Light In August Lesson Plan

Addressing Racist Stereotypes and Slurs

Kind of Activity:

Group Discussion

Objective:

Students will engage in a critical discussion of the presence of the racist stereotypes and slurs present in the novel.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.11-12.1; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.11-12.3; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.11-12.7; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.11-12.9

Structure:

At this point, students should have finished the novel.

Throughout the novel, racist stereotypes and slurs appear in the dialogue between characters. Lead students in a discussion about the presence of these stereotypes and slurs within the work. Emphasize upfront that the discussion should remain...