English: Human Rights & Historical Fiction WWII Unit Plan

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Lesson Title: Human Rights & Historical Fiction WWII Unit Plan
Lesson Authors: Jennifer Schafran
Audience/Course: English/Language Arts 10
Time/Duration: 6 weeks
Context:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2: Determine theme and analyze development through specific details
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.7: Analyze various accounts across different mediums
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.7: Conduct sustained research projects
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1: Participate effectively in collaborative discussions
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7: Translate quantitative/technical information (for SDG data analysis)

Goals and Objectives

Students will:

  • Analyze connections between historical human rights violations and contemporary energy justice issues
  • Research UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Evaluate how clean energy transitions can address historical patterns of environmental injustice
  • Investigate clean energy career pathways and economic opportunities
  • Synthesize literary analysis with data-driven research on sustainable development
  • Create advocacy projects connecting historical lessons to clean energy solutions

Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency, Resiliency Focus

Focus Skills:

  • Research: Evaluating credible sources, including scientific data, policy documents, and advocacy materials
  • Reading: Critical analysis of literature alongside technical and policy texts
  • Writing: Research papers connecting literary themes to sustainable development data
  • Speaking/Listening: Literature circles and clean energy solution presentations
  • Critical Thinking: Connecting historical injustices to current energy inequities

Clean Energy Workforce Connections

UN Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty): Clean energy job creation and economic opportunity

Climate Change/Climate Justice Connections

Primary: SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

  • Target 7.1: Universal access to affordable, reliable energy services
  • Target 7.2: Increase share of renewable energy globally
  • Target 7.3: Double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency

Secondary SDG Connections:

  • SDG 1 (No Poverty): Clean energy job creation and economic opportunity
  • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Energy justice and equitable transitions
  • SDG 13 (Climate Action): Clean energy as climate solution
  • SDG 16 (Peace and Justice): Resource conflicts and sustainable peace

SanDiego350 Partnership Elements:

  • Guest speakers from local clean energy advocacy
  • Student presentations to SD350 members for feedback
  • Connection to local environmental justice campaigns
  • Mentorship opportunities with clean energy professionals

Evidence of Student Learning (assessments)

  1. Clean Energy Career and Article Analysis Project (20% of unit grade)
    • Research 3 clean energy career pathways with education requirements and growth projections
    • Collect and analyze 4 articles on energy justice and SDG progress
    • Interview or research profile of clean energy professional
    • Written synthesis connecting career opportunities to social justice themes from literature
  2. Literature Circle Participation and SDG Connections (30% of unit grade)
    • Daily participation with focus on connecting novel themes to sustainable development
    • Reading journals tracking environmental and economic justice themes
    • Character analysis examining responses to resource scarcity and injustice
    • Final creative project showing connections between historical and contemporary issues
  3. Research Paper: Historical Lessons for Clean Energy Transitions (35% of unit grade)
    • 5-paragraph essay connecting current energy justice issue violations to those that occurred in the past
    • Minimum 8 credible sources including SDG data, policy documents, and advocacy materials for annotated bibliography / 3 minimum for final essay
    • Clear thesis on how historical lessons can inform equitable clean energy transitions
    • MLA format with proper citations, including a Works Cited page
    • Policy recommendation based on research findings
  4. Advocacy Presentation and Class Participation (15% of unit grade)
    • 10-minute presentation proposing clean energy solution informed by historical analysis
    • Daily discussions connecting literature to current events
    • Peer feedback on research and presentations
    • Engagement with SanDiego350 and Youth4Climate partnership activities

Instructions for Learning Activities

Week 1: Historical Context and SDG Introduction

    • Introduction to UN Sustainable Development Goals with focus on SDG 7 (Clean Energy)
    • Formation of literature circles with WWII novels (focus on themes of resource control, displacement, environmental destruction)
    • Begin novel reading with guided questions connecting to resource scarcity and power
    • Introduction to San Diego 350 partnership and local clean energy initiatives
    • Initial exploration: How did resource control contribute to WWII conflicts?

Week 2: Energy Justice and Historical Patterns

      • Continued novel reading focusing on economic and environmental factors in historical conflicts
      • Research workshop: Finding credible sources on energy justice and SDG progress
      • Introduction to clean energy career exploration project
      • Analysis: How do historical patterns of resource exploitation continue today?
      • Guest speaker: San Diego 350 representative on local energy justice work

Week 3: Clean Energy Solutions and Career Pathways

    • Literature circles: Analyzing themes of resistance, innovation, and rebuilding in novels
    • Research focus: Clean energy technologies and job creation (solar, wind, storage, efficiency)
    • Article project: Collecting contemporary sources on energy transition impacts
    • Career exploration: Interview project with clean energy professionals
    • Connection: How do historical examples of resilience inform current solutions?

Week 4: Data Analysis and Environmental Justice

    • Novel discussions: Environmental destruction and recovery themes
    • SDG data analysis workshop: Tracking clean energy progress globally and locally
    • Environmental justice case studies: Who benefits/suffers from energy decisions?
    • Research paper outline development
    • Focus question: How can clean energy transitions address historical injustices?

Week 5: Synthesis and Solution Development

    • Novel completion and final literature circle discussions
    • Research paper drafting and peer review
    • Solution brainstorming: Student proposals for equitable clean energy initiatives
    • Preparation for advocacy presentations
    • Reflection: What lessons from literature apply to current challenges?

Week 6: Advocacy and Presentation

    • Final research paper completion
    • Student advocacy presentations: Proposing clean energy solutions informed by historical analysis
    • Novel project presentations connecting literary themes to SDG goals
    • SanDiego350 partnership showcase: Student recommendations for local action
    • Unit reflection and commitment to ongoing engagement

Resources and Materials

  • Literature:
    • Class sets of WWII novels with environmental/resource themes
    • Articles and news stories on relevant issues
    • Film clips and documentaries
  • Research Materials:
    • UN SDG database and progress reports
    • San Diego energy policy documents
    • Clean energy career resources
    • Environmental justice case studies
    • Local energy data and maps
  • Technology:
    • Research databases and citation tools
    • Presentation software and collaboration platforms
    • Data visualization tools for SDG analysis
    • Video creation tools for advocacy projects
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