Unit 1 Coming of Age

Common Lit. This 360 Unit is anchored around five engaging short stories that illuminate both the exhilaration and the pain inherent in the transition from adolescence to adulthood: “Safety of Numbers,” “Through The Tunnel,” “American History,” “Eraser Tattoo,” and “Marigolds.” In their struggles to become independent, the protagonists in each of these stories often come to painful realizations about adults and the world around them. To help students further engage with the coming of age themes in the unit, students read “Growing Up: Key Moments,” an informational text about the pivotal experiences that we undergo during the transition from childhood to adulthood. Students also read an informational text about the impact of the assassination of John F. Kennedy to build background knowledge for the short story “American History.” Students work collaboratively during a Related Media Exploration featuring videos that explore the role of risk-taking and peer relationships in a person’s coming of age journey. By the end of this 360 Unit, students should be able to articulate themes about coming of age shared by these stories and discuss how the authors develop their theme through craft. To demonstrate this skill, they will write an essay where they refer to unit texts and personal experiences to explain their perspective on coming of age. Students will practice their writing skills from the unit by using context to introduce evidence and blending evidence naturally into their writing. This unit also includes resources to support teachers in launching an independent reading program or book clubs that run parallel to the core instruction in this unit