Summary:

Read/Write about The J ungle (graphic novel adaption) by Upton Sinclair: After
students learn about Sinclairs journalism career and review how to read a graphic novel,
the students will read The Jungle as a class. The students will take turn reading the text,
with the teacher stopping to explain or connect ideas when necessary. After every
chapter/section, the students will be assessed on their comprehension of the novel by
means of short answer questions. These questions will direct the teacher to either discuss
the current section further or precede to the next section.
Vocabulary and Terms: While the students acquire adequate historical context of Upton
Sinclair and the conditions of the Progressive era, they will be introduced to various
terms and vocabulary specific to the novel. The students will be given a list of vocabulary
they will come across in the text. With this vocabulary, the students will define and
provide an example of each word using a dictionary. When reading the graphic novel, the
students will identify the location of each vocabulary in the context of the novel.
Throughout the novel, students will be required to interact with the vocabulary by visiting
Quizlet both in and out of the classroom.
Objectives:
Students will extend their abilities to read for a variety of purposes including to gather
and connect textual information and ideas to their historical context and authors point of
view.
Students will be able to analyze and evaluate the impact, either positive or negative, of
ideas and events on society.
Students will be able to reconstruct and express others' points of view both verbally and
in writing.
CCSS:
RL.8.1- Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text
says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RL.8.2- Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the
course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an
objective summary of the text.
RL.8.4- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including
figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on
meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
RL.8.11- Interpret, analyze, and evaluate narratives, poetry, and drama, artistically and
ethically by making connections to: other texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras,
personal events, and situations
RI.8.5- Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role
of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.
RI.8.6- Determine an authors point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the
author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
SL.8.1- Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups,
and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on
others ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Assessment:
Observation of students verbal responses during verbal comprehension checks.
Short answer comprehension questions with textual references to support the students
response.