8th Grade Unit 2:

Mindful Things

& Curious Incident (a novel study)

1. What is a mental disorder? 2. What difficulties can someone face with a mental disorder? 3. Why can people hold different perspectives of a mental disorder? 4. Human frailty is part of the human psyche and we all make mistakes—

agree or disagree?

First and Last Name___________________________ G8

Pre-test: Analysis of Text about Disabilities Directions Part 1: Please read the excerpt below from Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Then, answer the questions below.

1. Make an inference about how the character must feel or infer a character trait. Explain your reasoning with evidence from the text.

2. What could be a possible theme (aka moral of the story) of this story? Explain your reasoning below, using evidence from the text above.

3. Based on this short excerpt or based on prior knowledge, what are some characteristics of Aspergers?

4. In 3-5 sentences, summarize what this passage is about.

Important characters : List characters you meet throughout the text and write a brief description.

Important characters : List characters you meet throughout the text and write a brief description.

First and Last Name____________________________ G8

Cerebral Palsy Information

Directions Part 1: 1) Please watch this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn_9f5x0f1Q&safe=active 2) Read the given chapter from The Reason I Jump, written by a teenage boy with Autism 3) List all the social and emotional struggles of someone living with Asperger’s on the backside Social Struggles with Asperger’s Emotional Struggles with Asperger’s Directions Part 2:

1) Pick up a note taking sheet, and take notes on the research with your group 2) Show Mrs. G your notes before moving on to the summary portion of the assignment

First and Last Name __________________________ G8

Research Notes on Asperger’s Book Title: Author: Copyright Date: Publisher: Publishing City:

**Take notes, using the following chart. Use bullet points to jot down shot, quick notes.

Subheadings/ Key points/ Vocabulary Details

First and Last Name ____________________________ G8

Information Writing Outline

Directions: Use the box format to organize your informational summary before typing it. Claim: Introduce the topic Reasoning: Why is this important?

Evidence: Give facts from your research, in your own words. Use a transition word to start your sentence. Cite your sourceà ( )

Evidence: Give facts from your research, in your own words. Use a transition word to start your sentence. Cite your sourceà ( )

Conclusion: Give a concluding sentence to wrap up the paragraph. Use a transition word to start your sentence. Cite your sourceà ( )

First and Last Name____________________________ G8

Different People, Different Characteristics

Directions: Select 4 characters, and write down their viewpoint of the main character. Be sure to support your answer with evidence from the text.

Why do people have a different opinion or viewpoint about the main character? What would cause them to think this? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Christopher

Character 1 ____________

Character 2 ____________

Character 3 ____________

Character 4 ____________

First and Last Name ________________________________ G8

Curious Incident Character Recipe

Step 1: If Christopher or Father were a recipe, what would his/her ingredients be? For instance, a character could be 3 parts evil and 1 part manipulative. For this recipe, include a list of 4-5 ingredients and a brief description of how to assemble. For example, mix all evils together, and add manipulative little by little, making sure to stir thoroughly. Please use sophisticated, 8th grade vocabulary! Step 2: Then create a graphic (ex—a pie chart, graph, etc.) to go along with the recipe. Step 3: Write a brief paragraph explaining your reasoning behind the recipe. Use textual evidence to justify your recipe. Step 4: Be prepared to present your work! First and Last Name ________________________________ G8

Othello Character Recipe

Step 1: If Christopher or Father were a recipe, what would his/her ingredients be? For instance, a character could be 3 parts evil and 1 part manipulative. For this recipe, include a list of 4-5 ingredients and a brief description of how to assemble. For example, mix all evils together, and add manipulative little by little, making sure to stir thoroughly. Please use sophisticated, 8th grade vocabulary! Step 2: Then create a graphic (ex—a pie chart, graph, etc.) to go along with the recipe. Step 3: Write a brief paragraph explaining your reasoning behind the recipe. Use textual evidence to justify your recipe. Step 4: Be prepared to present your work!

First and Last Name ___________________________ G8

Say What? Directions: Look at the reviews from Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

I really do want to say, I don't understand the reviews that degrade the book because it doesn't accurately describe Asperger's syndrome, which is crazy because that is not the point of this book. ~Good Reads

This is a mystery and I love mysteries. ~ Good Reads

"This will not be a funny book," says Christopher. "I cannot tell jokes because I do not understand them." ~Protagonist in the novel

It is a funny book, as well as a sad one. ~The Guardian

The Curious Incident is published simultaneously for adults and older children; despite its clarity and simplicity, it operates on several levels. ~The Guardian

The book normalizes abuse, presents the autistic protagonist as responsible for it, and suggests that he is not harmed by much of it. ~Disability in Kid Lit

"Normalcy, Knowledge, and Nature are themes in Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” ~Disability Studies Quarterly

First Name and Last Name _____________________________ G8

Socratic Seminar~ Student Centered Discussion Rules J : You should contribute at least 2 times, but please do not interrupt someone; you do not have to raise your hand. Ways to contribute:

1) Ask a question 2) Answer a question 3) Agree or disagree with a peer

**Provide textual evidence or a reasoning when speaking. **Please remember, this is your conversation; Mrs. G is just an observer! Seminar Discussion: Do you sympathize with Christopher’s mother or father? Why or why not? How did I contribute? Write down what you said (doesn’t have to be word-for-word)… What is an interesting point a peer made? What did I learn? During the next seminar, I hope to…. What did you like or dislike about this seminar? Please explain why.

Answer the question in paragraph form on the backsideà

First and Last Name _________________________ G8

Asperger’s and Autism Poster Examples

Directions: Look at the posters below and discuss what is visually appealing and informative about them; then discuss how it connects to Christopher in Curious Incident. Possible Device What is visually

appealing? What is informative?

How does this connect to Christopher? Use evidence with page numbers to support your answer!

“It is often observed that people with Asperger syndrome are inclined to be very honest and sincere.”

“People with Asperger syndrome often display remarkable dedication and commitment to the task at hand.”

“This is the only way to autism.”

“People with Asperger syndrome can often be concerned about their relationships with others.”

First and Last Name ______________________________ G8

Outline/Planning for Poster Directions: You must have this outline complete and approved by Mrs. G before creating your poster. Which audience are you targeting for your poster? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How will your poster connect with Curious Incident? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Use the space below to sketch your poster. Meaning:

• What will the poster look like? • What text will you put on your poster? • What images are you going to use? • Basically—what is the layout of your poster?

First and Last Name ________________________ G8

Analysis Outline

Directions: A analysis makes a claim about a piece of literature and examines/comments on the literature using textual evidence. Introduction: Introduce the topic with the title and name of the poem Thesis Statement: What is your claim? What do you want to prove in your commentary? Body: Use textual evidence to support your reasoning. Be sure to explain each piece of evidence, tying it back to the thesis statement. Conclusion: Wrap up your commentary, but referring back to the introduction and thesis. Summarize your main ideas from the body. ***No set amount of paragraphs, but should have a new paragraph for each new idea!

First and Last Name _____________________________ G8 Author of the essay______________________________

Analysis Essay Peer Edit Day

Directions: Please read over a peer’s essay. Answer the following questions and offer feedback. Mrs. G will collect this J.

1. What is the essay titled? Do you have a suggestion for a more creative title?

2. Does the author include the title of the novel and the author’s name in the introduction? If not, please remind the author to include this.

3. What is the author’s claim/thesis statement? What is the reasoning statement?

Claimà

Reasoningà

4. What evidence does the author provide to support the claim? Just write down the page numbers; if there are no page numbers, then you need to remind the author to include this.

5. Does the author have a concluding paragraph or statement? If not, please remind the author to include this.

6. Read through the entire essay ONE more time. CIRCLE, HIGHLIGHT, or MARK IN RED (do not correct) parts that are spelled incorrectly or are grammatically incorrect.

7. What is one part you particularly liked? Why?

8. What is one area this peer can improve upon? How or why?

Student First and Last Name _____________________________ Grade 8

Analysis Essay Parent Edit

Parent Name: ________________________________ // Parent Signature: _______________________________

1. On a scale of 1-5 (5 being the highest rating), how well is the claim supported with textual evidence? Are you fully convinced by your child’s argument?

2. What are 1-2 areas in the essay that need improvement? Be specific so students can fix this before submitting the final piece!

3. What did you enjoy the most about this essay? Why?

Dear Parents, We have been talking about social and emotional struggles of having a disability for the past few weeks. We have been working hard to understand and empathize for those living with Asperger’s. We would like to share our analysis essay with you before the final product is submitted. Please read our essay and complete the following:

1) Read the essay first without making any comments 2) Read it a second time to offer feedback in regards to grammar, spelling,

punctuation, and ideas 3) Answer the questions below

We appreciate your help and feedback! Thank you J. ~Mrs. Goffi and Students

First Name and Last Name _____________________________ G8

Essay Self-Reflection

Directions: Please answer the questions below USING COMPLETE SENTENCES! You will need to look at your paper for pieces of evidence.

1. In writing an analysis essay, what did you learn about the structure, organization, and/or language that you didn’t know before? Give one specific piece of evidence.

2. What new facts or information did you learn about Asperger’s and people with disabilities?

3. Why is it important to read literature about disabilities or people that have unique qualities?

4. What is one area you are particularly proud of in your essay? Give one specific piece of evidence to support your reasoning.

5. What steps did you take to meet your writing goal? Give one specific piece of evidence.

6. What did you enjoy about this unit or not enjoy? Please be honest; you won’t hurt Mrs. G’s feelings! **Using a post-it, write 1 sentence explaining what you learned about ONE of the IB themes. Put your name on it and then place it on the red reflection board in the classroom.

Important characters : List characters you meet throughout the text and write a brief description.

Important characters : List characters you meet throughout the text and write a brief description.

First Name and Last Name _____________________________ G8 Partner’s First and Last Name ______________________

Fishbowl~ Student Centered Discussion Rules J : You should contribute at least 2 times, but please do not interrupt someone; you do not have to raise your hand. Ways to contribute:

1) Ask a question 2) Answer a question 3) Agree or disagree with a peer

**Provide textual evidence or a reasoning when speaking. **Please remember, this is your conversation; Mrs. G is just an observer! Fishbowl Discussion: Human frailty is part of the human psyche and we all make mistakes—agree or disagree? How would the main characters of Curious Incident or Of Mice and Men respond? How did my partner contribute? Write down what he/she said (doesn’t have to be word-for-word)… When was my partner distracted, interrupted someone, had a side conversation, etc.? If it doesn’t apply, then just put an “X” in here. What did I learn? During the next seminar, I hope to…. What did you like or dislike about this seminar? Please explain why.

First and Last Name____________________________ G8

Different People, Different Characteristics

Directions: Select 4 characters, and write down their viewpoint of the main character. Be sure to support your answer with evidence from the text.

How is the treatment of the main character in Of Mice and Men similar or different to Christopher’s treatment in Curious Incident? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Main Character _______________

Character 1 ____________

Character 2 ____________

Character 3 ____________

Character 4 ____________