Table of contents:

Page

Introduction 2

Pre-reading activities: 3 - 6Lesson 1 3 – 6

While-reading activities: 7 - 17Lesson 2 7 - 8Lesson 3 9 - 11Lesson 4 12 - 14Lesson 5 15 Lesson 6 16 – 17

Post-reading activities: 18 - 23Lesson 7 18 - 21Lesson 8 22 – 23

Appendix 24 - 28Map with coordinates 24Drawing of the snowball effect 25Notes of important things to remember 26 - 28

1

Introduction

Objectives:- You enjoy reading the book.- You see the positive aspects of yourself and your classmates.- You think critically about how to prevent bullying.- You reflect on the story and see different views on the book.

2

Lesson 1: Pre-Reading activity

Popsong Coolkids by EchosmithYou start this lesson with listening to a popsong called: Cool kids by Echosmith.

Here are the lyrics:

"Cool Kids"

She sees them walking in a straight line, that's not really her style.And they all got the same heartbeat, but hers is falling behind.Nothing in this world could ever bring them down.Yeah, they're invincible, and she's just in the background.And she says,

"I wish that I could be like the cool kids,'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in.I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids."

He sees them talking with a big smile, but they haven't got a clue.Yeah, they're living the good life, can't see what he is going through.They're driving fast cars, but they don't know where they're going.In the fast lane, living life without knowing.And he says,

"I wish that I could be like the cool kids,'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in.I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids.I wish that I could be like the cool kids,'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to get it.I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids."

3

And they said,"I wish that I could be like the cool kids,'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in.I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids.I wish that I could be like the cool kids,'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in.I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids.I wish that I could be like the cool kids,'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to get it.I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids."

Whoa [3x]

Like the cool kids

Discuss in small groups:

- How important is it for you to fit in?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

- Do you wish to be like the cool kids?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4

- How would you feel if you didn't fit in?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Listen to (a part of) of Hannah Baker’s tape.

Questions after you listened to the first tape:

- What happened to Hannah? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now you read Cassette 1: Side A together further in class.

- Hannah warns her listeners to "be careful how you treat people, you never know how it will affect them." Is this something that you need to be reminded of? Do you see a lot of bullying and indifference at your own high school?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5

Hannah didn’t want to live anymore and committed suicide. Do you think Hannah’s fatal story could happen in real life? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Homework: Read Cassette 1: side A (p. 7 – 35)

6

Lesson 2

We start with reading Cassette 1: side B (p. 36 – 53)

- Write down two important things from the chapter we have just been reading. Why are these things so important to remember?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hannah gives her listeners coordinates to follow her story on the map. Describe for every star the name of this place and what happened here.You can find your map on page 24.

Individually:

You have just read the beginning of ‘13 Reasons Why’ and you have been introduced to Clay. You also know that Hannah has committed suicide and that there are 13 reasons why she has done that.

“I hope you’re ready, because I’m about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you’re listening to these tapes, you’re one of the reasons why.”

1. Can you already tell us something about the character of Clay? Is he nice or not? Write down at least three characteristics._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7

2. What could be the reasons Clay receives the tapes? What is his part in Hannah’s death according to you?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Why did Hannah choose to send these tapes to all of her 13 reasons?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What would you have done if you would receive these tapes after someone you knew committed suicide?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now discuss your answers with your neighbour. What are the similarities in your answers and what are the differences?

Similarities Differences

___________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ___________________________

Homework assingment: read Cassette 2: side A and B, p. 54-92

8

Lesson 3

We start with reading Cassette 3: side A, p. 93 - 118Fill in the map as far as you can.

- Write down two important things from the chapter we have just been reading. Why are these things so important to remember?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

- Hannah keeps talking about ‘a snowball effect’. What do you think she means by this?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On page 23 you’ll find a drawing of a snowball effect in 13 steps. The thirteen tapes tell how every situation led to the other. Can you describe for every snowball what happened to Hannah? Characterise the situation and who was involved. Work on this snowball after every new tape during every class.

9

In Japan a boy committed suicide after his teacher ignores his cries for help:

“In the school, the students write a “Diary Of My Life” that they exchange with their homeroom teacher almost every day, and the Mainichi Shimbun has been given all of these notes by the boy’s father. In the notes, the student complained of bullying several times to the homeroom teacher.”

The student discusses suicide in this note. The teacher’s response (in red): ‘Enjoy camp tomorrow!’

Discuss in pairs:

1. What should the teacher have done to prevent this suicide from happening?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What could the boy have done differently, because clearly he didn’t receive his teacher’s help in the way he wanted.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10

3. In Hannah’s case: who could she have turned to to discuss her problems? And why these persons?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Do you think she has done this? Why yes or no?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Homework assignment: read Cassette 3: side B (p. 119 – 148)

11

Lesson 4

We start with reading Cassette 4: side A (p. 149 – 160)Fill in the map and the 13 snowballs as far as you can.

- Write down two important things from the chapter we have just been reading. Why are these things so important to remember? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Individually: “Okay, I just looked over every name –every story- that completes these tapes. And guess what. Every single event documented here may never have happened had you, Alex, not written my name on that list. It’s that simple.”Of course you have a lot of questions for Hannah because you want to know why she did what she did and why she wrote every single one of her bullies. Write down 10 questions you have for Hannah. Think about these questions thoroughly, because your neighbour will answer these questions pretending he or she is Hannah.

1.________________________________________________________

2.________________________________________________________

3.________________________________________________________

4.________________________________________________________

5.________________________________________________________

6.________________________________________________________

7.________________________________________________________

8.________________________________________________________

9.________________________________________________________

10._______________________________________________________

12

When you are finished, you give your questions to your neighbour. Give him or her ten minutes to answer these questions.

Answers:1.________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

2.________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

3.________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

4.________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

5.________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

6.________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

7.________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

8.________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

9.________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

10._______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

13

Now it’s your turn to bring Hannah back to life…You are going to answer your neighbour’s questions and your neighbour is going to answer your questions. And you are not just going to do that, you are going to tape yourself. Just like Hannah did.Of course you don’t have to use and old-fashioned tape recorder. You can just use the ‘dictafoon’ function your mobile phone.

Homework assignment: read p. 161- 193

14

Lesson 5

We start with reading Cassette 5: side A (p. 194 – 208)

Fill in the map and the 13 snowballs as far as you can.

- Write down two important things from the chapter we have just been reading. Why are these things so important to remember?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

‘Everyone’s favorite class....okay, everyone’s favorite required class...is Peer Communications.’ (…)Do you remember this class??“ …., at the beginning of the year, each student received a paper lunch bag to decorate with crayons and stickers and stamps. The we opened our bags and hung them to the rack with a couple of pieces of tape.”

Well, guess what: We are going to do the same!So get some crayons, stickers and other things that will turn your paper lunch bag into the most spectacular, stunning piece of paper you have ever seen .Make sure your name is on the bag in visible letters!You have 20 minutes to decorate your paper bag. By the end of this lesson, you’ll hang your paper bag to the rack your teacher has provided. The teacher will divide te class into different groups of five pupils. Each one of this group drops a note with a compliment regarding this pupil in his or her bag.A compliment can be all kinds of things, be creative, but most of all: be KIND!

Homework assignment: read Cassette 5: side A + B (p. 209 – 231)

15

Lesson 6

We start with reading Cassette 6: side A (p. 232 – 252)

Fill in the map and the 13 snowballs as far as you can.

- Write down two important things from the chapter we have just been reading. Why are these things so important to remember?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This story is told exclusively from Clay’s perspective. The reader experiences Clay’s reaction and emotions to Hannah’s tapes.

- Pick one tape or character - besides Clay - that spoke to you. Which tape or character in this novel did you find the most interesting, shocking, appalling or, quite the contrary, has gotten your sympathy? And why?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Describe what this character might have felt during the listening of their tape? Anger, fear, pain, shame? Illustrate these emotions by writing a short paragraph from the perspective of the character of your choice. Use at least 10 sentences. Of course, it is allowed to write a longer, more detailed paragraph.

Short example: Cassette 2: Side B. Tyler Down. “Nooo, no, no!! I shake my head and turn up the volume. This cannot be real. She found out? How could she possibly know?? My stomach hurts. Who’s hearing this besides me? This is horrible, how much does she know? I sit down on my bed, press pause and try to catch my breath.”

16

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Homework assignment: Read Cassette 6: side B and Cassette 7: side A, p. 253-280

17

Lesson 7: Post-Reading activity

Together: finish the book: Cassette 7: side B and The next day p. 281-288

Discussion in class:

The ending of the book gives the reader hope for a positive change. What does Clay do in the end of the book?

You could say that Hannah's death is not in vain because of Clay’s action. Do you agree? Why or why not? Give your explanation.

Now your teacher will divide the class in smaller groups of 4/5. Discuss the cards below. Take notes of your answers and argumentation – do you agree with each other or were there different opinions? Write your notes on the post-its.

18

How do the rumours about Hannah affect her?

Why do people start them?

19

What are some “small” things your friends have done or said that you still remember?

Can you hold other people responsible for your choices?

What are some things you can do to encourage the people around you?

Even though Hannah says Clay shouldn’t be on the list, he is on it. Does she blame

him or not?

When, if ever, can you be responsible for someone else’s choices?

Why are rumours so powerful?

How would you react if a rumour about you or one of your friends spread, even though it wasn’t true?

Lesson 9

Hannah warns that we must ‘be careful how you treat people, you never know how it will affect them.’ Readers also will realise that inaction --

20

whether to stop a crime or a rumour or talk to a troubled student, friend, or child -- can be just as damaging as deliberately inflicting pain.

In lesson 2 you have started with writing compliments to other pupils and you have received many compliments too! Now it is time to select the compliment you like the most. You share your compliment with others by using Padlet.

Building a digital wall with compliments

Padlet

What is Padlet?

21

A Padlet works like an online sheet of paper where you can put any content (e.g. images, videos, documents, text).

Go to: https://nl. padlet .com/ Your teacher will give you more information on how to sign in.

Double click anywhere on the Padlet. Once you've done that, you can write down your nicest compliment and your name!

Example:

When all of you have finished, look at the screen and enjoy all the positive comments!

22

The best compliment I got is:You are always willing to help others!(Max)

23

24

Important things that I want to remember every time I have been reading. whether it was in class or at home:

Page(s)

Who was the chapter about?

What did I read? Why is this important?

25

26

27