Rationale+(Individual+Unit+Plan)

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// The Catcher in the Rye //// by J.D. Salinger // was one of the most controversial books during its time. Known for its outlandish profanities, //Catcher// was at one point banned from all schools, and caused many parents to shake their heads in disapproval. Now, it is known for not only changing novels, but it is considered to be a staple in literature today. I want students to first realize the constant change that language and literature go through, and society's heavy influence on a culture's language. //The Catcher the Rye// is a high school appropriate novel because it not only offers a steady plot as well as an interesting main character, but it also supplies readers with a variety of themes: **growing up, sexuality, dealing with loss, and relationships (with peers, opposite sex, adults).** With such a large array of themes, //Catcher// provides students with an opportunity to be exposed to in-depth reading and textual analysis of one of the greatest and controversial novels written. It is important for students to see how s﻿trong of an impact language can actually have, and how one author’s work can change what is considered a “school appropriate” novel forever. =====

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In order to engage students in text analysis, a great deal of lessons will focus on Holden himself. During the students' journey through //The Catcher in the Rye//, I want them to continually question not only Holden Caulfield's beliefs, but their own as well. By taking a further look into Holden as a person, students have the opportunity to analyze the causes and outside factors that influence a character’s life in a novel. Holden Caulfield is by no means a flat literary character, he is certainly round and students will learn these defined characteristics. How is Holden effected by: peers, family, society, and other factors outside of himself, and how does he respond to these factors? What is he holding on to? How is the story of Holden relevant today and how has society effected language to date? I wish to capture students with Holden's outlandish nature; should he be loved or hated by a reader? By answering these questions, students will learn more about themselves. Even though Holden is indeed fictional, why are students “compatible” with his personality and characteristics, and why are some not? =====

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Most of the reading assignments will be done at home, allowing for optimum class time to discuss the novel collaboratively as a class. This will allow students a chance have insight into their classmates’ ideas/thoughts through their journeys of reading. This is important because it opens students up to other interpretations of text and allows students to think critically to defend their stand point (ex: why a student finds Holden a loathsome character vs. why another student loves his character). To capture students’ ideas before they are influenced by others in class, there will be assigned questions for students to reflect on as they read. At the end of the novel, students will be put into groups and pick a side: is Holden truly a good hearted character, who is just troubled? Or is he a deep rooted mess up, only looking out for his own good. By the end of the unit, students will have clear site of their love or hate of one of literature’s most controversial characters: Holden Caulfield. =====