Throughout the development of this unit, I have tried to balance serious and mature subject matter with activities and discussions that are developmentally appropriate for 9
th
grade special education students. As with many lesson plans, these will need to be reflected upon and modified depending on how the students access the content. I included multiple essential questions to proactively plan for groups of differing abilities. It is my hope that this unit will not only support them in the general education English I classroom but also help them build an understanding of who they are and how they relate to the people around them.
During my years of teaching in New Haven, I have noticed an increasing need for students to develop their socio-emotional and collaborative learning skills. The increase in the use of technology has created an unforeseen negative effect on the way students connect and interact with one another. It is my hope that this curriculum will help them develop their interpersonal skills and also reached my overarching goal for all of my students to understand what identity is and how it is constructed. I want them to begin to recognize what makes them unique and ultimately understand that although they may come from different backgrounds and learn differently than others, they are still unique and valuable members of our school community and greater society.
