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Before the Lesson: Read Chapters 15-21; Complete Student Packet Worksheets for Chapters 15-21

Activation and Motivation

Engage students in a discussion about the book, by asking them the following questions: "If you were Maniac Magee, would you travel between the East and West Ends of town? Why or why not? Would you be friends with someone like Maniac Magee, someone who doesn’t accept the social rules between groups of people?" Explain that the division of blacks and whites, or the West End and East End, plays a major role in Maniac Magee. The book brings to light segregation and how it impacts people and events in a community. Hand out the “Segregation: Past or Present?” Reading Passage to each student.

Before Reading

1. Read the passage title, introduction, and any captions.
2. Look at any pictures or photographs.
3. Read the first two sentences only.
4. Stop! Brainstorm what you think the text is going to be mostly about.
5. Read and label the Textual Analysis questions with the appropriate skill/strategy.
6. Do not read the answer choices. Spend only a few seconds labeling each question with the appropriate skill/strategy.

During Reading

1. Read the whole section of text that was assigned.
2. As you read, underline or highlight any information that may help you answer the question.
3. Have students answer questions independently.
4. Use the process of elimination for any questions for which you are not positive of the answer.

After Reading

1. Prove all of your answers by underlining or copying evidence from the text. Go back and check your work. Do your answers make sense? Can you prove each answer?
2. Share your answers with the group. Use text evidence to explain why you think an answer is correct.
3. Guidance for Questions 5 and 8:
   • For Question #5: After identifying answer choice “C” as correct, engage students in a discussion around the sarcastic nature of the author’s statement. Ask, "Why didn’t the author simply say that he or she didn’t believe that the U.S. fulfilled its promise?" Extend the discussion by considering answer choice “D.” Discuss the distinction between sarcasm and humor.
   • For Question #8: This question is designed to assess students’ understanding of both the purpose for and main idea of this passage. Allow several students to give and explain their answers, encouraging meaningful, text-based debate.

TIP: