More often than not, students can experience an entire high school career without reading an entire book. Similarly, even those that read, often never see themselves reflected in the pages in front of them. The Color Purple is one of the only texts that my students not only read, but become obsessed with, fascinated by the realistic characters and the complex plot lines. Furthermore, students finally see their own identities validated as literature; they see that overcoming pain, coping with trauma, enduring through relationships, as well as navigating racial and gender stereotypes qualify as academic content that deserves to be discussed.
During this unit, my students will annotate the text (with sticky notes so we can reuse them each year), analyze the plot and characterization, as well as discuss the thematic issues that are prevalent throughout the story. This unit not only prepares students for their upcoming AP English classes, but it also prepares them for their high stakes test this year: PSAT. However, perhaps even more important than the skills that students will hone during this unit, students learn empathy. They learn that as humans, we do not know everyone else's stories, therefore we must approach each other with patience, thoughtfulness, and compassion. The Color Purple is a unique text that explores the difficulties related to identity, gender, race, sexuality, power, beauty, and so many other challenges that my students are simultaneously navigating in their own lives. Thus, ultimately this text allows students to both become better students and better people.
About my class
More often than not, students can experience an entire high school career without reading an entire book. Similarly, even those that read, often never see themselves reflected in the pages in front of them. The Color Purple is one of the only texts that my students not only read, but become obsessed with, fascinated by the realistic characters and the complex plot lines. Furthermore, students finally see their own identities validated as literature; they see that overcoming pain, coping with trauma, enduring through relationships, as well as navigating racial and gender stereotypes qualify as academic content that deserves to be discussed.
During this unit, my students will annotate the text (with sticky notes so we can reuse them each year), analyze the plot and characterization, as well as discuss the thematic issues that are prevalent throughout the story. This unit not only prepares students for their upcoming AP English classes, but it also prepares them for their high stakes test this year: PSAT. However, perhaps even more important than the skills that students will hone during this unit, students learn empathy. They learn that as humans, we do not know everyone else's stories, therefore we must approach each other with patience, thoughtfulness, and compassion. The Color Purple is a unique text that explores the difficulties related to identity, gender, race, sexuality, power, beauty, and so many other challenges that my students are simultaneously navigating in their own lives. Thus, ultimately this text allows students to both become better students and better people.
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