Section 1: Overview

Frankenstein and the Pursuit of Knowledge

In this section, we will introduce the unit’s Central Question: What does it mean to be human? Throughout the unit, we will explore several big ideas to help inform our understanding of the question, including the pursuit of knowledge, the need for human connection, nature versus nurture, and unintended consequences.

• Lesson 1:

  We will preview the unit’s Central Question and Culminating Task before we begin reading the novel Frankenstein. We will also review the Frankenstein Big Ideas Note-Taking Tool that will be used throughout the unit.

• Lesson 2:

  We will examine the historical development of the epistolary novel and analyze its impact on Frankenstein.

• Lesson 3:

  We will investigate Mary Shelley’s life and any impact her experiences may have had on her writing of Frankenstein.

• Lesson 4:

  As we begin to prepare for the Section Diagnostic, we will engage in close reading activities to solidify our understanding of the text’s big ideas.

• Lesson 5:

  We have traced Victor Frankenstein’s character development as we read the first few chapters of Frankenstein. To demonstrate our understanding of the novel, we will write responses that outline how Victor’s beliefs about the pursuit of knowledge have shifted using specific details from the text.

• Lesson 6:

  We will review feedback on the Section Diagnostic. We will use the feedback to make revisions to our work.

• Lesson 7:

  We will commence an Independent Reading Program in which we choose texts to read independently as we progress through the unit. We will learn how to choose texts, what activities we may complete, about the final task, and about any materials we will use as we read our independent reading texts. We will begin by reading our texts, using tools to help us take notes and analyze important textual elements.