Reading in the Middle, Junior and Senior High Schools, Spring, 2010

A High-Interest Novel Helps Struggling Readers Confront Bullying in Schools
Allison Ollis
Quinn, Kathleen Benson. "A High-Interest Novel Helps Struggling Readers Confront Bullying in Schools."ReadWriteThink. International Reading Association, n.d. Web. 16 Mar 2010..
This lesson plan is meant for grades 9-12 and is to be done over the course of six 90 minute periods. Students will have a more in-depth understanding of bullying after completing this lesson plan. With this lesson plan they will get to read The Bully by Paul Langan that covers bullying and violence that is present in schools today. The students will read the book in stages and discuss topics that are related to bullying. Students will have reflective journals, graphic organizers, and they will be constantly putting themselves in the characters shoes and explain how they would respond to situations.
Standard: Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition: Competency Goal 1: The learner will reflect on and express reactions to print and non-print resources.: 1.02 Respond to resources to: demonstrate an understanding of cultural, historical, and/or social implications with precision, sensitivity, energy, and imagination.
Standard: English II: Strands: Oral Language, Written Language, and Other Media/Technology: Competency Goal 3: The learner will defend argumentative positions on literary or nonliterary issues.: 3.01 Examine controversial issues by:: sharing and evaluating initial personal response.

My Adaptation of the Lesson Plan
I like where this lesson plan is going but I think I want to take it a little further and use a different book that will cover even more topics that my students may be going through. I would use the book Twisted by L.H. Anderson. I personally think that it is a great book and it covers all kinds of topics such as bullying, drugs, alcohol, being accepted, family problems, sex, and so much more. I feel that not only will my students learn a lot by reading this book but that it is a fun and interesting read.
My lesson plan could still be used for grades 9-12 but I may extend it to cover over a two week period, maybe longer. I have made a portfolio that my students can select pre-reading, during reading, and post reading activities from. They get to choose which ones they want to do but I have placed a star beside ones that they automatically have to do. All of the questions cover one topic or another and the students get to use many different materials such as creating a CD, journals, essays, drawings, and much more.