Unit 3 Lesson 3

Unit/Topic:   Everyone is guilty of something

Enduring Understanding(s)

Students will understand –

1. Guilt is the mainstay of who we are and how we are organized, and is, seemingly, our undeniable destiny. This is a truism of the West.
2. Guilt is as old as the DNA that defines our species.
3. Human greed contributes to most of the crimes in the world throughout history.
4. Ponzi scheme is an embodiment of our infinite capacity for self-delusion.

Essential Question(s):

• Why is the western civilization based on guilt?
• Why did Madoff emerge not as some master criminal, but as a sad, hapless man who, lacking the character to tell the truth at the critical moment, stumbled foolishly and blindly into one of the crimes of the century?
• Why does the Ponzi scheme such as Madoff’s  hold us not because of the engrossing details of the scam, but because of its human dimension?
• Were Ponzi scheme victims innocent? Why or why not?

CCS Standards & Skills (1A/1E):

RI.9-10.5   Analyze in detail how an author’s ideas and claims are developed and refined by particular sentences, paragraphs, or larger portions of the text (e.g., a section or chapter).

RI.9-10.2

Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

W.9-10.2.b

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.

W.9-10.9.b

Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

L.9-10.4.a

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

 Academic Vocabulary/Key Concepts (1A)

• corroborate (v.) – to confirm or give support to

 Materials/Resources (1D):

• Copies of Walter Mosley’s “True Crime” essay for each student
• salvation (n.) – the act of saving or being saved

Agenda

• Review standards
• Check homework
• Point out the objectives and aim and Do Now
• Mini Lesson
• Student Independent practice
• Assessment- Quick Write
• Closing

Objectives: Students will analyze and discuss in small groups how Mosley introduces and develops another central idea—the notion that fictional accounts of crime can help us cope with our inherent guilt

Aim: How do particular sentences in the text develop and refine Mosley’s claim regarding what fiction can offer?

Do Now: Share homework assignments in small groups

Mini Lesson/Guided Practice (1E)

How do we use questioning techniques to uncover an author’s purpose or the central idea s/he tries to convey?

Example 1: Read paragraph 5 and identify the key idea in the paragraph, which is people who are powerless become victims of a wicked society or caught in between good and evil.

Based on the key idea, use a question format to raise the issue implied-

Why does a society victimize its innocent bystanders? ( What issue is implied in the question? What do we know about the society? its people? what causes them to be victims?)

Example 2: Read paragraph 6 and identify the key idea in the paragraph, which is people are vulnerable and can get hurt or become guilty for doing the right thing.

Based on the key idea, use a question format to raise the issue implied-

Why are we “vulnerable”? Can someone be guilty of doing what he believes is right? What make people vulnerable in a society? Why is someone guilty for doing the right thing? Again what does it reveal about ” everyone is guilty of something” central idea?

The questions reveal that the society can’t protect its people who may be guilty of stupidity (due to our vulnerability )for doing something right, which connects to the CI that due to this fear for losing safety, we can be guilty of not doing the right thing when called upon, in other words, we can be cowards because we need to protect ourselves first.

Independent Practice/Group Activity Questions (3D):

In pairs, read assigned paragraphs and do the following. Write your responses on a loose leaf. Share in class.

group 1:Paragraphs 7 &8; group 2: paragraphs 9 & 10; Group 3: paragraphs 11 & 12

Group 4: Paragraphs 13-14  Group 5: Paragraphs 15-16

1. What’s the key idea in the paragraph? Write a sentence or two to express it.
2. Based on the key idea, what issues are being addressed or discussed?
3. What kind questions can we raise or ask based on the  issue, implied or stated?
4. What do the questions reveal about how the author is developing his central idea that “everyone is guilty of something” and “This is the truism of the west”.

Assessment: Quick Write- How do particular sentences in the text develop and refine Mosley’s claim regarding what fiction can offer?

Homework: Respond to the following TBQs-

1. According to Mosley, why do we turn to fiction for truth? According to Mosley, what do fiction and entertainment provide for us?(para. 12)
2. What role do fictional “heroes” play for us in our lives, and how are they limited? What does Mosley mean when he says dilemmas? Give an example of a dilemma from the text. (para 13)
3. What does Mosley mean by salvation? What is the “machine that covers the world with its cold, gray shadow”? How does Mosley’s use of “cold, gray shadow” refine the central idea of vulnerability?( para.14)
4. Why, according to Mosley, do “We need forgiveness and someone to blame”?How is guilt related to our fascination with real and fictional crime stories? ( Para. 15 & 16)
5. What is the central idea ( claim) Mosely has made through this article? How does he evolve the claim? What are the most relevant evidence does Mosely use to develop his claim?