Skip to main content
Character Education

Nothing But the Truth

book cover
Lesson Plans
Independent Study Lesson Plan
Writing Prompts
Assessments

Summary

Philip Malloy was suspended from school for singing along to "The Star-Spangled Banner" in the classroom. Is his teacher over reacting to his humming? The truth of the story is unclear. Was Ms. Narwin simply trying to be a good teacher? Or could it all be just a misunderstanding gone bad -- very bad? What is the truth here? Can it ever be known?

Nothing But the Truth by Avi

Focus and goals for this unit: Our goal for this unit is for students to write and present a persuasive speech.

Unit Roadmap

  • Unit’s big idea or theme = Justice requires Restraint.
  • Definition: There are things I cannot say or do to any other person, the planet or myself because justice demands it. The actions I take and the decisions I make must respect the rights of all.
  • Ideally this would be posted in your classroom.
  • Word wall ideas—use flags, stars, or stripes to write the words on and post in your class.

Classroom Product— Slant Poster/ T Chart

As the facts of the suspension start to develop create a T Chart or poster to track the different slants that the characters will use.

On one side list the character and the slant that is given (cite the page) on the other side list what actually occurred.

  • Major written product—Argument Essay

Using the Slant Poster/T Chart you completed as a class.

Choose a perspective you feel is the best representation of the events in the novel—the side the represents the truth the best.

            Miss Narwin

            School Administration

            Phillip

Write a 5-paragraph argument to support your claim. Introduce your claim, acknowledge alternate or opposing claims. Organize your reasons and evidence logically. Support credible sources. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify relationships. Establish and maintain formal style. Provide a concluding paragraph and statement that follows form and supports the argument presented in your claim with logical reasoning and relevant evidence.

Pre—read activity.

Read the Afterword

Predict: Look at the front and back cover of the novel. Have students predict what the book will be about.

Cube—have students cube the author.

Go to: http://avi-writer.com/

Use information from the site to fill out the author cube.

Students can use the cube to write a biographical sketch on the author.

Cubes can be strung in class as a mobile.