The Outsiders
This multiliteracies unit was designed to showcase different ways teachers could incorporate different types of literacies into their classroom. Below are four examples of multiliteracies: a written response, a podcast, a digital story and an infographic. Throughout the different projects, teachers had to think about what each of the different mediums offered and how to communicate the mode, media, audience, purpose and situation in the best way possible. |
PART 1: WRITTEN RESPONSE
Purpose:
The ability to see things from another’s viewpoint, perspective-taking, is essential to social competence and success in school like in literature. People do not have the exact same thoughts and feelings about everything. They have different ideas and opinions based on their experiences in life. As a result, sometimes people may be unable to relate to the interests, needs, and rights of others. However to overcome this obstacle, it may benefit a person to think about where the other person is coming from—the other person’s circumstances, background, knowledge, thinking, reasoning and feelings to understand the situation better. When one is willing and able to see things from another’s perspective, one can learn things he or she did not know before. Therefore, for this written assignment, you will practice perspective-taking skills by thinking how Ponyboy would react in the following situation.
Description: Ponyboy Curtis is overwhelmed and distraught by both Dally Winston’s and Johnny Cade’s deaths. According to Darry, he is “racked up mentally and emotionally” because he misses them so much. As a sign of their friendship, Ponyboy is asked to speak at both Dally’s and Johnny’s funeral. Write a eulogy, or remembrance letter, for either Dally’s OR Johnny’s funeral from Ponyboy’s perspective. Consider Ponyboy’s relationship he had with each of them. Try to get in touch with his feelings and think about how he would describe each of them, the memories that they shared and how he believes Dally or Johnny should be remembered.
The ability to see things from another’s viewpoint, perspective-taking, is essential to social competence and success in school like in literature. People do not have the exact same thoughts and feelings about everything. They have different ideas and opinions based on their experiences in life. As a result, sometimes people may be unable to relate to the interests, needs, and rights of others. However to overcome this obstacle, it may benefit a person to think about where the other person is coming from—the other person’s circumstances, background, knowledge, thinking, reasoning and feelings to understand the situation better. When one is willing and able to see things from another’s perspective, one can learn things he or she did not know before. Therefore, for this written assignment, you will practice perspective-taking skills by thinking how Ponyboy would react in the following situation.
Description: Ponyboy Curtis is overwhelmed and distraught by both Dally Winston’s and Johnny Cade’s deaths. According to Darry, he is “racked up mentally and emotionally” because he misses them so much. As a sign of their friendship, Ponyboy is asked to speak at both Dally’s and Johnny’s funeral. Write a eulogy, or remembrance letter, for either Dally’s OR Johnny’s funeral from Ponyboy’s perspective. Consider Ponyboy’s relationship he had with each of them. Try to get in touch with his feelings and think about how he would describe each of them, the memories that they shared and how he believes Dally or Johnny should be remembered.
Part 2: Podcast
Purpose:
For this podcast, students will consider different perspectives of characters. They must think about the character’s description, how they would react to certain things, and what they might say. Throughout this assignment, students will take this information and have to use inferential and literal reasoning to create a persuasive argument whether Johnny should go to jail.
Description:After all of the events that have recently occurred between the Socs and the Greasers like the fights and Johnny and Pony Boy running away to escape being arrested, a news broadcast company comes to town to cover the story of the church burning down and interview a variety of people. Produce a newscast in which you consider the descriptions of the mayor of Oklahoma City, the parent of a child Johnny saved in the fire, Johnny’s parents, Dally and Johnny. Then based on these descriptions, infer and use textual evidence to think about how each character would or would not argue that Johnny should go to jail after everything he has done. Pick one side and present a clear and concise argument to the reporter for each character.
For this podcast, students will consider different perspectives of characters. They must think about the character’s description, how they would react to certain things, and what they might say. Throughout this assignment, students will take this information and have to use inferential and literal reasoning to create a persuasive argument whether Johnny should go to jail.
Description:After all of the events that have recently occurred between the Socs and the Greasers like the fights and Johnny and Pony Boy running away to escape being arrested, a news broadcast company comes to town to cover the story of the church burning down and interview a variety of people. Produce a newscast in which you consider the descriptions of the mayor of Oklahoma City, the parent of a child Johnny saved in the fire, Johnny’s parents, Dally and Johnny. Then based on these descriptions, infer and use textual evidence to think about how each character would or would not argue that Johnny should go to jail after everything he has done. Pick one side and present a clear and concise argument to the reporter for each character.
Part 3: Digital Storytelling
Purpose:
Students will create a digital story by using one of the themes from the novel and connecting it to their own lives. Before they start making the digital story, they must analyze the theme, think of how it plays out in life in general, and come up with a situation in which they have experienced the theme. Then students will tell their personal narrative about that situation and gather facts or statistics to help support their case to enhance their story.
Description: As the title suggests, The Outsiders is a theme in itself. Many people have felt like an outsider at some point in their life. Therefore, create a digital story telling your personal experience of feeling like an outsider and research facts and statistics to enhance/support your narrative.
Students will create a digital story by using one of the themes from the novel and connecting it to their own lives. Before they start making the digital story, they must analyze the theme, think of how it plays out in life in general, and come up with a situation in which they have experienced the theme. Then students will tell their personal narrative about that situation and gather facts or statistics to help support their case to enhance their story.
Description: As the title suggests, The Outsiders is a theme in itself. Many people have felt like an outsider at some point in their life. Therefore, create a digital story telling your personal experience of feeling like an outsider and research facts and statistics to enhance/support your narrative.
Part 4: Infographic
Purpose:
Research is truly a life-long skill and it is important to that students learn, explore and apply this skill multiple times through various assignments. Specifically, in this assignment, students will use this skill to gather information, facts, images, charts and statistics on a topic from the novel and present their findings in a simple and clear way.
Description: Create an infographic that uses research to enhance understanding of an important issue raised in the book.
Research is truly a life-long skill and it is important to that students learn, explore and apply this skill multiple times through various assignments. Specifically, in this assignment, students will use this skill to gather information, facts, images, charts and statistics on a topic from the novel and present their findings in a simple and clear way.
Description: Create an infographic that uses research to enhance understanding of an important issue raised in the book.