Matt+Sellek's+Thematic+Unit+Wiki


 * Possible Content Focus**

The way Franklinton High School's English classes work is that it is split between a composition class and a literature class each semester. I'm observing the composition class, but will be teaching next semester in the literature class. Because of this, I am basing my content focuses on different books that my participating teacher said I could use.


 * //Night// by Elie Wiesel. Possible themes would include the idea of evil and suffering in the world, as well as the danger of staying silent when evil is present. Is staying silent the same as perpetuating the evil itself? Poetry and historical facts from the Holocaust will be presented, and we will discuss why we should still be talking about it now.
 * Selections from //Iliad// by Homer. Possible themes would be what makes a society's hero, as well as self-sacrifice and Greek mythology. How has our fictional heroes changed, and why has that happened? Look at things as recent as the development of the superhero from the action hero of the 80s.
 * //Sold// by Patricia McCormick. I'm reading this now for my YAL class. Speak about the effects of poverty, and the ignorance many people have about issues in other countries. At what level should we be involved in issues like this? Also look at the question of using Young Adult Literature in the classroom.