The Outsiders (Extension for 8th Grade Heroes Unit)

GRADE: 8TH
CONTENT TOPIC: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is often read by 8th graders at VMMS as part of students'

summer reading program or as part of the first ELA (English Language Arts) unit on "Heroes." The
lesson discussed in the plan is for the final, culminating activity of the novel, which is to do a character
analysis and create an online scrapbook of characters using web 2.0 tools. The SLMS (school library
media specialist) will conduct the lesson and will discuss how certain characters such as Johnny Cade
are considered heroes.
Connection to ELA courses: 8th grade ELA teachers share their lesson plans for the unit with the SLMS
who plans activities to do in the media center during enrichment time or who develops resources and
activities to share with the ELA teachers.
STANDARDS FOR THE 21ST-CENTURY LEARNER GOALS
Standard: #3 Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic

society
Skills Indicator(s): 3.1.2 Participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual network of

learners
3.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to organize and display
knowledge and understanding in ways that others can view, use, and assess
3.1.6 Use information and technology ethically and responsibly
Benchmark(s): Locate information on the assigned character (physical description, quotes, images)

Evaluate the information found (is it accurate based on the novel)

Select information that reflects a range of learning styles (visual, auditory)
Dispositions Indicator(s): 3.2.1 Demonstrate leadership and confidence by presenting ideas to others in

both formal and informal situations

Responsibilities Indicator(s): 3.3.5 Contribute to the exchange of ideas within and beyond the learning

community
Self-Assessment Strategies Indicator(s): 3.4.2 Assess the quality and effectiveness of the learning product

3.4.3 Assess own ability to work with others in a group

setting by evaluating varied roles, leadership, and demonstrations of respect for other viewpoints
SCENARIO: 8th graders at VMMS often read the S.E. Hinton novel The Outsiders. The ELA (English

Language Arts) teachers and the SLMS (School Library Media Specialist) use the novel in connection
with not only Banned Book Week but also the summer reading program as well as the "Hero" unit.
Characters such as Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade can be considered unlikely heroes based on their
actions in the novel. While the class reads the novel in ELA, the ELA teachers provide daily support
including guided notes, comprehension quizzes, graphic organizers, and reading benchmarks. As a
culminating activity the SLMS will provide a lesson on storyboard quilts in the media center. As a way
to add technology and 21st century research skills to the assignment, students will create their character
analysis storyboard quilt "pieces" using glogster so that they can share them with classmates as well as
collaborate online.
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CONNECTION TO LOCAL OR STATE STANDARDS

Tech: CC6-8WH/SS/S/TS8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search
terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and quote or paraphrase the data and
conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format of citation
ELA: CC.8.W.9 Research to Build and Present Knowledge: Draw evidence from literary or information texts to
support analysis, reflection, and research
CC.8.R.L.1 Key Ideas and Details: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of
what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
LESSON OBJECTIVES: Students use web 2.0 tools to collaborate as well as analyze a work on literary

fiction.
OVERVIEW: 8th grade students will create online storyboard quilt pieces of various characters from The

Outsiders. Students will use web 2.0 tools to create a visual of the character analysis that they conduct
while using an example provided by the SLMS.
FINAL PRODUCT: The final product for each student will be a storyboard quilt piece that he or she creates

using glogster. Instead of the traditional storyboard quilts used in ELA classes (on construction paper or
poster paper and then strung together), the class will create character pieces on glogster, thinglink, or
storyboardthat so that others can comment, collaborate, and edit online. The final product must include
a physical description of the character, quotes by the character, things that symbolize the character, and a
brief summary of the character's role in the novel.
LIBRARY LESSON(S): The students will have one lesson in the media center to complete their research,

sketch ideas, and brainstorm; then students will create their storyboard quilt character online during the
next class lesson. Students are then encouraged to continue work at home as well as edit and collaborate
on other students' products.
ESTIMATED LESSON TIME: The lesson will be two class periods.
ASSESSMENT
Product -- The final product (the storyboard quilt using web 2.0 tools) will be assessed based on a rubric
created by the SLMS. The rubric will include sections for the character's description, symbols, quotes,
importance to plot, and the correct use of grammar and technology including citing evidence used from the
novel and the web.
Process -- Informal review will make sure that students are providing specific evidence from the novel and
that the students have enough information to begin working on the computers. As students work on their
storyboard quilts, the SLMS will continue to monitor the students' progress and offer suggestions and help as
needed.
Student self-questioning -- As students work on their storyboard quilts, they will edit, revise, and evaluate
their work. They will also have an opportunity to collaborate with other students and offer revision advice to
them as well.
INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN

Resources students will use: (Check the appropriate box and list the resources below)
Online subscription database(s) Web sites
Books
Reference
Nonprint
Periodicals/newspapers
Other (list):

Instruction/activities
o Direct instruction: The SLMS will provide the details of what is expected on the storyboard
quilt. The SLMS will also show students how to log on to the web 2.0 tools such as glogster, set
up a student account, and find templates. There will be an instruction card at each computer as
well. This portion of the lesson will use the SLMSs computer station, projector, and Promethean
board.
o Modeling and guided practice: The SLMS wil show students an example of a completed
storyboard quilt and will discuss with the students why she used specific details and examples on
her graphic organizer; the SLMS will use the character of Ponyboy as her example. Students will
use their notes, quizzes, and the novel to complete their own brainstorming of ideas.
o Independent practice: Students will complete their brainstorming and then move to the online
portion of the lesson. Students will use glogster, thinglink, or storyboardthat to create their online
storyboard quilt (this version is not the traditional paper, color pencils, and cut out pictures then
put together to form a complete quilt; instead it is an online version so that students can
collaborate, edit, and work on web 2.0 tools). As students work, the SLMS will assist with any
questions that students have and will continually walk among the computers to assess informally
the work being done.
o Sharing and reflecting: As students work online, they can also collaborate. Students will be
given several days after the media center lesson to complete their work (homework). Students
have the opportunity during this time to collaborate, edit, and comment on each others work.
Once the assignment is complete, students will be given a self-reflection rubric to complete. This
self-reflection rubric will require students to assess how their quilt looks, the information
included, and what could be changed or improved for the next web 2.0 assignment.

Strategies for Differentiation -- Students who are more comfortable with technology may choose to design
their own template while others may use some of the samples provided on the sites. Students also have the
flexibility to collaborate on their work. Students will also decide on the character they wish to create the
storyboard quilt for (major and minor characters can be used as long as there is enough textual evidence to fill
in all sections of the quilt).

Example Glog: A sample storyboard quilt piece has been done for the narrator Ponyboy Curtis from the
novel The Outsiders. The URL for the sample glog is attached below; it may be necessary to copy and
paste the URL in the web address browser.
http://tlpdbowen04.edu.glogster.com/ponyboy-the-outsiders-for-banned-book-week/