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Lesson 6

We will finish the unit by engaging in a whole-class discussion about The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. We also will discuss Culminating Task topics that relate to the unit and identify possible pathways to explore for the Application Unit.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I use language and strategies to accomplish my intended purpose in communicating?

  • Can I think about and evaluate personal and group development?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot, Crown Publishing Group, 2010

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Discuss

We will engage in a whole-class discussion to share our understanding of the story of the Henrietta Lacks and consider questions we might further explore. This will help us express our understanding of the themes of the text and prepare for the Application Unit.

Central Question:

How do we tell someone else’s story?

  1. How did the texts in this unit help you understand or think about the Central Question?

  2. What avenue of analysis did you take for your Culminating Task and how did it relate to the Central Question?

  3. What about this text or topic do you still want to know?

  4. Was there any particular topic or text that captured your attention? Why?

Activity 2: Discuss

We will examine and discuss possible connections among the unit, other units from the year, and the research we might choose to do in the final Application Unit.

Follow along as your teacher overviews the Application Unit and the collaborative and independent research project you will be doing to complete the year’s learning. Ask questions about what will be expected of you and what options you will have for completing the culminating project.

Individually, reflect on what interested you during this unit and what you might want to explore further. Capture these reflections on the Application Unit Potential Topics Tool. Use the following questions to help guide your reflection:

  1. Were there any particular topics or texts that captured your attention? Why?

  2. What about each text or topic do you still want to study? What questions do you still have? Write these down in the Questions or Subtopics to Explore column.

  3. How would you begin to research each text or topic?

As a class or in groups, have a final discussion about what engaged you in this unit as well as what and how you might want to study further for the final Application Unit.