Mascot

by Charles Waters & Traci Sorell

Mascot is a powerful collection of poetry written in alternating voices that examines a school mascot controversy in a small town. The authors explore how historical symbols impact identity, belonging, and the necessity of listening to multiple perspectives.

Big Idea

Language and symbols have the power to both exclude and unite, and meaningful change requires courage and respectful dialogue.

Discussion Questions

1.Why is it important to listen to people who have a different perspective than you?
2.How do symbols like a school mascot carry history with them?
3.What does the format of poetry allow the authors to express that a traditional story might not?
4.How does the setting of a small town influence the tension in the book?
5.What does it mean to be a good ally in a conflict?

Lesson Plan

⏱ 60 minutes📦 Notebooks, pencils, chart paper, markers.

Learning Goals

Understand the influence of perspective on narrative voice.
Practice using poetic devices to convey complex emotions.
Analyze how historical context informs current cultural symbols.
Demonstrate empathy by writing from an 'other' point of view.

Activity Steps

1.Identify a common object or symbol in the school environment.
2.Discuss as a class how different people might feel about that symbol.
3.Draft a poem from the viewpoint of someone who supports the symbol.
4.Draft a poem from the viewpoint of someone who feels excluded by the symbol.
5.Read poems aloud and reflect on how the tone shifts between the two voices.

Standards Connections

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.6
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.9

Printable Teacher’s Guide

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Pace-Write-Read Study with Pace-Write It!

Mascot teaches the craft of writing by demonstrating how to use brevity and rhythm to build emotional weight. By utilizing multiple voices, the authors show students that a cohesive story can be told through fragmented, yet interconnected, snapshots. Students learn that verse allows for intense focus on specific moments, letting the 'white space' on the page act as a narrative pause for the reader. This teaches young writers to value word choice over volume when crafting poignant messages.

Element	How to notice or teach it in the novel
Pacing	Encourage students to use line breaks to force the reader to slow down during critical revelations.
Plot	Teach students to track the 'emotional arc' of the story rather than just the sequence of events.
Prosody	Discuss how changing the rhythm of sentences can reflect the anxiety or confidence of the speaker.
Word	Emphasize selecting 'anchor words' that carry the historical weight of the poem's theme.
Voice & Worldview	Guide students to adopt an persona that differs from their own to practice empathetic writing.

Pace-Write It!

Spend 20 minutes writing a 'Two-Voice' poem about a playground rule, focusing on how one student loves it and another finds it unfair.

Classroom Activities

Poetic Perspectives Mosaic

Students will write short poems from different perspectives about a common school symbol, mirroring the multi-vocal structure of the book.

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Discussion questions PWR workshop PDF download