Free Homeschool English & High School ELA Reading and Writing Resource: Grades 9-10

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Free Reading Comprehension and Writing Resource: Grades 9-10

Are you looking to engage reluctant readers and writers? Your high school students will love my latest units based on high-interest topics such as surfing, baseball, soccer, boxing, football, and baseball. This complimentary sample resource is based on the legendary Hawaiian football star and recent "catfish" victim Manti Te'o.

This resource is designed for 9th and 10th grade students and shares a glimpse into the inspirational life and struggles of Hawaiian football player Manti Te'O.

This lesson provides a platform for critical thinking, interdisciplinary connections, and appreciation for the broader significance of sports figures.

By the end of this lesson, your students will not only have a greater understanding of Manti Te'O's life and struggles, but will also have strengthened their reading comprehension and writing skills. They will be inspired by Te'O's tenacity and encouraged to set their own goals, all while developing a greater sense of global awareness and environmental responsibility.

This 20 Page Bundled Resource Includes:

two page article on legendary Hawaiian football player Manti Te'o
level one reading comprehension assessment
answer key for level one comprehension
level two reading comprehension assessment
answer key for level two reading comprehension
reading reflection questions
answer key for reading reflection questions
3 paragraph prompts
3 sample paragraphs
ELA CCSS Grades 9-10
paragraph writing rubric
lesson plans
links to the other high-interest resources based on sports and famous athletes

Is this text right for you and your students? Give it a quick read below:

Manti Te'o: Hawaiian Football Star and Catfishing Victim

In the world of sports, stories of triumph, dedication, and perseverance inspire us all. One such inspiring figure hailing from the beautiful island of Hawaii is Manti Malietau Louis Te'o, a football player whose journey from the Aloha State to the pinnacle of the NFL is nothing short of extraordinary. Manti Te'o's story serves as a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and resilience.

Manti Te'o was born on January 26, 1991, in Laie, a small town on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Growing up, Te'o was deeply connected to his Polynesian heritage, which emphasized family values and a strong work ethic. His parents instilled in him the importance of education and sports. Football soon became a passion for the young Manti, and he excelled in the sport while attending Punahou School, the same school attended by another famous Hawaiian, former President Barack Obama.

Te'o's football career took a significant turn when he joined the University of Notre Dame's Fighting Irish. During his time at Notre Dame, Te'o's incredible abilities as a linebacker were on full display. He became a key player for the team, earning numerous awards and honors. In 2012, he was a Heisman Trophy finalist, a remarkable accomplishment for a defensive player, showing just how exceptional he was on the field.

During that same year in 2012, Te’o’s resilience and character would be put to the ultimate test. Te’o announced publicly that his grandmother and girlfriend had died within days of one another. Te'o's commitment to playing despite this personal tragedy was widely covered in the media, and he received an outpouring of sympathy and support from fans. However, it was later revealed that the girlfriend never actually existed, which created an enormous backlash from fans who felt like they had been deceived.

Manti Te'o claimed he never intentionally deceived his fans and was the victim of a “catfishing” hoax, a practice where someone creates a fake identity online to deceive others. Manti Te'o shared his story in a documentary years later. He claims he had been in a long-distance online relationship with a woman named Lennay Kekua, whom he believed to be real. Te'o had formed a deep emotional connection with this person, but it turned out to be an elaborate and cruel prank.

It was in January 2013 when the hoax came to life and it was revealed that Lennay Kekua never existed. It turned out that the online persona and photos associated with Kekua were a fabrication. The person behind the hoax was identified as Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, a family friend of Te'o's who had created the fake online profile. Tuiasosopo confessed to the hoax, explaining that he had initially created the persona of Lennay as a way to communicate with Te'o, and he never intended for the hoax to go on for so long or get so out of hand.

Manti Te'o’s initial public reaction was one of shock and embarrassment, and his story became the subject of intense media scrutiny and debate. The girlfriend hoax had a significant impact on Manti Te'o's reputation. While he maintained that he was an innocent victim of catfishing, many questioned how he could have been so deeply involved with someone he had never met in person. Some critics accused him of being complicit in the deception to gain sympathy and publicity. However, there was no concrete evidence to suggest that he had been directly involved in the creation of the fake girlfriend.

The incident led to a decline in Te'o's public image, but it did not prevent him from continuing his football career. He was eventually drafted into the NFL and continued to play at the professional level. In retrospect, the girlfriend hoax remains a unique and somewhat puzzling chapter in Manti Te'o's life. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online relationships and the importance of verifying the authenticity of individuals we interact with on the internet. Te'o's experience is a reminder that even public figures can be victims of deception and manipulation.