LESSON PLAN
Deanna Byrne
Subject: Internal Battle
Grade Level: 10th
A Separate Peace
(Into/Through/Beyond)
OBJECTIVE(S)/STUDENT OUTCOMES:
· Students will explore the emotion of guilt and how it can work for or against us in dealing with mistakes.
· Students will become aware that making the right choice is easier when they discipline themselves.
STANDARDS:
Literary Response and Analysis
3.8 Interpret and evaluate the impact of ambiguities, subtleties, contradictions, ironies and incongruities in a text.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
The Replacement Child video, by Justin Lerner
STEPS IN LESSON:
Journal Prompt
Have you ever made a mistake? When you make a mistake, how does it make you feel, and what judgments do you tend to make about yourself?
Part I
Interview a classmate about a mistake or lack of judgment-type experience that had a strong influence on him or her. Record the results of your interview, and then have the same classmate interview you. Share with the rest of the class what both of you learned from the interviews. In discussion, consider why different kinds of events influence people as strongly as they do. What emotional reactions do we have with these mistakes? How did Gene’s mistake affect him?
Part II
Watch The Replacement Child.
Courage from Old English – “corage” meaning heart and spirit
Split class into groups
Have them share in groups their insights with each other on the following questions
- Does it take courage to admit your mistakes to yourself or to others? Explain
- How can guilt and courage work together to help you succeed when you make a mistake?
- In what way can guilt be valuable to you when you make a mistake? When does it become a negative and get in the way?
- When you make a mistake, is it possible to feel guilt but not let it weigh you down? Explain.
- What can you do to practice courage when you have made a mistake?
- You feel guilty because you have done something others have said you should not do, but you are in doubt. You think maybe it is okay, but you still feel guilty. What are some things you could do to figure out the right thing to do?
ELD/SDAIE STRATEGIES:
Group discussion
Journals
Interviews
MULTIMPLE INTELLIGENCES USED:
Verbal-Linguistic / Interpersonal / Intrapersonal
ASSESSMENT:
Sometimes there are more questions than answers in life. But as long as we keep asking the questions, we are moving in the right direction. Mistakes are nothing to fear but to learn from. It takes courage to admit that you have made a mistake or a poop choice and to take responsibility for the consequences. Let your guilt work for you as a reminder of how to do things better the next time, how to grow from negative experiences. Use your courage to keep you focused, and learn from your mistakes.