race, and demonstrates the lack of biological differences between “so-called” races.
Newsela Staff. (2017). Immigration Act of 1924: Congress sets tough quotas on entering U.S. U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian via Newsela. Retrieved from: https://newsela.com/read/lib-immigration-act-1924/id/30255/
An article that talks about the restrictive immigration laws set in the twenties. The article demonstrates that immigration laws are very often tied to issues of race, and maintaining a homogeneous population in the U.S.
Kennedy, J.F. (1986). A nation of immigrants. In The Immigrant Contribution. New York: Harper Collins.
This book reflects on the issue of immigration reform (an issue that has remained relevant throughout our history). In this particular chapter, Kennedy makes the point that all Americans are immigrants who have contributed to the shaping of our economy and our culture. It also talks about the idea of America being a melting pot.
This book reflects on the issue of immigration reform (an issue that has remained relevant throughout our history). In this particular chapter, Kennedy makes the point that all Americans are immigrants who have contributed to the shaping of our economy and our culture. It also talks about the idea of America being a melting pot.
Alexie, S. (2013). Indian education. In The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. Retrieved from: http://www.mpsaz.org/rmhs/staff/dmsokol/101/files/sherman_alexie.pdf
This short story deals with both white and native prejudice and stereotyping on a reservation, and how a child responds to it. This short story also complements the child perspectives in To Kill a Mockingbird and Almos’ a Man.
Alvarez, J. (1999). I want to be Miss America. In Something to Declare. Retrieved from: http://mrkamermanenglish9.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/6/9/38695419/miss_america.pdf
Another short story complementing To Kill a Mockingbird by offering three sisters’ perspectives on moving to America. Deals with stereotypes and pressures to fit-in.
Tan, A. (2006) Rules of the game. In The Joy Luck Club. Retrieved from: https://jg019.k12.sd.us/eng1/Assignment%20Documents/Rules%20of%20the%20Game.pdf
One more short story offering a child’s perspective on being a minority in America, and the stereotypes that have to be faced.
This short story deals with both white and native prejudice and stereotyping on a reservation, and how a child responds to it. This short story also complements the child perspectives in To Kill a Mockingbird and Almos’ a Man.
Alvarez, J. (1999). I want to be Miss America. In Something to Declare. Retrieved from: http://mrkamermanenglish9.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/6/9/38695419/miss_america.pdf
Another short story complementing To Kill a Mockingbird by offering three sisters’ perspectives on moving to America. Deals with stereotypes and pressures to fit-in.
Tan, A. (2006) Rules of the game. In The Joy Luck Club. Retrieved from: https://jg019.k12.sd.us/eng1/Assignment%20Documents/Rules%20of%20the%20Game.pdf
One more short story offering a child’s perspective on being a minority in America, and the stereotypes that have to be faced.
Disney, W. (Producer). (1955). Lady and the Tramp. [Video File].
Disney, W. (Producer). (1953). Peter Pan. [Video File].
Disney, W. (Producer). (1941). Dumbo. [Video File].
Examples of racism and stereotyping are found in many cartoons throughout movie history, and Disney movies are no exception. Specific instances of racism found in these movies are: the scene in which the Siamese cats sing "We are Siamese," the portrayal of Native Americans (especially the song “What Makes the Red Man Red”), and the portrayal of African Americans through the crows (especially Jim Crow).
Walt Disney Animation Studios. (Producer). (2016). Zootopia. [Video File].
Contrary to some of the older Disney movies, this movie takes on the issue of racism by arguing that prejudice is the cause of racism. This movie demonstrates that racism is still an important issue in society today.
Matten Productions. (Producer). (2008). Gran Torino. [Video File].
This movie deals with issues of racism and gang violence in a suburban setting.
Disney, W. (Producer). (1953). Peter Pan. [Video File].
Disney, W. (Producer). (1941). Dumbo. [Video File].
Examples of racism and stereotyping are found in many cartoons throughout movie history, and Disney movies are no exception. Specific instances of racism found in these movies are: the scene in which the Siamese cats sing "We are Siamese," the portrayal of Native Americans (especially the song “What Makes the Red Man Red”), and the portrayal of African Americans through the crows (especially Jim Crow).
Walt Disney Animation Studios. (Producer). (2016). Zootopia. [Video File].
Contrary to some of the older Disney movies, this movie takes on the issue of racism by arguing that prejudice is the cause of racism. This movie demonstrates that racism is still an important issue in society today.
Matten Productions. (Producer). (2008). Gran Torino. [Video File].
This movie deals with issues of racism and gang violence in a suburban setting.
Simone, N. Mississipi Goddam. Retrieved from: http://flavorwire.com/383498/10-songs-about-racism-that-dont-suck
This song expresses anger over the violence surrounding the Civil Rights movement.
Young, N. Southern Man. Retrieved from: http://flavorwire.com/383498/10-songs-about-racism-that-dont-suck/8
This song gives a descriptive picture of slavery and mistreatment of African Americans in the south.
This song expresses anger over the violence surrounding the Civil Rights movement.
Young, N. Southern Man. Retrieved from: http://flavorwire.com/383498/10-songs-about-racism-that-dont-suck/8
This song gives a descriptive picture of slavery and mistreatment of African Americans in the south.
Alsultany, E. (2016). Representations of Arabs, Muslims, and Iranians in an era of complex characters and storylines. Film Criticism, 40(1). Retrieved from: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=11&sid=d35b5e2c-f275-4eb7-aa10-c9d4f18505c6%40sessionmgr101
An interesting article making the point that “Hollywood films in the twenty first century only appear to challenge or complicate former stereotypes, while promoting logics that legitimize racist policies and practices.” The text might be a little challenging for students, but they should be able to grasp the point with guidance.
An interesting article making the point that “Hollywood films in the twenty first century only appear to challenge or complicate former stereotypes, while promoting logics that legitimize racist policies and practices.” The text might be a little challenging for students, but they should be able to grasp the point with guidance.