Lawrence A. Baines is chair of instructional leadership and academic curriculum at The University of Oklahoma and former teacher of English, reading and social studies. Jane E. Fisher is a teacher of eighth grade language arts at Whittier Middle School in Norman, Oklahoma. Jane enjoys writing and collecting vinyl records.

• Table of ContentsForewordChapter 1Reading as a Social ActivityRules of the GameAdolescenceSlaying the DeerGood MAP and Bad MAPReading by ChoiceThe Common CoreHow to Use This BookReading to the BRIMSChapter 2Exploring the Future in High SchoolA Fresh StartLesson 1: Clues about CharacterLesson 2: Word ChoiceEnvironmental EffectsLesson 3: Ethics and ActionsLesson 4: The Note-DraftLesson 5: Synthesizing DataIntroducing 1984Lesson 6: One Minute JoltLesson 7: Understanding Words in ContextLesson 8: ConnotationsLesson 9: Rewriting the ConstitutionLesson 10: Rewriting the Gettysburg Address1984, Part TwoLesson 11: Character Clues Lesson 12: The Future of OceaniaLesson 13: The U.S. and the Next 100 Years1984, Part ThreeLesson 14: Character TransformationLesson 15: Film CrewTranscendent Man Research ProjectLesson 16: The SingularityHow Long Will You Live? Research ProjectLesson 17: How Long Will You Live?Exploring the Future HandoutsHandout 1: Clues about CharacterHandout 2: Action Verbs in Lord of the FliesHandout 3: Scenario 1Handout 4: Scenario 2Handout 5: America’s WarsHandout 6: Deaths in Historical PerspectiveHandout 7: Excerpt from 1984 by George OrwellHandout 8: Cool Names for a Band, Uncool NamesHandout 9: Rewriting Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address Handout 10: Getting to Know WinstonHandout 11: Getting to Know JuliaHandout 12: The Future of OceaniaHandout 13: Facts about the United StatesHandout 14: The United States and the Next 100 YearsHandout 15: Evaluation for the United States and the Next 100 YearsHandout 16: The Evolution of WinstonHandout 17: The Evolution of JuliaHandout 18: Checklist and Assessment for Film CrewHandout 19: Directions for Film CrewHandout 20: Kurzweil AI Summary ReportHandout 21: How Long Will You Live?Exploring the Future, Free Resources and Correlations to the Common CoreChapter 3Understanding the Power of One in Middle SchoolIntroduction to ChainsLesson 1: Quick NarrativeEveryday journalsTech-y Check-insLesson 2: Courtroom Debate PrepLesson 3: Courtroom DebateLesson 4: So You Think You Can Dance, 1776Lesson 5: A Guide Map of New YorkLesson 6: Lyrical Message MysteryLesson 7: The Great New York Fire of 1776Lesson 8: A Scar is Worth a Thousand WordsA Day in the Life: Research ProjectTackling Victor HugoLesson 9: Satire Night LiveLesson 10: Frollo: Friend or Foe?Lesson 11: Character Yin-YangsLesson 12: Mythological AllusionsLesson 13: Charter Speed-DatingLesson 14: The Hunchback of Notre Dame,Real to ReelDigging Through the DirtLesson 15: Archaeology Say What?Lesson 16: What’s Your Story?Lesson 17: Fossil BiographiesLesson 18: Archeological VocabularyLesson 19: Symbolism: Cave ArtLesson 20: Look Who’s TalkingLesson 21: Annotating OtziUnderstanding The Power of One HandoutsHandout 1: Courtroom Debate Prep Day 1Handout 2: Courtroom Debate Prep Day 2Handout 3: New York: A Guide MapHandout 4: Lyrical Message Mystery 1Handout 5: Lyrical Message Mystery 2Handout 6: The Great New York Fire of 1776Handout 7: Body Biographies Handout 8: A Day in the Life Research ProjectHandout 9: Satire Night LiveHandout 10: Character ChartsHandout 11: Frollo: Friend or Foe?Handout 12: Character Yin-Yangs Handout 13: Mythological AllusionsHandout 14: Character Speed DatingHandout 15: Reel to Real QuestionsHandout 16: Symbolism: Cave ArtHandout 17: Look Who’s TalkingHandout 18: Annotating OtziHandout 19: Annotation AidsUnderstanding the Power of One, Free Resources and Correlations to the Common CoreReferences

Teaching Challenging Texts takes on an nearly insurmountable goal, seeking to blend a powerful commitment to adolescent-centered teaching with the demands of standards-based accountability and the needs of pragmatic educators. This book succeeds in its goal and should provide thoughtful educators with an invaluable resource as they build classrooms where students and texts matter.