Unit 1: Undefeated and the Definition Essay

Overview:

Football is a great American tradition. Undefeated tells the story of a high school football team in Tennessee, the Manasas Tigers, on their way to a record breaking season. The film questions the meaning of words like success, failure, character, discipline, etc. As Courtney, the team’s coach, often quotes, “The measure of a man’s character is not determined by how he handles his wins, but how he handles his failures.” The film raises the question: How will the failure of social inequalities be handled when the sports season is over?

Texts:

·  Undefeated (Winner of Best Documentary Feature 2011)
·  Patterns For College Writing, p. 509-521
·  “I Want a Wife” Judy Brady, p. 524-527
·  “Tortillas” José Antonio Burciaga, p. 528-531 / ·  “The Wife Beater” Gayle Rosenwald Smith
·  “Stigmatic Uniforms” Paul Fussell, p. 544-549
·  “What Work Is” (Poetry) Philip Levine, p. 550-552

Definition Essay

In a 2-3 page paper (double-spaced) select one of the words to the right, featured prominently in Undefeated, and write an extended definition essay that explores the meaning and complexity of the word. The essay should follow the five-paragraph format and should include three specific examples, one of which must come from the documentary, and the other two which can come from your own life experience, literature, history, etc.. / ·  Character
·  Discipline
·  Teamwork
·  (Good) Father / ·  Success
·  Failure
·  Coach

Fishbowl Discussion

After we have watched the documentary, and before we write the paper, the class will participate in a fishbowl discussion to discuss the characters and topics of the film. Students will use their graphic organizer and will write questions using Costa’s Levels of Questions to bring to the discussion. Students will be expected to participate and bring new ideas and insight to the conversation.

Unit 1: Undefeated and the Definition Essay

Overview:

Football is a great American tradition. Undefeated tells the story of a high school football team in Tennessee, the Manasas Tigers, on their way to a record breaking season. The film questions the meaning of words like success, failure, character, discipline, etc. As Courtney, the team’s coach, often quotes, “The measure of a man’s character is not determined by how he handles his wins, but how he handles his failures.” The film raises the question: How will the failure of social inequalities be handled when the sports season is over?

Texts:

·  Undefeated (Winner of Best Documentary Feature 2011)
·  Patterns For College Writing, p. 509-521
·  “I Want a Wife” Judy Brady, p. 524-527
·  “Tortillas” José Antonio Burciaga, p. 528-531 / ·  “The Wife Beater” Gayle Rosenwald Smith
·  “Stigmatic Uniforms” Paul Fussell, p. 544-549
·  “What Work Is” (Poetry) Philip Levine, p. 550-552

Definition Essay

In a 2-3 page paper (double-spaced) select one of the words to the right, featured prominently in Undefeated, and write an extended definition essay that explores the meaning and complexity of the word. The essay should follow the five-paragraph format and should include three specific examples, one of which must come from the documentary, and the other two which can come from your own life experience, literature, history, etc.. / ·  Character
·  Discipline
·  Teamwork
·  (Good) Father / ·  Success
·  Failure
·  Coach

Fishbowl Discussion

After we have watched the documentary, and before we write the paper, the class will participate in a fishbowl discussion to discuss the characters and topics of the film. Students will use their graphic organizer and will write questions using Costa’s Levels of Questions to bring to the discussion. Students will be expected to participate and bring new ideas and insight to the conversation.

Standard / Practice / Assessment
·  11-12.SL.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. / ·  Think-Pair-Share
·  Elbow Partners / ·  Fishbowl Discussion
·  11-12.W.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. / ·  Paragraph Practice / ·  Extended Definition Essay with Rough Draft that show editing and revising.
·  11-12.W.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. / ·  Paragraph Practice
·  Peer Review
·  11-12.RI.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain. / ·  Watch Undefeated
·  Example Essays in Textbook
·  11-12.RI.7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem. / ·  Example Essays in Textbook
·  11-12.L.2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. Observe hyphenation conventions. Spell correctly. / ·  In-Class Practice
·  11-12.W.5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or typing a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. / ·  Example Essays in Textbook
·  Peer Review

*Final Assessments will be graded and entered into Pinnacle

Standard / Practice / Assessment
·  11-12.SL.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. / ·  Think-Pair-Share
·  Elbow Partners / ·  Fishbowl Discussion
·  11-12.W.1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. / ·  Paragraph Practice / ·  Extended Definition Essay with Rough Draft that show editing and revising.
·  11-12.W.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. / ·  Paragraph Practice
·  Peer Review
·  11-12.RI.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain. / ·  Watch Undefeated
·  Example Essays in Textbook
·  11-12.RI.7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem. / ·  Example Essays in Textbook
·  11-12.L.2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. Observe hyphenation conventions. Spell correctly. / ·  In-Class Practice
·  11-12.W.5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or typing a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. / ·  Example Essays in Textbook
·  Peer Review

*Final Assessments will be graded and entered into Pinnacle