Unit+Plan+Rationale_abrahamsen


 * Rationale**

**//“//**//Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves."// //-Henry David Thoreau // Ninth graders are amongst vast changes in their lives from leaving middle school to entering high school. This is a vital period of growth and decision making. It is a time when adolescents define who they are and what they will become. Knowing the fact that these young adults are exposed to different groups of students and judgment it is indeed a time of alienation. Struggling to find their identity in the midst of their peers, parents, society, and especially themselves is a challenge shared by this age group. Being able to incorporate themes of alienation in a literature class will establish an association between a text and the student. With that being said, providing this relatable theme will better aid students through their journey of self-identification. It will encourage them when they are feeling the effects of self-doubt and come to realization that they are not alone. Two novels that I believe will encourage and strengthen student’s transition include Laurie Halse Anderson’s, //Speak//, and S.E. Hinton’s, //The Outsiders//. Melinda, the main character of //Speak//, plays the role of a high school freshman going through a period of alienation. Though many students won’t experience the extremity of her situation, they will be able to sympathize and understand the feeling of being ostracized. This novel will allow for students to find an outlet and understand there are others out there who feel the same way. For those who can’t empathize with Melinda’s situation, this novel will bring a reality to students about their peers and hopefully learn to accept people for who they are. Hinton’s, //The Outsiders//, is an important novel to include when teaching the theme of alienation because it demonstrates the need to fit in or belong somewhere. All students desire the need to find their niche in life and will be able to relate to the different groups presented in this novel by reflecting on the clans they are surrounded by. Through reading //The Outsiders//, students will come to learn that they are all more alike than different as does the protagonist, Ponyboy. This novel will influence students to put their differences aside, at least momentarily, and realize they are all in this together. In actuality, I believe one of the most important factors in teaching literature is for the reading to be relatable to young adults. It is important for students to be engaged in order to learn and be influenced. Teaching the novels, //Speak// and //The Outsiders//, will help guide students through an extremely important transition in their lives because they will be able to connect with the characters and their trials and tribulations. The novels will influence student’s decision making and judgments of others. Ultimately, through teaching this unit, students will come to realize an important lesson in life: there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel.