English 9 - Mr. Ubriaco

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture.
    Just get people to stop reading them.
~ Ray Bradbury test

Introduction

In this unit we will be studying Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. This moving novel takes place in the deep south of the United States during the 1930's. In addition to reading the novel, we will be researching the social context of the book, so that we have a better understanding of how the setting influences the characters' motivations, conflicts, and ultimately, the theme.

The Task

In groups of four, you are going to be researching background information associated with To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Each of you will be responsible for learning and teaching the other members in your group one of the four categories. At the end, there will be an exam to assess what you have learned.

Resources

Category A

The Process

The following instructions will make completion of your task easy!

1. Form a group of four people who will research and prepare for an exam on the background information of To Kill a Mockingbird.

2. Each group member will be assigned responsibility for one of the four categories.

3. Using the resources provided above, you will research your assigned topic and learn as much as possible.

4. Using the provided note sheets, take notes on the assigned categories. Be sure to take as many notes as possible and to answer the 5 W's (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How).

5. When the time allotted for research is over, you will meet with students who researched the same category as yourself. You will share what you have learned and continue to take notes. This is your opportunity to become an expert on your category.

6. You will then meet back with your original group (the one you chose). Each of you will teach/share what you have learned about your particular category with the rest of your group.

7.  As a group, you will prepare for an exam on the background information for To Kill a Mockingbird.

Evaluation

You will take an exam that measures your understanding of all four categories of the background information of To Kill a Mockingbird. Your group will have the following two options when taking the exam:

1. Taking the exam as a group without notes.

2. Taking the exam individually with notes.