Connecting Themes of 'The Outsiders' to Modern Issues

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Connecting Themes of 'The Outsiders' to Modern Issues

Grade 7English10 days

In this project, 7th-grade students explore the themes of 'The Outsiders' by S.E. Hinton in connection with contemporary social divisions, aiming to raise awareness and propose solutions through a multimedia project. The students identify and analyze themes from the book, conduct research on modern issues that parallel those themes, and collaboratively develop multimedia presentations or campaigns using digital tools. Activities include engaging entry events like a VR time travel simulation to the 1960s, and portfolio tasks that build skills in theme exploration, research, collaborative problem-solving, and multimedia creation. A rubric assesses students' analysis, research, collaboration, and presentation skills, while reflection prompts deepen their understanding of social divisions and media's role today.

The OutsidersSocial DivisionsMultimedia ProjectTheme AnalysisCreative CollaborationMedia LiteracyProblem-Solving

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a multimedia project that draws parallels between the themes of 'The Outsiders' and present-day social divisions, to promote awareness and propose solutions?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What are the major themes present in The Outsiders, and how do they relate to social divisions?
How can we connect the conflicts between the Greasers and the Socs to those in our current society?
What role does media play in shaping and reflecting social divisions?
How can we use multimedia tools to effectively communicate our ideas and proposals on social issues?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Identify and analyze major themes in The Outsiders to understand their relevance to modern-day social issues.
Conduct research on a modern social issue that parallels the conflicts depicted in The Outsiders.
Develop a multimedia presentation or campaign that effectively communicates connections between the novel's themes and current social divisions.
Demonstrate proficiency in media literacy by using appropriate tools and techniques to create a presentation.
Collaborate with peers to brainstorm and execute a creative project that addresses social division awareness and solutions.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.2

Primary

Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.Reason: The project requires students to identify and understand themes from 'The Outsiders' and compare them to modern issues, which directly aligns with analyzing and summarizing texts.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2

Primary

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.Reason: Students will research current social issues and write about them, connecting themes from the book to present-day scenarios.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1

Primary

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.Reason: The project involves collaboration and discussion to develop and present a multimedia project.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.5

Primary

Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points.Reason: The project focuses on creating a multimedia presentation to communicate ideas, which aligns with this standard.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mysterious Letter from a Greaser

Begin with students receiving a mysterious letter purportedly from a member of the Greasers, describing an issue they are experiencing that's eerily similar to a modern scenario. Students will have to discern fact from fiction and investigate the modern issue presented, linking it to themes from the book.

Social Media Hashtag Challenge

Launch a social media-inspired campaign where students create hashtags and short video pitches addressing modern social divisions akin to those in The Outsiders. This engaging activity encourages them to connect the novel’s themes with today’s digital communication world and advocate for change.

Virtual Reality Time Travel

Invite students to step inside a VR simulation that takes them back to the 1960s world of The Outsiders. They can explore the settings and characters firsthand and identify parallels to social divisions today, fostering an engaging platform for analysis and discussion.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Theme Explorer: Unraveling The Outsiders

Students will delve into 'The Outsiders', identifying major themes such as social division, friendship, and identity. They will explore how these themes develop throughout the text and summarize their findings.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Read assigned chapters of 'The Outsiders' and highlight key instances that showcase themes like social division and friendship.

2. Use a graphic organizer to map out the themes and track their development over the course of the book.

3. Write a summary paragraph for each identified theme, explaining its significance in the novel.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA graphic organizer and a written summary of the major themes in 'The Outsiders'.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.2 by determining themes and analyzing their development in the text.

Activity 2

Modern Context Detective

In this activity, students research current social issues like cliques, bullying, and poverty, comparing these to the fictional conflicts between the Greasers and Socs.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select a modern social issue that correlates with the themes found in 'The Outsiders'.

2. Conduct research using at least two credible sources to gather information about the selected issue.

3. Organize the information into a report that details the issue and its connections to 'The Outsiders' themes.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA research report connecting current social issues to themes from 'The Outsiders'.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2 by requiring students to write informative texts analyzing modern issues in relation to the novel.

Activity 3

Collaborative Solution Challenge

Students will work in groups to discuss their findings from previous activities and brainstorm solutions or awareness campaigns for their chosen modern issue.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Form groups based on the social issue interest. Share individual research reports within groups.

2. Engage in a structured discussion to brainstorm potential solutions or awareness campaigns related to their issue.

3. Use consensus-building to decide on the best solution or campaign proposal.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collaborative plan for a solution or awareness campaign addressing a modern social issue.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMatches CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1 through collaborative discussions and consensus-building to develop ideas.

Activity 4

Multimedia Masterpiece

In this final activity, students will create a multimedia presentation or campaign proposal to communicate their recognized connections and solutions using digital tools and techniques.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Draft a storyboard outlining how the presentation or campaign will flow, incorporating key themes and solutions.

2. Choose appropriate multimedia components, such as videos, audio, and graphics, to clarify and emphasize points.

3. Create the presentation using digital tools like PowerPoint, Canva, or video editing software.

4. Present the multimedia masterpiece to peers or a broader audience, explaining their findings and proposals.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA complete multimedia presentation or campaign proposal that connects 'The Outsiders' themes to modern social issues and proposes solutions.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.5 by including multimedia elements to clarify claims and highlight important aspects.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Outsiders Multimedia Project Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Theme Analysis and Connection

Assesses students' understanding of themes in 'The Outsiders' and their ability to connect them to modern social issues.

Criterion 1

Identification of Themes

Ability to identify key themes from 'The Outsiders' and understand their significance.

Exemplary

4 Points

Accurately identifies numerous themes with exceptional insight into their significance and development.

Proficient

3 Points

Identifies key themes with a clear understanding of their significance and development.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies some themes with partial understanding of their significance.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify themes or to understand their significance.

Criterion 2

Connection to Modern Issues

Skill in connecting themes from 'The Outsiders' to current social divisions.

Exemplary

4 Points

Draws sophisticated parallels between multiple themes and current social issues, proposing insightful connections.

Proficient

3 Points

Makes clear connections between themes and modern issues, demonstrating understanding of parallels.

Developing

2 Points

Makes some connections between themes and modern issues, but understanding may be superficial.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to make connections between themes and modern issues.

Category 2

Research and Informative Writing

Evaluates the effectiveness of researching modern social issues and writing informative summaries connected to 'The Outsiders'.

Criterion 1

Quality of Research

Effectiveness in selecting credible sources and gathering information on modern issues.

Exemplary

4 Points

Uses a wide range of credible sources expertly to gather rich, detailed information.

Proficient

3 Points

Uses credible sources to gather adequate information.

Developing

2 Points

Uses limited sources with varying credibility, resulting in some relevant information.

Beginning

1 Points

Uses few or non-credible sources, gathering insufficient information.

Criterion 2

Informative Writing

Skill in organizing and writing informative texts that connect modern issues to novel themes.

Exemplary

4 Points

Crafts insightful, well-organized, and analytical summaries that effectively connect modern issues with novel themes.

Proficient

3 Points

Writes clear and organized summaries that connect modern issues with novel themes efficiently.

Developing

2 Points

Shows some attempt at organizing summaries, with partial connections to novel themes.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to write coherent summaries or make meaningful connections.

Category 3

Collaboration and Problem-Solving

Assesses students' abilities to work collaboratively and engage in problem-solving to develop solutions to social issues.

Criterion 1

Collaborative Engagement

Engagement in collaborative discussions and activities.

Exemplary

4 Points

Leads and actively engages in collaborative discussions, contributing insightful ideas and valuing others’ views.

Proficient

3 Points

Actively engages in collaborative discussions, contributing useful ideas and considering others’ views.

Developing

2 Points

Participates in collaborative discussions but contributes minimally.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to engage in collaborative discussions, needing support from peers.

Criterion 2

Creative Problem-Solving

Effectiveness in developing innovative solutions or campaigns for modern social issues.

Exemplary

4 Points

Proposes creative, feasible solutions exceeding expectations, backed by thoughtful reasoning.

Proficient

3 Points

Proposes feasible and logical solutions to the identified issues.

Developing

2 Points

Proposes basic solutions with partial feasibility.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to propose feasible solutions to the issues.

Category 4

Multimedia Presentation

Evaluates the effectiveness and creativity of the multimedia presentation in communicating theme connections and solutions.

Criterion 1

Multimedia Integration

Integration of multimedia elements to clarify and enhance the presentation of ideas.

Exemplary

4 Points

Seamlessly integrates diverse multimedia elements that significantly enhance clarity and engagement.

Proficient

3 Points

Effectively integrates multimedia elements that enhance clarity and engagement.

Developing

2 Points

Integrates some multimedia elements, but their effectiveness is inconsistent.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to integrate multimedia elements effectively.

Criterion 2

Presentation Clarity and Impact

Clarity, organization, and impact of the presentation in communicating ideas and solutions.

Exemplary

4 Points

Delivers a compelling and coherent presentation with clear, impactful communication of ideas.

Proficient

3 Points

Delivers a clear and organized presentation with effective communication of ideas.

Developing

2 Points

Delivers a presentation with some clarity but lacks coherence.

Beginning

1 Points

Delivers an unclear presentation lacking coherence and impact.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of social divisions has changed after completing this project on 'The Outsiders' and its themes.

Text

Required

Question 2

How effective do you feel your multimedia presentation was in conveying connections between 'The Outsiders' and modern social divisions?

Scale

Required

Question 3

What challenges did you encounter while collaborating with peers to create the multimedia project, and how did you overcome them?

Text

Required

Question 4

Which multimedia tool did you find most helpful when creating your presentation, and why?

Multiple choice

Optional

Options

PowerPoint

Canva

Video Editing Software

Audio Editing Software

Graphics Design Tool

Question 5

To what extent do you think media plays a role in shaping and reflecting social divisions today as compared to the era of 'The Outsiders'?

Scale

Required