What's included
16 live meetings
14 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Generally, we do most of the work in class as we read the text together and discuss what we've read. Occasionally there may be an activity to reinforce the new vocabulary words we are learning, or think questions to help us connect to the reading.Assessment
Informal assessment throughout our reading sessions, to be sure students comprehend the reading and are thinking critically about it. Connections to the characters and recognizing author characterization skills.Class Experience
Students will enjoy this captivating and mind boggling story of teenagers who discover that they have been set apart for a specific and bizarre purpose-- to be "unwound" for their individual parts to be donated to people needing them. We will discuss themes such as freedom, individuality, human value, choices, and friendship. We will also examine characters, author craft/purpose, and learn valuable vocabulary as we read. There will be random response questions and vocabulary practice that students can complete on their own and we will review in class. Here is a guideline for our schedule of reading: NOTE: Our goal will be to read about 20 pages together each time we meet, although we may read more or less each session, depending on how much discussion we have and what vocabulary and response activities we may pursue. Week 1 pp 1-21 and pp 22-43 Week 2 pp 44-65 and pp 66-87 Week 3 pp 88-109 and pp 110-131 Week 4 pp 132-153 and pp 154-175 Week 5 pp 176-197 and pp 198-219 Week 6 pp 220-241 and pp 242-263 Week 7 pp 264-285 and pp 286-307 Week 8 pp 308- end, plus final thoughts, review, and choosing our next book read aloud Here is the book overview from thriftbooks.com: (Unwind is...) The first twisted and futuristic novel in the perennially popular New York Times bestselling Unwind dystology by Neal Shusterman. In America after the Second Civil War, the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life armies came to an agreement: The Bill of Life states that human life may not be touched from the moment of conception until a child reaches the age of thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, a parent may choose to retroactively get rid of a child through a process called "unwinding." Unwinding ensures that the child's life doesn't "technically" end by transplanting all the organs in the child's body to various recipients. Now a common and accepted practice in society, troublesome or unwanted teens are able to easily be unwound. With breathtaking suspense, this book follows three teens who all become runaway Unwinds: Connor, a rebel whose parents have ordered his unwinding; Risa, a ward of the state who is to be unwound due to cost-cutting; and Lev, his parents' tenth child whose unwinding has been planned since birth as a religious tithing. As their paths intersect and lives hang in the balance, Shusterman examines complex moral issues that will keep readers turning the pages until the very end. ~~~~ I strongly encourage you to read the Common Sense Media summary and reviews to understand the good, the bad, and the ugly opinions about this book. Then I ask that you determine your child is mature enough for this matter. As we read, we will focus on the positive, aim to understand why the characters act the way they do, and approach the controversial subjects objectively, noting that all humans have individual value.
Learning Goals
Students will learn about themes such as the value of each individual, the importance of true friendship, and making difficult decisions, while enjoying the shared experience of this dystopian novel, UNWIND, by Neal Shusterman. We will also be adding valuable advanced words to our vocabulary through contextual and authentic usage.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
I strongly encourage you to read the Common Sense Media summary and reviews to understand the good, the bad, and the ugly opinions about this book. Then I ask that you determine your child is mature enough for this matter. As we read, we will focus on the positive, aim to understand why the characters act the way they do, and approach the controversial subjects objectively, noting that all humans have individual value. As a teacher, I aim to keep my political views out of the classroom, and instead maintain an empathetic, compassionate and objective viewpoint towards the characters of our stories. I encourage parent questions and concerns in regards to any sensitive material.
Supply List
A copy of book UNWIND by Neal Shusterman (digital or paper copy) paper and pen or pencil for notes and keeping list/definitions of vocabulary words
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Missouri Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Master's Degree in Education from University of Missouri-Columbia
I have read this book as a read aloud with an 8th grade class. It sparked many questions and contemplations that generated discussion among the students. The overall impression was thankfulness that the world is not truly like this. And admiration for the bravery of the characters.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$35
weekly or $275 for 16 classes2x per week, 8 weeks
55 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-17
1-4 learners per class