Rikers High by Paul Volponi

Title: Rikers High

Author: Paul Volponi

Lexile: 790L

Rikers High is a 2015 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. It follows the story of Martin as he is arrested and sent to jail for a crime he had nothing to do with. After getting caught up in a fight, Martin ends up in a ward where inmates receive a secondary education.

For this learning activity, students will devise a list of character traits that Martin exhibits. This will help them to understand the importance of detail, character development, and the effects that prison can have on a young mind.

Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).

Goal: Students will be able to recognize textual details as support for identifying character traits.

Objectives (Cognitive): Using the book for inspiration, students will make a list of at least 5 character traits associated with the protagonist.

Outcome: Students will be able to relate a character’s development to the narrative, their character description, and their role in the book. 

Sell tool: Here.