Exploring Identity and Mental Health in Teens: Unit of Study Overview
Delve into the complexities of young adulthood with a unit of study focusing on self-acceptance, personal growth, and navigating mental health challenges. With a key novel as the centerpiece, students engage in interactive activities to foster understanding and reflection on the themes of identity and resilience. Dive into the journey of self-discovery and empowerment in this educational exploration.
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Its the End of the World as Teens Know It, or Is It? Unit of Study by Jessica Smith
Navigating young adulthood is nothing short of easy. Teens endure constant inner turmoil as they try to find a sense of identity and agency. rationale These personal battles often lead to social isolation, loneliness, and depression. enduring a traumatic experience does not define a person forever. The negative stigma surrounding mental health causes the affected to feel outcasted instead of validated and/or accepted. Objective promote the power of self- acceptance and personal growth.
Centerpiece novel: Speakby Laurie HalseAnderson YA pairing: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Speak introduces Melinda who suffers from those mental instabilities caused by being raped. She struggles to find (or keep) a connection with peers/friends because of this. Compare Melinda s hardships to those of Charlie and Patrick in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
into the text To introduce this unit, students will find a printout of the lyrics to Lady Gaga s song Born This Way while we listen to it together. Students will be encouraged to annotate what resonates with them then asked to share their findings. Choosing a well-known pop song by a universally loved musician breaks any hesitation and piques interest. Don t be a drag, just be a queen Whether you re broke or evergreen You re black, white, beige, chola descent You re Lebanese, you re Orient Whether life s disabilities Leave you outcast, bullied or teased Rejoice and love yourself today Cause baby, you were born this way. No matter gay, straight, or bi Lesbian, transgender life I m on the right track, baby I was born to survive No matter black, white, or beige Chola or Orient made I m on the right track, baby I was born to be brave! After, students will be asked to journal a response to a loose prompt that coincides with the novel s themes. Independent writing gives students the opportunity to be open and honest with themselves regarding heavy themes. Journaling also promotes writing freely which helps students not feel confined to the expectant proper writing techniques.
through the text 2 short daily journal entries Students will participate by responding to a prompt that corresponds with current events in the novel. This portion will focus on literary analysis and overall text comprehension. A repeating set of questions that allows students to free write while still engaging with the text by considering their own lives in comparison. The power of choice promotes a sense of control that caters to their strengths. Students must answer each question at least once. How do the actions of _______ affect the other characters? What would you have done in that scenario? What themes, or other literary elements, are prominent in this section? Do they resonate with you? What are 3 things you love about yourself?
through the text, cont. Wrapping up this unit, students will be asked to find either a poem, song, film, or another piece of literature that relate to the theme(s) of Speak that resonated the most. Students will need to provide a visual or audio representation (PP, music/lyric video, reading poem aloud, etc.) Their choice of creative outlet will need to be accompanied by a 500 750-word essay on its relation to Speak that is to be presented in class. objective Able to recognize similar traits and literary devices through different characters/narrators in other novels, poems, songs, and film. This will enhance text comprehension, literary analysis, and hopefully promote personal reflection.
Furthermore I would also direct my students to other YA novels that parallel both Speak and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. beyond the text Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (Beatrice Sparks) After finishing Speak, I will provide the opportunity for my students to watch one of the books film adaptation in class. Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen Film and stage performances are a powerful way to bring literature to life. The creative choices made by the actor, director, composer, and stagehands are purposefully chosen to successfully impart what the text demonstrates. The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
works cited Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. Macmillan Publishing Group, 1999. Chbosky, Stephen. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Pocket Books, 1999. Gaga, Lady. Born This Way. Born This Way (Official Music Video), YouTube, 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV1FrqwZyKw. Photo source: https://www.amazon.com/Speak-Laurie-Halse-Anderson/dp/0312674392
