The B Project

1. The B Project Acceptance

2. The Texts • The Outsiders- S.E. Hinton (1967) ISBN: 978-0140385724 • Animal Farm- George Orwell (1945) ISBN: 0451526341 • Scorpions- Walter Dean Myers (1988) ISBN: 9780064470667 • Avalon High: Coronation vol. 1 The Merlin Prophecy- Meg Cabot (2007) ISBN: 9780064470667 • Still I Rise: A Carton History of African Americans- Roland Owen Laird Jr., with Taneshia Nash Laird (1997) ISBN: 978-0393317510

3. Theme: Acceptance • The theme I want to focus on in this presentation is Acceptance. • The Golden Rule growing up was to treat others the way you want to be treated. • It is important that we teach our adolescents about acceptance. We live in a society in which people still make reservations about people without knowing an individual’s character. • These YA Texts deal with acceptance in various forms such as race, socioeconomics, and even species. Some even touch on acceptance within one’s own family.

4. The Outsiders • Takes place in the American Southwest in the year 1965. • The central plot deals with the conflict between the “Greasers” and the “Socs” or Socials. • The novel focuses on the nature of forming factions and class divisions in the high school setting. • The Greasers are the blue collar working/poor class, while the Socs are the privileged, wealthy high class. • Protagonist named Pony lives only with his two older brother Soda (17) and Darry (20) since their parents died. • The Socs/Greaser conflict turns tragically violent. • Is this the catalyst for change or does this only spur more violence?

5. Connection to Theme • Pony is not only an outsider in society, but he feels like an outcast amongst his brothers and fellow greasers. • The Greasers feel that they are frowned upon by society based on where they come from. They feel the Socs get all the breaks in life. • The brothers are able to see past their differences and realize they are all they have in this world.

6. Activity:Cover to Cover comparing Novels to Film • Students will identify key literary component (plot, characters, setting, etc.) in both the book and film Adaptation. • They will then compare and contrast the novel and the film adaptation. • Think of reasons why the filmmakers decided to alter certain points but also the importance of keeping some things the same. • Design a DVD Cover and abstract reflecting their response to the film adaptation.

7. Animal Farm • This is a fable with strong political undertones that takes place on a farm in England. • The animals feel they are being neglected and maltreated by the farm owner. • Initially their self governed farm is an animal utopia. • The animals begin to segregate amongst themselves. • The oppression comes full circle. The pigs metaphorically transform into the oppressors they once opposed.

8. Connection to Theme • The animals no longer want to be used by humans for labor. • The struggle for species acceptance is the focus. When the animals self-govern the struggle for acceptance becomes political. • The pigs who have superior intelligence manipulate the other animals into doing all the work and create a slave class. • The animals are ignorant to the type of oppressive society that they have created. • Subsequently the pigs go through a transformation and turn into humans and the oppression comes full circle.

9. Activity: Coexistence as an alternative • Complete a chart comparing the animals quality of life before and after Napoleon took over. • In journals make predictions on what life would be like if Mr. Jones was never run off the farm. • Propose a compromise that would allow Humans/animals to coexist peacefully.

10. This young adult novel takes place in Harlem surrounding the life of 12 year old Jamal. • Jamal’s 17 year old brother Randy is in jail. Jamal wants to get enough money for Randy’s appeal. • Jamal lives with his mother and his younger sister Sassy. Jamal’s father is an alcoholic and visits the family occasionally. Jamal feels he now has to be the man of the house. • Randy’s friend Mack suggests that Jamal take over the “Scorpions” a gang that sells drugs. • Jamal is always being messed with either by the school bully Dwayne, Mr. Davidson the principal, and other members of the Scorpions. • When Jamal acquires a gun he gets into more trouble than he could ever anticipate for. Scorpions

11. Jamal wants to be accepted and is willing to go to great lengths for that respect. He wants to make his brother proud and Jamal believes that if he can get his brother out of jail he will be accepted as a man. Jamal has seen his mother suffer long enough and wants to make her proud by helping her out financially. Jamal is the target of one particular bully named Dwayne. Mr. Davidson, believes that Jamal is a nuisance but never cares to learn the causes of his troubles. Tito, Jamal’s best friend is the only character in the story who accepts him for who he is. Connection to Theme

12. Pre-reading: Create T-Charts divided in 3 categories, “The Bully,” “The Bullied,” and “Bystander”. (Looks like, sounds like) During Reading: Add to T-Charts characters that fall into each of these categories. Write in journals any personal experiences with bullying and identify different ways to confront and prevent bullying. Activity: confronting bullying

13. Avalon High: Merlin Prophecy This is a fantasy graphic novel that takes place in a present day high school. Ellie is adjusting well to her new high school. She is an Honor student, cheerleader, and is dating the high school QB, Will who is the alleged reincarnation of King Arthur. Will does not want to believe that he is the reincarnation of King Arthur. He does not realize that this goes against the Merlin Prophecy and can stop an age of enlightenment from occurring.

14. Connection to Theme Ellie is the target of unwanted jealousy because she is the new girl but has amassed a lot of popularity so soon. Ellie’s boyfriend Will is big man on campus but is dealing with family issues and has been living with Ellie’s family. Will is allegedly the reincarnation of King Arthur however he does not want to accept his destiny.

15. Avalon High Activity • Uncover all the running conflicts and plots in this graphic novel using a conflict T-Chart. • Make predictions on how the plot will continue in the second volume. • Write in journals about your experiences with starting a new school. Focus on whether or not you had difficulties fitting in and adapting to the environment. • Have students partner up and role play a dialogue between Will and his father and find a resolution to their conflict.

16. This is a non fiction historical account of the plight of African Americans in a graphic novel form. • It depicts the lives of blacks. And the history and horrors of racial prejudices since the discovery of America. • The book highlights many influential African Americans and their accomplishments throughout history that are rarely ever taught in the classroom. • It chronicles events dating back from 1618 and the days of indentured servitude all the way up to the early 1990’s and the Million Man March Still I Rise

17. This non fictitious account of the history of African Americans is the quintessential struggle for acceptance in our country. • This graphic novel is so relevant because still to this day in a nation as diverse as the U.S there we still yearn for racial acceptance. • It paints a picture as to how far we have come on the road to racial equality and also how much more needs to be done. Connection to Theme

18. Give a short lesson on how to read graphic novels. Explain the components such as gutters, balloons, panels, etc. • Have students do journal entries explaining the effect of reading non fiction is this format. Is it more enjoyable, does it build a better understanding on the subject matter? • Cartoon assignment: Students will make their own cartoons based on real life experiences in which they felt they were not treated equally. Activity: Exploring Nonfiction with Graphic Novels