The Perks of being a wallflower
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
takes us through a journey of what growing up in high school is like. Set up like
a diary, the main character Charlie writes us letters that are personal,
humorous, and unexpected. Although Charlie and the recipient of his letters
remain somewhat anonymous, we develop a special bond with him as he shares
parts of his life with us.
Losing his best friend to suicide during his eighth grade year, Charlie begins his high school career on his own with no friends. Befriending him at a football game, Charlie develops a relationship with Patrick, the only senior in his freshman shop class, and Sam, Charlie’s sudden heart-throb. Together, they go through a world of family and friendship dramas, sex, drugs, abuse, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Charlie unravels repressed memories, and how friendship can help to get through the crazy realities of high school—when everyone wants to feel infinite.
Losing his best friend to suicide during his eighth grade year, Charlie begins his high school career on his own with no friends. Befriending him at a football game, Charlie develops a relationship with Patrick, the only senior in his freshman shop class, and Sam, Charlie’s sudden heart-throb. Together, they go through a world of family and friendship dramas, sex, drugs, abuse, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Charlie unravels repressed memories, and how friendship can help to get through the crazy realities of high school—when everyone wants to feel infinite.
Suggested Grade Levels:
Reading Level:
Grade level Equivalent: 6.1
Interest Level:
Grades 9 - 12
Grade level Equivalent: 6.1
Interest Level:
Grades 9 - 12
Goals:
Students will deeply engage in the text via in-class discussion, journal writing , mini-lectures, and projects.
Students will explore character development and make inferences of characters actions and interactions.
Students will use prior knowledge of history to make connections to the novel.
Students will look at literature through the lens of different critical theories.
Students will identify themes and ideas of the novel through class discussions and activities.
Students will explore character development and make inferences of characters actions and interactions.
Students will use prior knowledge of history to make connections to the novel.
Students will look at literature through the lens of different critical theories.
Students will identify themes and ideas of the novel through class discussions and activities.
Common Core standards Aligned with novel unit:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.6
Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1.C
Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions.
Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1.C
Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions.