Learning Humanity from a Nonfiction Text

SUGGESTED TIME:

1 class period to introduce the text; 1 class period to discuss the text; if desired, additional class periods can be devoted to in-class silent reading of the text

• The book, All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat, has 31 chapters, plus an author’s note. The suggested reading assignment is 2 chapters per reading session, so students will complete the book in 16 sessions of either in-class silent reading or for homework.
• Have students answer the worksheet questions as they read the book.
• Allow at least 50 min of class time to have a class discussion of the worksheet questions.

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RELATED SUBJECT:

English Language Arts

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LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Read a nonfiction text and understand the central ideas 
• Determine the author’s purpose in the text 
• Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word humanity 
• Write answers to questions about the book, demonstrating an understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar   
• Engage effectively in collaborative discussions about the book

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REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• Nonfiction text:  All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat
• Video: Thailand Cave: How the Thai cave boys were rescued by BBC News (~4 min) 
• Video: Rescued Thai cave survivor shares update 5 years later by TODAY (~5 min)
• Prohuman Grade 7 Unit 9 Worksheet 2: Learning Humanity from a Nonfiction Text

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ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

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CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

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LESSON PROCEDURE

Step 1: 

• Introduce the lesson by stating that we will be reading a book, All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team, by Christina Soontornvat. 
• This book is about an international rescue effort that happened in June 2018 when a boys’ soccer team in Thailand, along with their coach, became trapped in a cave after heavy rains flooded the cave system.
• The boys were trapped for 18 days until they were eventually rescued by a multinational team of divers in a complex and dangerous operation; the incident garnered worldwide attention due to the extreme conditions of the rescue effort. 

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Step 2: 

• This video gives brief explanation about what happened: Thailand Cave: How the Thai cave boys were rescued by BBC News (~4 min) 
• This video shows updates from one of the boys, five years after he was rescued: Video: Rescued Thai cave survivor shares update 5 years later by TODAY (~5 min)

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Step 3: 

• Have students read the book, either as a series of in-class silent reading activities or as homework. Have students complete the worksheet questions as they read the book.

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Step 4: 

• Invite students to a whole-class discussion of the worksheet questions.

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GRADE 7 UNIT 9 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING HUMANITY FROM A NONFICTION TEXT

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QUESTIONS TO ANSWER WHILE READING

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1. What is the name of the cave system in Thailand where the boys became trapped? Why did the boys become trapped?
2. How did the practice of meditation help the boys and their coach?
3. In Chapter 10, what were four things about good leaders that Major Hodges learned from his training?
4. In Chapter 12, what do we learn about the citizenship status of Coach Ek and three other members of the Wild Boars team?
5. In Chapter 12, what are the key things we learn about Buddhism in Thailand?
6. Describe the preparations for the dive rescue, including rehearsals. Lay out the steps of the rescue itself. What were some of the dangers? What problems did the divers and others on the team encounter during the rescue?
7. What different types of technologies did the volunteers use to help rescue the boys and their coach?
8. How does the author structure the story to build suspense? 
9. What lesson does the author emphasize in the Author’s Note as the most significant from this story?
10. One definition of the character strength of humanity is: “I see that every person is special. People are more alike than unalike. We all need to work together to make our lives better.” In this rescue operation, ten thousand volunteers participated, including people from all over the world. What were the different countries from which rescuers came to help the boys and their coach? What does this story teach us about humanity?
11. What is one way that you can show humanity to help others?

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