"Will Grayson, Will Grayson" discussion idea

Chapter 5  - "He calls everyone fu--er. Is it a compliment? An insult?"

When words are overused, do they lose their meaning? The "F" word is definitely overused at my school, and I honestly don't think it means the same thing to my students as it does to me.

What are some other words that are overused, and have lost their meaning?
"Worst" and "best"?

How can we adapt our writing (and speaking) to be effective?

"Will Grayson, Will Grayson"

Will Grayson, will grayson follows two boys named Will Grayson after they have a chance meeting. 

This book addresses sexuality, friends, and relationships.

Curriculum packet

"Champion" - Legend series #3

Champion is the conclusion to the "Legend" series, and we find resolution for Day and June.

Democracy and international relations play a big role in this novel, and some pre-teaching of how our current government is structured may help. This could even pair with a cross-curricular unit that looks at other forms of government, and how countries work together (the United Nations, World Trade Organization, etc.).

Curriculum packet

"Prodigy" - Legend novel #2

Prodigy is the second novel in the "Legend" series, and does an excellent job continuing the overall arc of June and Day's struggles. We are introduced to some new characters and new challenges as June is put in a very divisive position.

Curriculum packet

"Legend" project idea

June and Day come from such different lives, that I challenged students to really analyze their character, and investigate what would happen if roles were reversed.

What would happen if Day was in June's life? Would his character be different? Is he the product of his circumstances?

Ask the same questions of June - how would she be different if she were poor, struggling, and at the bottom of the social ladder? What elements of her personality and character would remain, and which did she develop simply because of her schooling and position in life? What would she be like if she weren't groomed for greatness?

"Legend"

This story is the first in another dystopian trilogy. I like that this story follows Day, a Robin Hood of sorts, and June, and switching narration back and forth. 

Themes to investigate include classes in society and the morality of robbing from the rich to give to the poor.

Curriculum packet

"Please Ignore Vera Dietz" timeline

My students were really struggling with all of the flashbacks, so they kept track of events on a timeline. In the end, they were able to see the string of events as they happened. This also led to good discussion on A. S. King's stylistic choices, and what the advantages are of this method of storytelling.

Here is the beginning of our completed timeline:

before Vera	Ken’s dad left when he was 3; he started drinking at age 10.
0	Vera is born, Cindy is 17, and Ken is 18.
>5 months – 1 year	Cindy is stripping to pay the rent since Ken spends all of their money on booze.
5 months	Ken goes to AA after he is too drunk to remember to feed Vera.
4	Ken passes his CPA test.
7	Charlie and Vera find the Master Oak, created by the Great Hunter.
11	Charlie tries to get Vera to smoke a cigarette.
11	During the summer, Charlie & Vera meet John the pervert on the trail.
12	Cindy moves to Vegas with Marty, the podiatrist.
12	Vera starts volunteering at Zimmerman’s pet store during the summer.
13	Charlie & Vera kiss on New Year’s Eve for practice.
13	During the summer, Vera volunteers two days a week at Zimmerman’s.
13	Charlie builds the treehouse.
14	Charlie goes to a football game with Ken & Vera, and Ken says to ignore the abuse.
14	Charlie goes to the doctor because his mom thinks he is throwing his underwear away, but he is really selling them to John the pervert.