Prairie & Pine Curriculum
Hilbilly Elegy Unit Study - Voices of the Working Class (High School)
Hilbilly Elegy Unit Study - Voices of the Working Class (High School)
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Primary Text: Hillbilly Elegy – Dive into J.D. Vance’s eye-opening memoir that explores the struggles and resilience of America’s white working-class, sparking powerful discussions on class and identity.
Engage in Critical Exploration – Students examine essential questions about poverty, social mobility, and persuasion techniques, challenging preconceived notions and fostering deeper understanding.
Real-World Connections – Complete a hands-on cost of living project, analyzing wages vs. essential expenses, and unpack key factors like education, health, and geography that contribute to systemic poverty.
Master Rhetorical Analysis – Study rhetorical appeals (pathos, ethos, logos) in Vance’s narrative to gain a deeper grasp of persuasive writing and the impact of language on argumentation.
Essential Themes – Cover key social issues such as resilience, changing culture, identity, and limited agency in certain communities, broadening students’ perspectives on social and economic challenges.
Build Empathy and Insight – This unit helps students develop a compassionate understanding of the complexities of poverty, preparing them to think critically about these issues in today’s society.
Hillbilly Elegy is not included with this unit study and will need to be purchased separately from your preferred bookstore or retailer.
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Additional Information
Included Activities
At Prairie & Pine Curriculum, each unit study incorporates a variety of activities designed to engage students with literature and critical thinking. Here's a breakdown of the typical activities found across their unit studies:
- Annotation guides to enhance comprehension
- Journal prompts for reflection before and after reading each chapter
- Reading logs to develop close reading and analytical skills. These are customized to each unit study and include grading rubrics.
- Research projects such as mini-research tasks on relevant themes
- Film, music, art, and poetry pairings with assignments that encourage deeper analysis
- Hands-on activities like creating collages, designing market stands, building shelters, or working on botany projects (depending on the unit)
- Vocabulary building exercises to expand academic language
- Essay prompts (analytical, argumentative, and creative) with step-by-step instructions, graphic organizers, and grading rubrics included
These activities offer a mix of creative and academic approaches that cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring a rich, multifaceted educational experience
Bonus Resources
- Informational text graphic organizers, designed to support student comprehension of nonfiction texts.
- Original recipes related to the content of the unit, adding a fun, cultural element that engages multiple senses.
- Exclusive access to a private Facebook group for purchasers, where parents can connect and ask questions directly to the creators for additional support.
These extras offer both enrichment and practical tools for making the curriculum more interactive and enjoyable for students and parents
Parent/Teacher Guide
At Prairie & Pine Curriculum, the Parent Guide is a key component of every unit study, designed to empower parents and help them feel confident in providing a high-quality education to their children. Each guide offers the following:
- Comprehensive Overview: The guide lays out the structure of the unit, including pacing suggestions, key concepts, and how to integrate the material smoothly into your homeschool schedule.
- Step-by-Step Instructions: Whether you’re familiar with the subject matter or new to the content, the guide walks you through each lesson with clear, detailed instructions.
- Grading Rubrics: For assignments like essays, projects, and reading logs, rubrics are included to make assessment straightforward, giving you peace of mind when evaluating your child’s work.
- Supplemental Tips: From how to spark meaningful discussions to ways of enriching your child’s experience with hands-on activities, the guide includes practical advice to enhance learning.
The Parent Guide ensures that parents of all experience levels can feel confident guiding their child through rich, meaningful lessons that foster both academic growth and personal connection