Lesson 6: Cluster 3 - Survivor Rulon Gardener Vocab

What does it mean to survive?

What are your circumstances as a high school student? (work a job, drive a car, etc.)
Have you ever been in danger?
Can you see the blood vessels in your arm?
When do you have a lot of energy?
What is your favorite escape?
Would you perspire if you’re playing sports?
How can you stay healthy?
What are some groups you’re a part of?

Blood vessel
Circumstances
Danger
Energy
Escape
Perspire
Physical
System

9.12.8 determine the meaning of words and phrases in oral presentations and literary and informational text.

Reading for comprehension
Writing for comprehension
Understanding and applying vocabulary

To decode figurative language and cross-linguistic barriers (including Fahrenheit vs. Celsius scales).

DOK Level: Level 1 (Recall) & Level 2 (Skill/Concept)

Immigration and Survival Journeys: Many ESOL students or their families have undergone intense physical and psychological journeys to come to the U.S. Rulon’s focus on "taking it one step at a time" and "not getting paralyzed by fear" deeply connects to the real-world mental fortitude required to migrate, adapt to a new country, and face unknown circumstances. The Power of Mindset over Muscle: In many cultures, traditional storytelling emphasizes wisdom, cunning, and mental endurance over brute physical strength. Students can connect Rulon’s realization—that his Olympic strength couldn't save him, but his "game plan" could—to stories and values from their own cultures. Community and Collective Survival: Rulon emphasizes working with his friends to stay awake and survive the night. This heavily mirrors collectivist cultural values where community care and looking out for one's peers is central to overcoming hardship.

Idioms and Figurative Language:
"Hardheaded": Students may take the title literally and think Rulon has a physically hard skull, rather than understanding it as a metaphor for being stubborn, determined, or resilient.
"Nine lives": In many cultures, cats do not have "nine lives" (e.g., in Spanish-speaking cultures, cats have seven lives; in Arabic cultures, they have six). Students might be confused by the number or the concept of a human having multiple lives.
"Sit tight": Students might think they literally need to sit down in a rigid or tight position, rather than understanding it means to stay put and wait patiently.
Measurement and Temperature Systems:
The text mentions "twenty-five degrees" and "98.6° F". Students from countries using the Metric system will confuse this with Celsius is a warm summer day, not freezing; 98.6. Even with the small sidebar conversion notes, this requires careful navigation.
The Nature of Wrestling:
In many parts of the world, "wrestling" implies professional, scripted entertainment (like the WWE). Students may not realize Rulon competed in Greco-Roman Olympic wrestling, which is a strictly regulated amateur sport.
Geography and Terrain:
"Lake Powell" and "Canyon": A lake in a canyon desert environment (Utah/Arizona) might conflict with a student's schema of a traditional lake surrounded by green forests, making the freezing winter conditions confusing.

Sentence starters
Visual aids
Small group instruction

Classwork

Exit ticket 

Slides

Extension