A Text Set for 'A Long Way Down' by Jason Reynolds by Allison Sasaki

The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 21:14:47 UTC

Focus: Tupac metaphorically shows how resilience and perseverance can help rise above challenging circumstances

Guding Question: How does Tupac use the metaphor of a rose growing through concrete to show how a person's choice to be resilient can help to overcome obstacles? How does this relate to Will's choices in "Long Way Down?"

Jason Reynolds on Writing 'A Long Way Down'

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 21:14:49 UTC

Focus: Jason Reynolds talks about his inspiration for writing Long Way Down, his writing process, and what he hopes readers think about while reading his novel.

Guiding Question: How do Reynold's words support the inference that peoples' choices are important? Reynolds says that he wants young readers to think about decision making. He adds that he wants older readers "to think about how difficult it is for young readers and young people to make certain decisions if there are lots of things happening that we don't know and that we don't see."

Fleming ELA 8 Learning Target I

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 21:21:49 UTC

Key Details = I can cite explicit and implicit details from a text to support a provided inference or conclusion

Essential Question:

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 21:23:12 UTC

How do your choices shape your life?

Sometimes I Cry by Tupac

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 21:41:39 UTC

Focus: Tupac writes about the struggles of a person dealing with pain and adversity

Guiding Question: How does Tupac's poem explore the emotional consequences of personal choices? How might Will relate to these words?

Jason Reynolds Reading from Long Way Down

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 22:25:26 UTC

Focus: Jason Reynolds reads the beginning of his novel.

Guiding Question: As you read, focus on how decisions and choices affect peoples' lives (their own and others)

Dear, Dreamer - artistic, engaging biography of Jason Reynolds

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 22:26:55 UTC

Focus: A beautifully produced biography of Jason Reynolds, matching the writing style of the author. This is highly engaging and inspirational

Guiding Question: What decisions did Jason Reynolds make that led him to becoming a successful writer?

The Choice

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 22:31:57 UTC

Focus: a short, animated film that shows how daily, small decisions shape our lives

Guiding Question: Think about the choices that you make everyday. List 3 changes you might make to lead to a better result a year from now.

"Experts Link Teen Brains' Immaturity, Juvenile Crime"

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 22:42:18 UTC

Focus: The development of teenagers' brains can contribute to criminal behavior.

Guiding Question: Using the information from this article, discuss how might Will's decisions be influenced by his brain's development?

How to Identify and Manage Emotions

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 22:46:53 UTC

Focus: Shows how being aware of your own emotions can help you, and how to manage your emotions.

Guiding Question: Use this after reading to at least page 315. "The Rules" that Will and the other people in his community must follow do not allow crying, but Shawn's ghost openly cries. What is the new lesson that Shawn is trying to teach Will?

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 23:01:47 UTC

Focus: A village lottery tradition shows how people can blindly follow traditions

Guiding Question: How do the choices made by the characters in "The Lottery" relate to choices made by characters in Long Way Down?

Why Gun Violence Can't Be Our New Normal - TED Talk

acs6440 — 2024-06-30 23:16:37 UTC

Focus: The president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence shares what is necessary to end gun violence

Guiding Question: Analyze the explicit and implicit arguments in this video and connect them to gun violence in Long Way Down.