By Cassie Deters

13 Reasons Why – By Jay Asher Brief Summary – Clay Jensen finds a box of cassette tapes on his porch one day. His classmate and crush, Hannah Baker commits suicide and has thirteen reasons why she does, and Clay finds out why he is one of these reasons. NOVEL I CHOSE

 I would teach this young adult novel to:  Either ninth or tenth students.  Both male and female students.  A normal sized class (20-25 students).  Students of all ethnicities. CONTEXT OF LESSON

 This novel would be a novel read in the beginning of the year to set the stage for more challenging novels.  Teaching theme and underlying ideas would be the focus of this novel because regardless of difference in ethnicity, death is universal, self- inflicted or not. CONTEXT OF LESSON

 This novel would be taught in English class, and this would be the focus for a part of the semester/quarter.  This novel fits into my curriculum because I’m teaching this novel specifically for theme and underlying ideas. DESCRIPTION OF COURSE

 This novel would focus on Common Core Standards: English Language Arts Standards >> Reading: Literature >> : Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text : Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail 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 : Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise. COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

 Introduction of novel (background/summary of novel, discussion of ideas in the novel, setting the stage for this novel) – One class period.  Reading the novel and discussions in between readings – Two weeks total, approximately 6-9 class periods.  Discussion after reading novel – one to two class periods.  Assessment of understanding of novel – one class period. SCHEDULE FOR LESSON

Resources needed to teach 13 Reasons Why: 1.Depending on availability – Internet access to research different cultures and their views on suicide and death 2.Copy of novel, or I would photocopy the book onto the school’s equivalent of Blackboard. 3.I would come up with my own study guide questions and reflection questions for before, during and after reading. RESOURCES FOR TEACHING

I want my students to learn:  About suicide and death and the effects it has on young adults  How suicide/death can affect anyone, regardless of ethnicity/race. Pros and Cons of teaching this novel:  Pros: this novel is told from the perspective of two young people, death is not glorified in any way, this novel is very raw and real for young adults.  Cons: Very heavy themes and ideas, possibly too mature for some students, some issues may be hard to discuss (suicide, mental illness, death, relationships, growing up and maturing). WHAT DO I WANT MY STUDENTS TO LEARN?

Goals and objectives:  To have students read and understand the novel as a whole  To be able to discuss in depth and detail the themes and ideas of the novel  To be able to relate novel to real life scenarios  Discuss possible options if they were to face a situation similar to the novel OVERALL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

 Pre-reading assessment: worksheet/discussion questions on themes and ideas of the novel without revealing what the novel is or is about.  During reading: pop quizzes to test comprehension thus far, and journaling and class discussion to talk about ideas that have come up in the book.  Post reading: class discussion and writing a reflective essay on the ideas and themes of the novel.  Post reading: Researching different cultures rituals about death/suicide and showcasing how they are similar and differ from American culture. ASSESSMENT