Fleeing Conflict: Refugee & The Unwanted

Lesson 13
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ELA

Unit 5

6th Grade

Lesson 13 of 27

Objective


Explain how Gratz makes connections between the stories of the three young refugees.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Refugee by Alan Gratz  pp. 171 – 202

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How are all three protagonists' stories today connected by the topic of generous strangers? Identify one scene in each character’s story and explain how it explores this topic. What message is Gratz trying to communicate by connecting their stories around this experience?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What important word connects Josef’s story to Isabel’s story in today’s reading? Reread pages 188 and 202 and provide evidence to support your answer.

  • How does the concept of “invisibility” connect Josef and Mahmoud’s stories today? Reread pages 192-197 to support your answer.

  • How are Josef’s and Isabel’s stories connected by the experience of having an ill parent? Provide specific evidence from pages 171-178 and 183-186 and describe the similarities between their experiences.

Vocabulary


Text-based

weary

adj.

very tired, often as a result of working hard

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Book: Refugee by Alan Gratz  pp. 203 – 235

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What happens to Iván when he is in the water?

  • What do the tourists do when they see refugees on the ferry praying? Why?

  • Why are the passengers on board the St. Louis so upset?

  • Why does Josef tear his clothing? What emotions is he experiencing?

  • What difficult decision do the passengers on Isabel’s boat have to make? How does Isabel feel about this?

  • What does the driver do to Mahmoud’s family?

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.6.5 — Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.

Supporting Standards

L.6.6
RL.6.1
RL.6.2
RL.6.4
RL.6.10
SL.6.1
W.6.1
W.6.1.a
W.6.1.b
W.6.4
W.6.9
W.6.9.a
W.6.10

Next

Explain how characters in Refugee respond to and change as a result of specific plot events and identify how their responses reveal their perspective.

Lesson 14
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