Fire From the Rock

By: Sharon Draper

Presentation by: Sarah Haefer

Unit Objectives
Students reading Nonfiction:
- I can tell how characters respond to problems R.L. 5.2
- I can tell how people, events, or concepts are related. R.L. 5.3
- I can use texts to locate an answer to solve a problem. RI 5.7

Inference
While looking at the cover, write down:
- four things you notice about the cover
- three questions you have
- two things you think of when you hear 1957

Inference - Setting the Stage

The year is 1957 and the city is Little Rock, Arkansas.
Central High School is about to be integrated. Sylvia is
fifteen, and she is asked to be put on the list of students
who will make history. But it means leaving her friends, her
new boyfriend, and giving up all social activities. Should
she remain safe and happy? Or dare to make a difference
that might even threaten her life? What would you do?

Little Rock - School Integration

Culture of 1957
music and dancing
commercial
cars

Vocabulary
You will draw a vocabulary word. You will be
given time to look up and research your
term. You will then present your findings to
the class.

boycott
discrimination
segregation
integration
intolerance
tolerance
prejudice

bigotry
resistance
courage
non violence
anti semitism
swastika
persecution

Personal Response
Students will write a letter to one character
after reading the novel. This letter will
include their feelings on the events this
character has gone through, questions they
may have, and support they would offer.

Looking Back
Should she remain safe and happy? Or dare to
make a difference that might threaten her life?
What would you do?
Write your response to these questions now that you have
read the novel.
Do your responses clash or stay the same?

Other Books to Consider

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Martins Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor