Explore Tristan Bancks' thrilling novel about a young boy facing challenging decisions. This unit will develop your text response skills through analysis of character, setting and theme.
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Novel: Two Wolves by Tristan Bancks
Duration: 8 weeks
Focus: Developing text response skills using TEEL structure
In this unit, we will explore Tristan Bancks' exciting novel about Ben Silver, a young boy who faces challenging decisions when his parents take him on an unexpected "holiday." As we read, we'll analyze how Bancks creates challenging settings, develops complex characters, and explores themes of family, loyalty, and morality.
You'll develop your analytical writing skills through regular TEEL paragraph practices and build toward a complete text response essay by the end of the unit.
Learning Intention: To understand the novel's premise and begin analyzing character and setting.
This week we'll begin our exploration of Two Wolves by examining the cover and blurb, making predictions about the story, and meeting the main character, Ben Silver. We'll also read the first two chapters and complete comprehension activities.
Learning Intention: To learn how to effectively incorporate quotes into analytical writing.
This week focuses on the essential skill of using textual evidence in your analysis. We'll learn how to select relevant quotes, integrate them into our writing, and explain their significance. You'll practice these skills through structured activities.
Learning Intention: To analyze how Bancks creates nature as a challenging setting.
This week we'll focus on how Tristan Bancks portrays the natural environment as challenging and threatening to Ben. We'll analyze specific techniques used to create this atmosphere and practice writing TEEL paragraphs about setting.
Learning Intention: To analyze how Ben's home environment is presented as challenging.
This week we'll examine how Ben's home life and family dynamics create challenges for him. We'll analyze the author's portrayal of Ben's family relationships and practice writing TEEL paragraphs about home as a setting.
Learning Intention: To analyze challenging character relationships in the novel.
This week we'll focus on the complex relationships between characters in Two Wolves. We'll analyze how Bancks develops challenging characters and their impact on Ben, practicing our TEEL paragraph writing skills.
Learning Intention: To develop full text response essays using TEEL structure.
This week we'll build on our TEEL paragraph skills to develop complete text response essays. We'll focus on structuring introductions, planning essays, and connecting our paragraphs to create cohesive analytical writing.
Learning Intention: To refine and complete text response essays.
This week we'll focus on refining our essay writing skills. We'll work on developing strong arguments, improving our analysis, and structuring effective conclusions. You'll have the opportunity to receive peer feedback on your drafts.
Learning Intention: To complete and submit final text response essays.
In our final week, you'll complete and submit your text response essays. We'll also reflect on the novel's conclusion and discuss the themes and ideas explored throughout the unit.
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Track your progress and reflections throughout the unit
Build your analytical writing skills week by week
Deepen your understanding of key novel sections