THE ROOKIE Curriculum Guide
THE ROOKIE Curriculum Guide
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With this 31-page PDF, teachers and tutors can use The Rookie as a teaching tool.
Created by Dr. Sheila Unwin, a teacher with a PhD in Education in Curriculum Instruction and Design, The Rookie Curriculum Guide gives instruction on how to use the GFL series to engage young readers who might not otherwise connect with typical books choices.
Unlocking Engagement & Growth with The Rookie (Galactic Football League, Book I)
Reading Level & Accessibility
- Lexile: Appropriate for grades 5 and above; supports differentiated instruction for upper elementary and middle school.
- High-interest crossover: Engages science-fiction fans and student athletes, helping reach reluctant readers.
What Educators Report
Many students who initially believe they “don’t like to read” become enthusiastic, frequent readers after engaging with the Galactic Football League series—supporting growth in reading confidence, stamina, and lifelong reading habits.
Key Themes for Classroom Exploration
The Rookie provides rich material for discussion, reflection, and cross-curricular integration:
| Theme | Classroom & Library Applications |
|---|---|
| Classism | Analyze social hierarchies and access; compare with historical or contemporary class structures. |
| Economic Discrepancy | Connect to economics/social studies; discuss opportunity, privilege, and resource distribution. |
| Racism | Facilitate conversations on identity, bias, and justice; pair with nonfiction excerpts or complementary texts. |
| Work Ethic | Character study; personal goal-setting; growth-mindset reflections and journals. |
| Integrating into a New Culture | Discuss immigration, belonging, and “otherness”; use role-play, reflective writing, and peer dialogue. |
Why This Guide Matters
- Easy implementation: Integrates into ELA units, literature circles, advisory, or cross-curricular projects.
- Deeper learning: Promotes critical thinking, empathy, and cultural awareness through structured discussion.
- Flexible scaffolding: Supports a range of readers—from developing to advanced—across comprehension and analysis.
- Ready-to-use resources: Discussion questions, extension activities, and cross-curricular connections aligned with current literacy best practices.
For Librarians & Administrators
- Collection development: Dual appeal (STEM/sci-fi + athletics) broadens readership and supports inclusive curation.
- Programming support: Ideal for reading challenges, book clubs, after-school tutoring, and community-building events.
- Engagement goals: Helps increase circulation and participation among reluctant and underrepresented readers.
Free Curriculum Guide: Download the guide to access pacing suggestions, discussion prompts, assessment ideas, and enrichment activities.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
