April 28, 2016 (half day 30 minute schedule)

Unit Topic: The Stranger

Zachary Hardy
Grade level: 12th grade English

Stage 1 Desired Results

Understanding(s)
Essential Question(s):
-Concrete meaning and truth is uncertain in the modern world, -What is the stance of Camus and other existentialist
with some thinkers denying the existence of meaning and
philosophers with regards to meaning and truth?
truth altogether.
-Human life balances between environmental factors and
-How does The Stranger show the conflict between the
individual choices made.
environment and free choice?
-For better or worse, humans are motivated by self-interest
- In what ways is The Strangers Meursault driven by selfinstinctually.
interest?

Student objectives (outcomes):

Students will discuss and respond to philosophical statements extracted from Camuss writings.

Stage 2 Assessment Evidence

Performance Tasks:
Other Evidence:
-Students will respond to philosophical statements
-Quietly think about and respond to questions
individually.
-Respectful participation in discussion
-The class will debate and discuss the statements.
-Quietly composing written response.
-Students will argue their stance on one of the statements in a
written paragraph after the discussion.

Differentiation/ Accommodations for Diverse Learners:

-Accessible statements offer entrance to the text with yes/no responses.
-Students can express stances on statements through writing, dialogue, or physical movement.
Stage 3 Learning Plan
Learning Activities (30 minute class period for half day):

Do-now (5 mins)
-Note any questions you might have about senior projects.
Anticipation guide (25 mins):
-Introduce main ideas of the book and Camuss ideas while passing out handouts, like the denial of Gods existence and
concrete meaning, emphasis on choice and self-interest.
-Students think about and respond to questions (5 mins)
-Discuss questions; students who say yes stand out and students who say no sit down. (10-15mins)
-Students argue their stance for one of the statements on the reverse side of the handout

English 4 | Ms. Reber and Mr. Hardy

Name:_______________________________________

Philosophical Premises of Camuss Existentialism

Directions: Answer the questions below to anticipate the themes of The Stranger and the larger philosophical
system of Existentialism, also known as Absurdism.
1. Existence is absurd and true meaning in life is impossible.

Y/N

2. Day to day existence is filled with anxiety and fear.

Y/N

3. I can only obtain true meaning in life after I have reached a state of nothingness.

Y/N

4. Whether or not God exists is irrelevant because of we control our actions with free-will.

Y/N

5. Political philosophies, religious dogma, societal beliefs are irrelevant to me and do not define me.

Y/N

6. The idea that I am born into a particular time, place, family, and economic environment for a specific reason is
absurd.
7. The most authentic moment in life is death.

Y/N

8. When I am born, I am undefined without any prior essence or preconceived personality or soul.

Y/N

9. Ultimately, I am alone in this world, alienated from everything that attempts to define me.

Y/N

10. In life, I must make choices regardless of whats best for others. I can only choose whats best for me.

Y/N

English 4 | Ms. Reber and Mr. Hardy

Y/N

Name:_______________________________________

Philosophical Premises of Camuss Existentialism

Directions: Answer the questions below to anticipate the themes of The Stranger and the larger philosophical
system of Existentialism, also known as Absurdism.
1. Existence is absurd and true meaning in life is impossible.

Y/N

2. Day to day existence is filled with anxiety and fear.

Y/N

3. I can only obtain true meaning in life after I have reached a state of nothingness.

Y/N

4. Whether or not God exists is irrelevant because of we control our actions with free-will.

Y/N

5. Political philosophies, religious dogma, societal beliefs are irrelevant to me and do not define me.

Y/N

6. The idea that I am born into a particular time, place, family, and economic environment for a specific reason is
absurd.
7. The most authentic moment in life is death.

Y/N

8. When I am born, I am undefined without any prior essence or preconceived personality or soul.

Y/N

9. Ultimately, I am alone in this world, alienated from everything that attempts to define me.

Y/N

10. In life, I must make choices regardless of whats best for others. I can only choose whats best for me.

Y/N

Y/N

Pick one statement from the front and argue in a well-developed paragraph (5-7 sentences) your stance with at
least 2 specific details or scenarios to support it.

Pick one statement from the front and argue in a well-developed paragraph (5-7 sentences) your stance with at
least 2 specific details or scenarios to support it.