Math:

Graphing and interpreting data (e.g. graduation rates, incarceration rates, victims of NYC stop and frisk policy). Connection here with Kozol if taken in that direction. Quotas in higher ed. Admissions (as study of ratios)? Researching and graphic demographic changes across time and place in Philly?

Science:
Eugenics? Could use Race: The Power of an Illusion as jumping off point. Are there any kid-friendly articles that would address this idea? There is that exhibit at the Penn Museum, but its not very big. Tie-in with media: Is science always true? Can science be biased?

Personal identity and race

Literacy:
Read aloud: Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian; Slam Dunk? Need more ideas. A chapter or two each day. Guided reading: Maintain same structure as throughout the year but use books with character (preferably child or adolescent) exploring identity. Again, need more examples. Ways to get at all different components of identity: Brainstorming with bubble chart? Can be put on wall, continually and mutually added to as unit progresses. Writing bio-poems. Shared reading: Story of Esperanza from The House on Mango Street and also chapter from A Farewell to Manzanar Creative writing: Small scene is which character is stereotyped, as in Manzanar Autobiography: At least 3 body paragraphs. Must include important characteristics, an event that shaped identity, what people might think about you that isnt really true. Good example of autobiography for this level of readers needed. We Wear the Mask to discuss identity and fitting in Trying to get some group work in. Writing and performing a skit that engages with a stereotype?

Social Studies:
Specific emphases on racial identity and critical media literacy What is race? What parts of identity are racialized? Race: The Power of an Illusion to look at race as a social construct, not a biological fact (science connection here). Maybe some Howard Zinn here, too. Come up with a unified definition of race and racism? Segregation today? Refer back to The Gold Cadillac and discuss how things have changed, how theyre the same. Use Kozol, e.g. to look at educational segregation. Newspaper images of black and white folks stranded after Katrina as entre into media. Why would media portray the same action in different ways? What message is being sent? Also, there are videos on YouTube of the black/white doll experiment. Compare scene in The Gold Cadillac to The Great Debaters to compare print and visual media. Kids will want to watch entire film. Leave as possibility for Friday afternoon if good behavior throughout week? Looking at how different media outlets portrayed figures of the Civil Rights Movement, particularly more polarizing figures like Malcolm X or Black Panther Party. Where/how to find resources? Letter to the editor as culminating project. Racism is gone, so we should not talk about race anymore. Agree or disagree, and why?