Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Name: Randee Donnelly
Content Area: English Language Arts Grade Level: 11-12
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):
CCSS.ELA.RL.11-12.1: 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.
CCSS.ELA.RL.11-12.3: Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered,
how the characters/archetypes are introduced and developed).
CCSS.ELA.RL.11-12.6: Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g. satire, sarcasm, irony, or
understatement).
CCSS.ELA.W.11-12.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA.W.11-12.10: Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of
tasks, purposes, and audiences.
CCSS.ELA.L.11-12.3: Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more
fully when reading or listening.
a. Vary syntax for effect, consulting references for guidance as needed; apply an understanding of syntax to the study of complex texts when reading.
CCSS.ELA.L.11-12.5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g. hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.
b. Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations.

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

 How does Holden’s experiences within the text reflect a universal teenage experience? How is it different?
 Why do we alienate or isolate ourselves?
 What does it mean to be authentic? What does it mean to be ‘phony?’
 How important is truth in narrative?

Unit Summary:
In this unit, we will be reading J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye to look at the American teenage experience, specifically the ideas of alienation and authenticity. Throughout the unit,
students will be expected to meet the California Common Core State Standards. We will focus on analysis of the text, identifying and tracking themes as the text progresses, and
considering Salinger’s experience influencing his writing of Holden. To assess students’ analysis, students will be participating in class and peer group discussions as well as keeping a
journal responding to big idea questions and tracking their identified theme to assist their writing process. At the end of the unit, students will write an analysis of a theme they have
tracked throughout the unit, citing the text for support. Students will also have the option for a creative project centered on character and/or author. Throughout this unit, students will
be active readers, writers, and thinkers. Students will consider the big idea questions (listed above) in their journals and group discussions.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:
Quickwrite: After discussion and general introduction to novel and
author, students will write in response to one of the big idea
questions. This will encourage them to think deeply about one
specific area of the novel before reading about it in the text.
Formative:
Mind-Map- Students will construct a map on Bubbl.us to
further develop a specific theme from Catcher in the Rye.
This allows students to organize thoughts in a different
way to simply writing in their journals.
Summative:
Theme Essay- Students will write a 3-4 page essay
concerning a specific theme from Catcher in the Rye
to demonstrate understanding of the novel and offer
analysis of the text to support a developed thesis.

Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)

Student Learning Objective:
Students will know the meaning
of alienation and authenticity.
Lesson 2 (Webercise/ iPad Lesson)
Student Learning Objective:
Students will know the historical
and cultural context of Catcher in
the Rye.
Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)
Student Learning Objective:
Students will be able to identify
several themes and track their
development throughout the text.
Unit Resources:
Lesson one:
Teacher Lecture: https://prezi.com/utwfp7wfwmpq/authenticity-and-phony/
Guided Notes: http://donnelly-citr-unit.weebly.com/lesson-1-teacher-lecture.html
Acceptable Evidence
(Assessments):
Students will complete guided notes
as well as a quickwrite in response to
the teacher lecture and discussions
with class/peers.
Acceptable Evidence:
Students will complete their webquest
with background information about
Salinger and Catcher in the Rye.
Another form of acceptable evidence is
in depth journal entries considering
one or more topics from the webquest
assignment.
Acceptable Evidence:
A complete mindmap will serve as
acceptable evidence. Another form of
acceptable evidence is complete and
well developed essay analyzing their
chosen theme.
Lesson Activities:
Students will complete guided notes accompanied by a teacher lecture. After the novels introduction, students
will discuss their expectations of the novel, and respond to one Big Idea question. Teacher lecture will
continue introducing the central idea of authenticity within Catcher in the Rye and Holden Caulfield.
Lesson Activities:
Students will complete a Webquest discovering the life of J.D. Salinger and the start of a ‘teenager’ age.
Students will visit websites to complete each section of their webquest. By completing this webquest,
students will learn more information surrounding the context that Catcher in the Rye was written in, both
J.D. Salinger’s personal life, and society of New York in general. The more details the student includes, the
more knowledge they will possess to aid their reading and understanding of the novel, as well as the better
their grade will be.
Lesson Activities:
Students will choose a single theme from Catcher in the Rye to build a mindmap on Bubbl.us. At the center of
their map, their theme, chosen from the themes discussed in class and journals, should be broken down into
at least two subcategories. Each category should have three quotes to support a connection to the central
theme and Big Idea question. Lastly, each quote should provide a short explanation/connection to the novel
and why is matters, using proper grammar and complete sentences. This mindmap will aid in writing the
final essay for this unit.

Lesson two:
Webquest: http://donnelly-citr-unit.weebly.com/lesson-2-webercise.html
Websites:
Salinger: https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2011/02/salinger-2011002
Birth of the Teenager: https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2012/02/28/birth-of-the-teenager/
Teenage Bill of Rights: https://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/opinion/TeenageBillofRights_final.pdf
Take a Walk with Holden: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/01/28/nyregion/20100128-salinger-map.html
See Holden’s New York: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSQrA9RsvTc

Lesson Three:
MindMap: https://bubbl.us

General resources:
Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/subject/catcher-in-the-rye/
Salinger documentary: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/jd-salinger-film-salinger/2642/
Crash Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R66eQLLOins&t=1s
Schmoop: https://www.shmoop.com/catcher-in-the-rye/

Useful Websites:
Articles:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/64836/13-things-you-might-not-know-about-catcher-rye
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/04colwe.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/health/05mind.html?scp=7
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinebeaton/2017/02/09/why-millennials-are-lonely/#55d848b77c35
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/08/books/review/catcher-in-the-rye-j-d-
salinger.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FSalinger%2C%20J.%20D.&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&con
tentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection

Unit Website:
http://donnelly-citr-unit.weebly.com/

Class Website:
http://rdonnellyela.weebly.com/