Language Arts

Grade 8 / Week 6Standards Covered this Week

LAFS.8.L.3.4.a: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases using context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

LAFS.8.L.3.4.d: Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).

LAFS.8.RI.1.2: Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.

LAFS.8. RI.2.5: Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.

Name

Teacher

A Note to ParentsThis week, we are continuing our unit entitled “Alien Encounters,” and your student will read the informational article “What is the Ingroup Bias?” by Kendra Cherry. At some point this week, your student will need to access the text from last week, “The Star Beast,” so please make sure that is still available.

Here are some optional online resources to support or extend your student’s thinking: Access an online version of the text, “What is the Ingroup Bias?,” with audio read-aloud, translation tools, and

annotation tools. The best way to access the link is to go through your CommonLit tile on ClassLink. https://www.commonlit.org/en/texts/fyc-what-is-the-ingroup-bias

Video: Crash Course on Psychology – Prejudice & Discrimination https://youtu.be/7P0iP2Zm6a4

Day 1, Activity 1: Vocabulary

Based on the context sentence and the photo, write down your best prediction for the definition of each word. One is done for you.1. Arbitrary

2. Bias

3. Exclusion

4. Tendency

Below are the dictionary definitions for the above vocabulary words. Fill in corresponding definitions. Were your predictions close?

randomI guessed “random” because I know the lottery numbers aren’t picked ahead of time; they just pop up on balls in a machine

1. Arranged without any reason or plan; random2. An unfair personal opinion that affects the way a person acts3. When someone or something is left out; rejection4. A habit or trend toward a specific type of thought or action

Day 1, Activity 2: Quick WriteThink back to the last text you read, “The Star Beast.” In your opinion, why were the humans unable to acknowledge the creature’s intelligence? Explain.

Day 2: Active ReadingToday, we’re going to read “What is the ingroup bias?” This informational text will help us further explore why the humans in “The Star Beast” treated the creature the way they did.

About this Text: Kendra Cherry is the author of The Everything Psychology Book. In her writing, Cherry often explores why humans behave the way they do. In the article you are about to read, she explores how humans behave within groups by focusing on something called ingroup bias. As you read, pause to answer the questions beside the text.

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Day 3, Activity 1: Fill-in-the-Blank ScenarioFill in the blanks using the correct vocabulary word to complete each scenario. Then, explain why the vocabulary word best fits based on context clues provided in the scenario. You may have to change the form of the word (ex: go, going, gone).

Arbitrary Bias Exclusion Tendency

1. People often believe that the decade they grew up in was the best. This proves that memories and emotional

connections from a young age have power over a person’s beliefs and preferences.

People are toward their childhood because

2. Before Rosa Pars’ famous refusal to give up her seat on the bus, Georgia Gilmore faced her own bus

discrimination. She promised herself she would never ride a bus again after a bus driver drove off without her

after telling her to enter through the back of the bus. Feelings of anger and frustration led Gilmore to feed and

support the people who participated in the Montgomery bus boycott.

Georgia Gilmore experienced when

3. The math teacher wanted to prove to her class that her formula worked with any number combination, so she

had her students shout out numbers that she should use in her example problems.

The math teacher chose numbers because

4. A study of a GPS cat tracker revealed that most cats stay within two football field distances from their house

when wondering outside.

A of cats to stay nearby was revealed by

Day 3, Activity 2: Concept Development

Use the graphic organizer below to reflect on your understanding of the key concept in this informational article, ingroup bias. When including details from the text that contribute to understanding the concept, be sure to include details from different sections of the text.

Ingroup BiasMy original understanding of the words – Refer to your vocabulary activities and discuss your thoughts about the word “ingroup”

New idea or example from the reading – Include the paragraph number and then summarize the new information in your own words

New idea or example from the reading – Include the paragraph number and then summarize the new information in your own words

My revised understanding of the concept – Combine the ideas from the text into a statement describing fully what you understand about ingroup bias

How I arrived at this understanding – What helped you understand this article? Did you have to re-read any section? Did you make a connection to something you already know about?

Day 4, Activity 1: Application of VocabularyAnswer each question in 1-2 complete sentences. Make sure that you use the underlined vocabulary word in your answer.

1. Would a school with arbitrary rules be successful? Why or why not?

2. When have you made a decision or judgment based on your personal bias?

3. Describe a character from a book, TV show, or movie who experienced exclusion.

4. How do you tend to react when face-to-face with a conflict?

Day 4, Activity 2: Multiple Choice Questions

Day 5: CROSS-TEXTUAL ANALYSISYou have read “The Star Beast” and “What is Ingroup Bias?” In a short response, explain how the idea of ingroup bias can be used to explain why the humans in “The Star Beast” treated the creature the way that they did. Use evidence from both sources to support your answer.