Grade: 8 Quarter: 2

Unit 3: The Adoration of Jenna Fox and Ethics in Science

By the end of the unit, students will answer the following writing prompt:

In this unit, you have read a novel in which the parents of the main character choose to have her undergo major biological and mental reconstruction in order to keep her
alive. As she learns about what her parents have done, Jenna questions how much of her is still "Jenna", how much of her is still human.

Consider the difficult choice Jenna's parents made to keep her. Do you think they were right in the decision they made, or was what they did to her after the accident
fundamentally wrong? Take into consideration the challenges Jenna faced in the novel, both psychologically and physically, as well as the impact her situation had on her
family, friends and society. Write an argument that states your opinion clearly and is supported with evidence from this text, as well as supplemental nonfiction texts
considered in this unit. Remember to acknowledge counterclaims and organize your ideas clearly in your paper.

Week Mentor texts

Supplemental
text/Multimedia
Standards Informal Assessment
Reading Writing Speaking/
Listening
Language
1 The Adoration of Jenna
Fox, by Mary E. Pearson
The Antibiotics that Could
Kill You, CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2014/
04/22/opinion/blaser-
antibiotic-winter/
We need more new
antibiotics, CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2013/
06/13/opinion/boucher-
antibiotics-approval/


Antibiotics for people, not
animals, LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/opin
ion/op-ed/la-oe-hansen-
antibiotic-overuse-20131023-
story.html
Various political cartoons
http://myscientificways.word
press.com/2011/10/26/is-
there-any-escape-from-the-
rise-of-antibiotic-resistant-
species/
Drug-resistant and anti-
immunization political
cartoon
http://www.cagle.com/tag/dr
ug-resistant-antibiotics/

Standard:
RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.6

Strategy/Skill:
Anticipation Guideagree or
disagree with statements about
bioethics, genetic modification
and quality of life
Identify themes/central ideas
and points of view in the novel,
informational texts and
multimedia.
Analyze how the structure of a
text contributes to the
development of the ideas
Point of View QuickWrite:
What is your POV on the issue
of antibiotics?


W.8.5, W.8.10 SL.8.1, SL.8.3 L.8.1, L.8.2,
L.8.5, L.8.6
Close Read of
Political Cartoons
Theme/POV
analysis
Point of View
Quick Write
Vocabulary Notes


2 The Adoration of Jenna
Fox, by Mary E. Pearson
Genetically Modified Foods
The GMO Debate, in a
Nutshell (Infographic)
http://www.care2.com/greenl
iving/gmo-debate-in-a-
nutshell-infographic.html
Standard:
RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.6

Strategy/Skill:
W.8.5, W.8.10 SL.8.1, SL.8.3 L.8.1, L.8.2,
L.8.5, L.8.6
Argument piece:
Should GMOs be
more strictly
regulated in the
United States, or
Pros-Cons
http://healthresearchfundin
g.org/pros-cons-genetically-
modified-foods/
Harvest of Fear: Should We
Grow GM Crops?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/h
arvest/exist/
Genetic Engineering Animals
Pros-Cons
https://www.animallaw.info
/article/detailed-discussion-
genetic-engineering-and-
animal-rights-legal-terrain-
and-ethical


Fresh Farm Produce Political
Cartoon
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v2
GFIISzHOU/R-
s6B3E5L9I/AAAAAAAAAKU/gN
j1KjK64Mc/s400/Genetically%
2BModified%2BFood.jpg

Feeding the Masses Political
Cartoon
http://www.rodalenews.com/
gmo-risks

Eating with a mask on political
cartoon
http://www.gaiahealthblog.co
m/wordpress1/wp-
content/uploads/2013/01/G
MO-cartoon.jpg

Scarecrows political cartoon
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
SR1Y46B7AzY/UkccHTEIICI/AA
AAAAAAAUc/91ND6-
58LNE/s1600/0a2.jpg

Cloned Meats political
cartoon
http://www.jillstanek.com/clo
ne%20cartoon.gif

Identify themes/central ideas
and points of view in the novel,
informational texts and
multimedia.
Analyze how the structure of a
text contributes to the
development of the ideas,
using Claim/Evidence/Warrant
Interpret information
presented in different media or
formats by analyzing political
cartoons
Determine the meaning of
unknown and multiple-
meaning words and phrases
Write an argument piece:
Should GMOs be more strictly
regulated in the United States,
or are the policies currently in
place sufficient to keep the
public safe?



are the policies
currently in place
sufficient to keep
the public safe?
Close Read of
Political Cartoons
Vocabulary Notes
3 The Adoration of Jenna
Fox, by Mary E. Pearson
Stem Cell Science and the
Preservation of Life, George
W. Bush, NYTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/2
001/08/12/opinion/stem-
cell-science-and-the-
preservation-of-life.html
Obama Lifts Bushs Strict
Limits on Stem Cell
Research, NYTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/2
009/03/10/us/politics/10ste
Stem Cell Research Political
Cartoons
http://nicolela101heportfolio
psu.blogspot.com/2012/04/vi
sual-arguments-against-
embryonic-stem.html,
http://www.cagle.com/news/
cloningandstemcells/page/3/


Standard:
RL.8.1, RL.8.7, RL.8.8, RL.8.9

Strategy/Skill:
Research pros and cons of stem
cell research
Write an argument piece: Is it
important to continue efforts in
stem cell research, or is it
unethical to conduct this type
of research?



W.8.1. W.8.7,
W.8.8, W.8.9
SL.8.1, SL.8.3 L.8.1, L.8.2,
L.8.5, L.8.6
Research notes
Claim/Evidence/
Warrant chart
Argument: Is it
important to
continue efforts in
stem cell research,
or is it unethical to
conduct this type
of research?

m.html?module=Search&ma
bReward=relbias%3Ar&_r=0
4 Review previously read texts
and conduct additional
research to support
argument paper
Standard:
RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.6

Strategy/Skill:
Trace and evaluate an
argument and specific claims in
a text
Continue research on
bioethical issues related to the
novel and begin Argumentative
Writing piece (response to
prompt)
W.8.1. W.8.4,
W.8.5, W.8.9
SL.8.1, SL.8.3 L.8.1, L.8.2,
L.8.5, L.8.6
Research notes
Argumentative
graphic organizer
that includes
claim, evidence,
warrant, and
counterclaim/
rebuttal
First Draft of
Argumentative
Writing based
on the unit
prompt
5 Review previously read texts
and conduct additional
research to support
argument paper
Standard:
RL.8.1, RL.8.2, RL.8.6

Strategy/Skill:
Continue Argumentative
Writing piece
Debate an issue in bioethics
Revising and Editing for
Standard English Conventions
Use visuals/multimedia to
support argument
W.8.1. W.8.4,
W.8.5, W.8.9
SL.8.1, SL.8.3, SL.8.5 L.8.1, L.8.2,
L.8.5, L.8.6
Debate
Revising/Editing
Checklists
Conferences
Presentation of
argument and
defense of claims
using evidence

*note: Bold standards indicates when new standard is introduced
**note: standards highlighted are the focus standards for the week

Extension Activity: Students research an issue in bioethics. List of issues in bioethics (a good starting point) http://www.bioethics.org.au/Resources/Bioethical%20Issues.html
Professional resources and related texts:
Links to several lesson plans and related book lists: http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=10481&s=n
Other Read-A-Likes are listed here: http://www.yourlibrary.ws/ya_webpage/ritba/ritba10/adorationjennafox.htm