Expanding+the+Novel+Expertise+unit

This unit can be easily expanded for use in any 9th – 12th grade classroom. The teacher can modify the book list to include books more appropriate for certain grade and reading levels and modify the essay length and/or content to make it more appropriate.
 * Expanding Novel Expertise **

Books may be chosen to address specific themes, include specific authors or authorial backgrounds, cater to specific grade or reading levels, or to purposely have widely varying themes and genres.

The final project may be a group project. This saves each student some time and adds a collaborative element to the project. If one group member hates speaking in front of class and another loves it, part of dividing each member's group contribution can involve one student presenting while the other picks up more "behind the scenes" slack. If the whole group participates in the presentation, perhaps each member has a specific connection to make.

This unit explored oppression in general, but it could be modified to specifically address any the following issues or to have books on the list that address many of these topics (to make "mixed book groups" more intriguing and cross-textual connections more exciting).
 * Class issues.
 * Gender issues.
 * Stereotypes.
 * Racism.
 * Oppression.
 * Sexual orientation.
 * A particular discrimination.
 * Political/moral decisions.
 * Socioeconomic status.
 * Multiculturalism.
 * Homelessness.